Types of Maps based on Scale, Content, and Form High School Geography Lessons

Types of Maps based on Scale, Content, and Form High School Geography Lessons

As explained above, according to the Big Indonesian Dictionary (KBBI), the definition of a map is a picture or painting on paper and so on that shows the location of land, sea, rivers, mountains, etc. This map is a representation through an image of an area that states its properties, such as regional boundaries, surface characteristics, and floor plan.

Meanwhile, as reported from the Geography Module book for class The symbols on this map function as an illustration of the earth’s surface and its appearance.

The International Cartographic Association (ICA) defines a map as a depiction or representation of abstract elements of the Earth’s surface and related to celestial bodies.

According to the National Survey and Mapping Coordinating Board (Bakosurtanal), maps are a vehicle for storing and presenting data on environmental conditions and are a source of information in decision making, especially in the development sector.

Map Types Based on Scale, Content, and Form

Types of Maps Based on Scale

1. Cadastral map

A cadastral map is a type of map that has a scale between 1: 100 to 1: 5,000. Generally, this map is used to describe the area of land or land certificates.

2. Large scale map

This type of map is a map that has a scale between 1: 5,000 to 1: 250,000. This map is used to describe narrow areas, for example village maps, sub-district maps, sub-district maps, and city maps.

3. Medium scale map

This medium scale map that has a scale between 1:250,001 to 1:500,000. The area coverage depicted on this map includes islands, provinces, and so on.

4. Small scale map

This type of small map has a scale between 1:500,001 to 1:1,000,000. The areas depicted are also quite large, for example one country.

5. Geographic scale map

This last type of map has a smaller scale, namely 1:1,000,000. Due to its small scale, the area included in the map is wider. Maps that have this small scale are usually continental maps and world maps. For example, maps of countries in Asia, maps of countries in Africa, maps of states on the American continent, maps of countries in Southeast Asia and so on.

Types of Maps Based on Their Content

General Map

Shows all of the earth’s surface in terms of physical nature, natural or man-made. This map provides general information. For example, topographic maps, landform maps, chorography maps, etc. A general map is a type of map that depicts the appearance of the earth, whether natural or cultural phenomena. General maps are divided into three, namely topographic maps, chorographic maps, and world or geographic maps.

A topographic map is a type of map that depicts the earth’s surface complete with its relief. The depiction of the relief of the earth’s surface on a map is drawn in the form of contour lines. A contour line is a line on a map that connects places that are almost the same height.

A chorographic map is a type of map that depicts all or part of the earth’s surface which is general in nature and usually of medium scale. An example of a chorographic map is an atlas. A world or geographic map is a type of general map that is very small scale with very wide area coverage.

Special Maps (thematic maps)

This displays specific appearance information. The use of symbols matches the theme in the map title. Examples are land use maps, population density maps, tourist attraction distribution maps, and so on.

Maps Based on Shape

1. Flat maps or two-dimensional maps, regular maps, or planimetric maps

This map is flat and is made on a flat surface like cloth. These types are described using different colors or symbols.

2. Embossed maps or three-dimensional maps or stereometric maps

The map created is almost the same as the actual situation on earth. Making embossed maps using 3-dimensional shadows so that the shapes of the earth’s surface look like the original.

3. Digital map

Based on the name, this type of map is created using the help of a computer. Digital maps can display data stored in computer memory. To view it, this digital map is displayed on a computer monitor screen using the map info and arc info programs.

4. Line map

This line map presents natural data and man-made features in the form of points, lines and areas.

5. Photo map

A map produced from a mosaic of aerial photos equipped with contour lines, names and legends.

Knowing Map Functions

In general, the map function can be divided into several parts as follows:

• To show the position or location of a place on the earth’s surface.
• To show the size and direction of a place on the earth’s surface.
• To describe shapes on the earth’s surface, such as countries, continents, mountains, rivers and other shapes
• To help researchers before conducting a survey when they want to know the conditions of the area to be studied.
• To present data regarding the potential of an area.
• Become a tool to explain proposed plans.
• Becomes a tool for studying the interrelationships between geographic phenomena on the earth’s surface.

So, that’s the definition of a map complete with its types and functions. Hope it is useful!