SSCE121

Section B - Geography
 Outcomes
• Upon completion of this Study Unit you should be able to:
• recognise the different types of maps and explain the use of each;
• calculate the map reference number of a 1:50 000 topographical map, as
well as indicate the relationship that exists between the map reference
number and the coordinates on the map;
• indicate the grid reference of objects on maps according to their
longitudes and latitudes;
• distinguish between the various scales on maps;
• use different types of scale, as well as, enlarge or diminish scales by
means of various methods;
• construct various types of line scales;
• read directions off on a map;
• calculate distances on maps by means of various methods;
• calculate the area of surfaces spaces on maps by means of various
methods;
• measure bearing and determine magnetic bearing on a map;
• calculate magnetic declination;
• work together in a responsible way as a group to master map skills and
interpretation; and
• read and interpret maps and aerial photos.
 Study unit 10 - Basic
Mapwork:
• Coordinates
• Map types
• Map reference
• Direction, bearing and magnetic
declination
• Scales and Measurement
 Coordinates

• Earth
o Not a sphere, but a globe or geoid
o Coordinates are 2D locations on the earth's 3D surface.
o Coordinates require a value for two axis:
1. Latitude (or parallels) run horizontally ‘connecting’
West to East, famous examples are the Equator (0°),
the Tropic of Cancer (23.5° N) and the Tropic of
Capricorn (23.5° S). Latitudes are used to inform us
how far we are from the Equator (or middle of the
Earth). Latitudes run from 90° N to 90° S
2. Longitudes (or Meridians) run vertically connecting the North
pole with the South pole and are routinely used as timelines.
The most well known examples are the Greenwich Meridian
(0°), and the various timelines (15° = 1 h). Longitudes run
from 180 ° W down to 0° and then again up to 180° W.
(1) Coordinate Grid Parallels
North pole = 90° N= lines of latitude:
0°…90° N
Meridians 0°…90° S
lines of longitude (360°)
W 180°…0°…180° E

Northern
hemisphere

Equator = 0°

Southern
hemisphere

Since 1851: N-S line passing through Prime

Royal Observatory, Greenwich, EnglandMeridian = 0°
 Nor
Geographical th
(90 pole
Coordinate °N
) Polar (arctic)
System circle (67.5° N)

T ro
pi
Can c of
Pr (23 cer
.5°
Me ime N)
r
(0° idían
E/ W

0 km
)

30 0
Equ
a
(0° tor
N/S
)

T ro
p
Antarctic Cap ic of
r
(23 icorn
circle (67.5° .5°
S)
S) Sou
th
(90 pole
° S)
 A: 27° 30'
00" S,
Coordinates 26° 30'
-+ 00" E
26° 30' 00" E B: 35'
26° 27° 33'
00"
00" S,
27° 30'
00"S A 26 ° 34'
00" E
- +1 minute
South from
+

+2 minute
South from
A

B +3 minute
27° 33' South from
00"S A

+1 minute +2 minute +3 minute +4 minute +5 minute

East from East from East from East from East from
A A A A A
 C: 27° 32' 00" S,
26° 30' 20" E
Coordinates D: 27° 31'
-+ 25,71"/34,29" S,
26° 30' 00" E 31' 34' 26 ° 34'
26° 00"
35' E
00"
27° 30'
00"S
Verticaly: 1,75 cm: 1' =

2 cm
- 60"
1 cm = +1 minute
South from
+

34,29" z = 0,75
A
Horizonal: D cm

1 cm
OR 60" –
1,5 cm 34,29
1,5 cm: 1' = 1,75 cm
60" Y 1 cm =
1 cm = 40" C (1 34,29"
cm) +2 minute

0
South from
X 1/2 cm = A
(0,5 cm) 20"

0,5 cm
+3 minute
27° 33' 0 1 cm 2 cm 3 cm
South from
00"S A

+1 minute +2 minute +3 minute +4 minute +5 minute

East from East from East from East from East from
A A A A A
 Practical 1: Maps and the SA reference
system
• Maps (Reference system diagrams):
o 1: 50 000 map 1° x 1° quadrants (Big Quad) with their subsections (Small
Quad):
• Each primary quadrant is 30’ x 30’ e.g. Vanderbijlpark that is in 2627D
27°E 28°E

25°30'0"S
• The quadrants are
C D labelled 'Z'-wise “A”, “B”,
27° E “C” and “D”.
26° S A • This quadrant is further

26°0'0"S
26°S
B
A B broken up in four 15’ x 15’
A B A B A parts (this is the area
C D
C D
shown in a 1:50 000
topographic map).

