1. MAP READING SKILLS

2. WHAT IS A TOPOGRAPHICAL MAP?
A topographical map is a map that shows human and natural / physical features to scale on the Earth’s surface.
It also shows that the location of human features or settlements is influenced by the nature of the physical landscape.

3. Elements of a topographical map
Title
PULAU UBIN 46 45 44 43 42 N
Grid lines
Contours
Names of places
North arrow

4. Identify and label the elements of a topographical map
Find the 4 fig grid ref of the quarry and Ladang Koyan
Find the 6 fig grid ref of X and the mosque

5. title
grid lines
contour
lines
scales

6. map symbols
legend or key

7. GRID REFERENCES Vertical lines on topo maps are called eastings
Horizontal lines are called northings
Together they are called grid lines
They help to find locations on a map

8. northings
eastings 24 23 22
grid squares 21 31 32 33 34

9. GRID REFERENCES
The four – figure grid reference is used to find a location on a grid square
The six – figure grid reference is used for more accurate location

10. 55
northings 54 34 35
eastings

11. FOUR FIGURE GRID REFERENCE55 54 34 54 34 35

12. FOUR FIGURE GRID REFERENCE55 33 55 54 34 35

13. SIX FIGURE GRID REFERENCE55
northings 54 34 35
eastings

14. Six-figure grid reference55 9 8 7 6
northings 5 4 3 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 54 34 35
eastings

15. Six-figure grid reference55 9 8 7 6
northings 5 4 3 2 1 54 34 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 35
eastings

16. Six-figure grid reference55 9 8 34 3 54 7 x 7
northings 6 5 4
eastings 3 2 7 8 9 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 54 34 35

17. Six-figure grid reference55 9 8 7 6
northings 5 34 4 54 4 Z 4 3 2 7 8 9 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 54 34 35
eastings

18. REMEMBER:
Always read the eastings first
then
the northings

19. SCALES

20. SCALES Scales are used to show distance on a map
Can be represented in many ways
Use line scale and representative fraction in topo maps

21. What is wrong with this map?
There is no scale.
Cannot indicate distance.
How big is this area?

22. Type of scale
Representative fraction

23. Type of scale
Line scale

24. Measuring distance by a representative fraction
Tracing the route with a piece of string
Measuring straight distance with a ruler 1:

25. MEASUREMENT Use a string to align between the 2 points Mark the points
Use a ruler to measure in cm
Multiply by the scale given in the map
Divide by to get the answer in km

26. DIRECTIONS

27. COMPASS DIRECTIONS NNW NNE NORTH WEST NORTH EAST WNW ENE WEST EAST WSW
ESE
SOUTH WEST
SOUTH EAST
SSE
SSW
SOUTH

28. Using compass directions
Give directions to the boatman to steer his way out of the jetty to reach the island.

29. What problem do you think can happen if we use this method of giving directions?
Lacks accuracy

30. COMPASS BEARINGS 0° 360 ° 45 ° 315 ° 90 ° 270 ° 135 ° 225 ° 180 ° NNW
NNE
45 °
315 °
NORTH EAST
NORTH WEST
WNW
ENE
90 °
270 °
WEST
EAST
ESE
WSW
SOUTH EAST
SOUTH WEST
225 °
135 °
SSE
SSW
SOUTH
180 °

31. What is the direction of the mosque from Saujana Hill?
southeast N

32. What is the direction of the school from Saujana Hill?
southeast N

33. What is the direction of the dam from Upper Mandai II?
Northeast
North

34. North
Southeast
What is the direction of the school from the pier?

35. What is the bearing of the school from Upper Mandai II?

36. What is the bearing of Upper Mandai II from the school?

37. Y 0° X 90° 180° To find the bearings of (Y) from (X)
For bearings from less than 180 °
Draw the North line that is
parallel to the eastings on
the map From X
Read bearings in the
clockwise direction Y 0°
Draw a line to join
X and Y X
90°
Align protractor along the North Line
with 0° corresponding to North
180°

38. 0° Y X 90° 180° To find the bearings of (Y) from (X)
For bearings more than 180 °
Draw the North line that is
parallel to the eastings on
the map From X
Read bearings in the
anti-clockwise direction, then
subtract from 360° 0° Y
Draw a line to join
X and Y X
90°
Align protractor along the North Line
with 0° corresponding to North
180°

39. N

40. Find the bearings of the mosque from Saujana Hill?0°
106° N

41. Find the bearings of the factory from the mosque?0°
77° N

42. Find the bearings of the mosque from the factory?0°
360° - =
254°
106°
74° N
180°
180° + 74° =
254°

43. Find the bearings of Saujana Hill from the mosque?
360° - 72° = 288°
180° ° = 288° N

44. RELIEF & CONTOUR LINES

45. How to show this landform on a topographical map?

48. Relief Shape of the land
Shown on a topo map using point symbols and contours
Point symbols are used to show specific heights
Contour lines are also used to show height or elevation

49. Contour Lines
lines joining places of similar height above sea level

50. contour lines

51. Contour interval is 10 m Contour interval
- The difference in height between two contour lines
20m
30m
40m
Contour interval is 10 m

52. Contour interval
20m
40m
60m
Contour interval is 20 m