TOPIC

Using scale
4.3 27 28 29

52 52
Scale tells us to what extent distance on the ground
has been reduced to fit on the map. If a topographic
map has a scale of 1:25 000—which means that
every centimetre on the map shows 25 000
centimetres on the ground—everything has been
reduced or scaled down 25 000 times to fit on paper.
As well as showing scale as a ratio and a line
scale, Australian topographic maps often express
scale as a word statement. The word statement on 51 51
1:250 000 topographic maps, ‘1 cm to 2.5 km’,
means that every centimetre on the map shows or
represents 2.5 kilometres. Remember, 1 centimetre
never equals 2.5 kilometres.

Study the following extracts in this chapter from

topographic maps of the Quirindi area: 50 50
27 28 29
• Figure 4.1 Extract from the Quirindi 1:25 000 Scale 1:250 000
map sheet (see page 43) 0 5 10 15 20
• Figure 4.7 Extract from the Tamworth Kilometres
1:250 000 map sheet 4.7 Extract from the Tamworth 1:250 000 map sheet.
All extracts this page copyright © Commonwealth of
• Figure 4.8 Extract from the Tamworth and
Australia, Geoscience Australia, 15 Febuary 2008
Murrurundi 1:100 000 map sheets.
1 Write the scale of each map as a word 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83
14 14
statement.
2 Draw three columns in your workbook. Label
13 13
each column with a map name and scale. Then
in each column make brief notes describing
what the map at that scale shows you about 12 12
the area around Quirindi—landforms, roads,
railway, farms, surrounding centres etc. 11 11
3 List what each map shows about the town of
Quirindi in the relevant column. Which map 10 10
shows the most detail? Explain your answer.
4 If you were visiting Quirindi and wanted to walk 09 09
up Who’da Thought It Hill, which of the three
maps would be most useful? Why? 08 08

Large-scale and 07 07

small-scale maps
The smaller (or shorter) the distance on the ground 06 06

shown by 1 centimetre on the map, the larger the

scale. Large-scale maps show a small area of the 05 05
75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83
Earth’s surface in a large amount of detail.
Scale 1:100 000
On a small-scale map, 1 square centimetre shows 2 1 0 2 4 6
a larger area (and 1 centimetre shows a greater
distance) than on a large-scale map. Small-scale Kilometres
maps show less detail than large-scale maps. 4.8 Extracts from the Tamworth and Murrurundi 1:100 000
map sheets have been joined to create this map.

48 KEY SKILLS IN GEOGRAPHY

 c Most people walk at about 3 kilometres
per hour. How long will it take you to
walk the measured distance at that speed?
1 Which of the three maps of the Quirindi area
How close is this to your estimate?
(Figures 4.1, 4.7 and 4.8) shows you the most
detail? What is its scale? d What does this tell you about scale?
2 Which map shows you the largest area? Why?
3 Which of the three maps would you describe as
Using distance to compare
large-scale? Give reasons for your answer. map scales
4 Which of the three maps is small-scale? Why do Measuring distance on a map allows us to compare
you say this? scales and the amount of detail shown on maps at
different scales.
Measuring distance
Topic 2.5 shows how to use scale to measure
distance on a map. Refresh your memory about 1 Using the 1:250 000 map extract of the
measuring distance in a straight line and around Quirindi area (Figure 4.7), measure the
bends. Check how to use the line scale. distance by rail from Braefield railway station
(GR281505) to Quirindi railway station.
a What is the distance on the map?
Use Figure 4.1, the extract from the Quirindi b Using the map scale, how many centimetres
on the ground does 1 centimetre on this
1:25 000 map sheet, to answer the following:
map show?
1 What is the straight-line distance from:
c Multiply your answer in part b by the
a Who’da Thought It Lookout (GR783108) distance you measured on the map in part
to Quirindi post office (795115)? a, then convert your answer in centimetres
b the reservoir at GR785104 to the road to kilometres. What is the answer?
bridge across Quirindi Creek (GR792111)? d Next, use the line scale and the map
c Melaleuca homestead (GR778095) to distance to find the distance on the ground.
Carbeen homestead (GR801085)? e What do you notice about your answers in
d the silos (GR796120) to the railway bridge parts c and d? What does this tell you?
(GR795110)? 2 Using the 1:100 000 map extract of the
2 a Measure the distances along: Quirindi area (Figure 4.8), measure the
i the two-lane sealed road from its distance by rail from Braefield railway station
junction with Corboulds Lane (GR814656) to Quirindi railway station.
(GR809076) to its junction with Duke a What is the distance on the map?
Street (GR794099)
b Using the map scale, how many centimetres
ii the Main Northern Railway from on the ground does 1 centimetre on this
the crossing on Corboulds Lane map show?
(GR809076) to Quirindi railway
c Multiply your answer in part b by the
station
distance you measured on the map in part
b How did you measure these distances? a, then convert your answer in centimetres
Make a list of the steps you used. to kilometres. What is the answer?
3 You live on the corner of Loder and Fitzroy d Next, use the line scale and the map
Streets (GR792103) and you need to walk distance to find the distance on the ground.
along the main road to post a letter at the post e What do you notice about your answers in
office (GR795115). parts c and d? What does this tell you?
a Estimate how far you think this is and how 3 What is the map distance between Braefield and
long it will take you to walk. Quirindi railway stations on Figures 4.7 and
b Now measure the distance by road. How 4.8? What distance on the ground does each
far do you have to walk? How close is this map distance show?
to your estimate?
4 What does this tell you about map scale and the
amount of detail shown on maps at different
scales?

Chapter 4 WORKING WITH TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS 49