26°30'0"S
A B A B • These four parts are also
Potchefstroom
C D C labelled 'Z'- wise “A”, “B”,
Vanderbijlpark

D C
C D C D “C” and “D”.
• e.g. Vanderbijlpark is 27°0'0"S
27°S

2627 DB

µ
26°15'0"E 26°30'0"E 26°45'0"E 27°0'0"E 27°15'0"E 27°30'0"E 27°45'0"E 28°0'0"E 28°15'0"E 28°30'0"E

1:1.000.000
1: 50 K Map Quadrants 0 5 10 20 Kilometers
o How to get a coordinate from a map: DMS – Degree Minute Second

1st : See what coordinates you have:

• Corner is given 26° 30' S, 27° 30' E 2627 DB Vanderbijlpark
• A graticule or 'Grid'-border with dark/light sections of 35'
unknown DMS length with 1 Latitude & longitude
given on it

27°E 28°E
B

25°30'0"S
C
A

26°0'0"S
26°S
26°30'0"S
A
Topo-
Potchefstroom
map
Vanderbijlpark 36'
27°0'0"S
27°S

µ
26°15'0"E 26°30'0"E 26°45'0"E 27°0'0"E 27°15'0"E 27°30'0"E 27°45'0"E 28°0'0"E 28°15'0"E 28°30'0"E

1:1.000.000
1: 50 K Map Quadrants 0 5 10 20 Kilometers
2nd: Complete grid, if required

2627 DB Vanderbijlpark
30' 31' 32' 33' 35'
3
34'
0'
27°E 28°E
B
31

25°30'0"S
'
C
A 32

26°0'0"S
26°S
'

33
'

26°30'0"S
A
Topo-
Potchefstroom
map
Vanderbijlpark 36'
34
37'
'
27°0'0"S
27°S

µ 35
26°15'0"E 26°30'0"E 26°45'0"E 27°0'0"E 27°15'0"E 27°30'0"E 27°45'0"E 28°0'0"E 28°15'0"E 28°30'0"E

1:1.000.000
1: 50 K Map Quadrants 0 5 10 20 Kilometers

'
3rd: Measure the length, on the map, for the Longitudes and Latitudes for this map.
For this example :
• 1' E/W = 30mm on the map
• 1' N/S = 50 mm on the map 2627 DB Vanderbijlpark
o Now this means that the distance as we 30' 31' 32' 33' 35'
3
measure it with a ruler between 34'
0'
31' – 32' E => 1 Minute AND 30 mm
o Or 60 seconds = 30 mm B
31
• 60" = 30 mm
÷30 mm ÷30 mm '
• 2" = 1 mm C
• This means that every 1 mm that we A 32

50 mm
measure represents 2 " E/W
'

o And that the distance as we 3

measure it with a ruler between 3'
30 mm
33' – 34' S => 1 Minute AND 50 36'
mm
o Or÷50 60
mm seconds
3
=
÷5050
mm mm 37'
4'
• 60" = 50 mm
• 1 10/50" = 1 mm 1mm = 2" E/W 35
• 1,2" = 1 mm '
1mm = 1,2" N/S
• This means that every 1 mm
4th: Find the 'x' and 'y' coordinate of the points (A, B and C)
o 4B) decide from where you are going to measure wit h a ruler (in mm)

o For example A (Longitude): 2627 DB Vanderbijlpark

o We can measure (mm) from the
30' 31' 32' 33' 35'
• 31' line to A ( ) Eastward 3
34'
• 32' line to A ( ) Westward 0'
• Or even the 30' edge to A
B
• The values would be different 31
• If it was 15mm (FROM 31') '
• It would have been 15mm (FROM 32') C
• But 30+15 mm from the 30' edge A 32

50 mm
'
o For example A (Latitude)
o We can measure (mm) from the 3
• 31-32' line to A ( ) Southward 3'
30 mm
• 33' line to A ( ) Northward
36
• Or even the 30' edge to A
'3
• The values would be different 37
• If it was 45 mm (FROM 32') 4'
'
• It would have been 5 mm (FROM 33') 1mm = 2" E/W 35
• But 50+50+45 mm from the 30' edge
'
1mm = 1,2" N/S
 DMS – Degree Minute Second
5 : Translate measured mm to the measured DMS
th

o For A (Longitude):
o IF we measured from the 31' line to A
mm = 15; 1 = 2" E/W /mm
d
un

30' 31' 32'

W

33' 35'
fo

E/

3
1m at e

i.e. 15 x 2 = 30 " Eastward

2"
th ut w

34'
=

0'
B

B
o IF we measured from the 32' line to A 31
mm = 15; 1 = 2" E/W /mm '
C
i.e. 15 x 2 = 30 " Westward A 32

