Page 136 - SST Class 06

indicate the north. This line is called the north SKETCHES
line. There are four cardinal or main directions as A sketch is a free-hand drawing of a map or
shown in the diagram. These are called the picture of an area or route of travel. It shows
cardinal points. The directions are north [N], enough detail and has enough accuracy to satisfy
south [S], east [E] and west [W]. If the map does special tactical or administrative requirements.
not show the north line then the top of the map
Sketches are useful when maps are not available
is considered as north.
or the existing maps are not adequate or to
These directions help us to find the location of illustrate a reconnaissance or patrol report.
one place from another. Look at the two figures Sketches may vary from hasty to complete and
here. Suppose, we have two villages, X and Y. To detailed, depending upon their purpose and the
find the direction of village X from village Y, we degree of accuracy required. For example, a
first join the two places with a straight line. Then, sketch of a large minefield will require more
we draw a horizontal and a vertical line at village accuracy than a hasty sketch of a small unit's
Y to indicate the cardinal points. We now see defensive position.
that village X lies to the south-east of village Y. PLANS
Distance and direction are both necessary to fix A city or a town has many buildings and struc-
the position of one point from any other point. tures that cannot be shown in detail in maps or
Conventional Signs and Symbols sketches. If we want to show the complete layout
Whenever, tourists visit a new place, they usually inside a building we make a drawing called a
take the help of a map in order to study the area plan. These are usually made by architects who
properly. Maps use a variety of signs and sym- design houses and building. Whenever a house is
bols which any traveller from any part of the constructed or a building is planned, architects
world can understand. This means that there is first make detailed plans or layouts to show how
an international understanding for using the they should be constructed. These show the
same manner. These are called conventional actual sizes of rooms, the location of staircases,
symbols. In physical maps different colours show doors and windows and so on.
different landforms. Green is used for plains, COLOURS ON MAP
yellow for deserts, brown for highlands and blue
Cartographers use color on maps to represent
for oceans and seas. These really make maps
certain features. Color use is always consistent on
very attractive. With the help of all the features, a single map and often consistent across different
one can interpret any map with ease. types of maps made by different cartographers

and publishers.
TRY THIS
Many colors used on maps have a relationship to
Create a map of an imaginary place that you would an object or feature on the ground. For example,
like to visit. Consult your teacher and use regular blue is almost always the color chosen for water.
conventional symbols to indicate different natural
Several of the Principle Colors Include :
and man-made features of this place. When you have
Blue – water (streams, lakes, permanent
finished, pass the map to your friend and let her or
snow fields, glaciers, etc.)
him interpret it. You can do the same for your friend’s
map. Green – forest and vegetation
White – a general lack of vegetation

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