50 mm
'
o For A (Latitude):
o IF we measured from the 32' line to A 3
d

/S
un

N
fo

3'
2"

mm = 45; 1 = 1,2" E/W /mm

1m at e
th ut w

1,

30 mm
=

36'
B

i.e. 45 x 1,2 = 54" Southward

m

3
37'
o IF we measured from the 33' line to A 4'
mm = 5; 1 = 1,2" E/W /mm 1mm = 2" E/W 35
i.e. 5 x 1,2 = 6" Northward '
1mm = 1,2" N/S
 Map projection types
• Projection
o Shining of light through a film (or electronic equivalent) so that an
enlarged version of an image is shown on a screen or plane [2D
dimension]
o These first map projections where known as
perspective projections and were largely
replaced by mathematical projections

• Types
o We get two ways to differentiate between projections
• Plane or type of 2D dimension we are using to project to
o Planar
o Cylindrical
o Conic
o Other (Customized)

• Projection mechanism of, or rules for, the light paths

o Orthographic: Light rays parallel to each other
o Stereographic: External single-point source
o Gnomonic: Internal single-point source
 Map projection types

• Types (continued)
o The plane can further be described based on how it
intersects with the globe as:
• Equatorial or 'Normal': at 90° along a Parallel {like
the equator}
• Transverse: at 90° along a Meridian
• Oblique: along any other great circle

• Other terms
o Great circle
• "A line corresponding to the circumference of the Earth"
• the shortest route between 2 points on Earth is along a
great circle that runs through both points
o Rhumb line
• "A line on a sphere that cuts all meridians at the same
angle; the path taken by a ship or plane that maintains a
constant compass direction"
http://www.progonos.com/furuti/MapProj/Normal
/TOC/cartTOC.html
- A good description of map projections
 Maps and the SA reference system

• Maps (Reference system diagrams):

o 1° x 1° quadrants (Big Quads) over SA:
16°E 17°E 18°E 19°E 20°E 21°E 22°E 23°E 24°E 25°E 26°E 27°E 28°E 29°E 30°E 31°E 32°E 33°E 34°E

22°S

23°S
Latitudinal lines
24°S

25°S

Mafikeng
26°S

Potchefstroom
Vanderbijlpark
27°S

28°S

29°S

30°S

31°S

32°S

33°S

34°S

35°S

Longitudinal lines
1° x 1° large quadrants over SA 0 50 100 200 Kilometers
1: 8.000.000

µ
 Maps and the SA reference system

• 4 main SA map series'

o 1: 10 000 Orthographic photos (e.g. 3318 DB Paarl 25 )
• 3' N/S x 3' E/W
• 25 per 1:50 000 map;
• Name: Lat Long Big Quad Small Quad Largest settlement Orthophoto place
o 1: 50 000: Topographic map (e.g. 3318 DB Paarl)
• 15' N/S x 15' E/W
• 1919 maps covering SA
• Name: Lat Long Big Quad Small Quad Largest settlement
o 1: 250 000 e.g. (3318 Paarl)
• 1° N/S x 1° E/W
• 70 maps covering SA
• Name: Lat Long Largest settlement
o 1: 500 000
• 1° N/S x 2° E/W
• 22 maps covering SA
• Name: Lat Long Largest settlement

• Lat Long designates the latitude and longitude coordinates of the north
western (top-left) corner of the map. When it is a part of the name only
degrees are used NOT any minutes(’) nor seconds (”)
• Big Quad Small Quad relates to the one degree Latitude and one degree
longitude quadrants that house 16 1:50 000 maps
Maps and the SA reference system
 Maps and the SA reference system

• Maps:
o 1: 10 000 Orthographic photos (e.g.
• 3' N/S x 3' E/W
• 25 per 1:50 000 map, 1919 x 25 maps, many unavailable.
• Name: Lat Long Big Quad Small Quad Largest human
settlement Orthophoto place
 Maps and the SA reference system

• Maps:
o 1: 50 000:
• 15' N/S x 15' E/W
• 1919 maps covering SA
• Name: Lat Long Big Quad Small Quad Largest settlement
 Maps and the SA reference system

• Maps:
o 1: 250 000
• 1° N/S x 1° E/W
• 70 maps covering SA
• Name: Lat Long Largest human settlement
 Maps and the SA reference system

• Maps:
o 1: 500 000
• 1° N/S x 2° E/W
• 22 maps covering SA
• Name: Lat Long Largest settlement
 Maps and the SA reference system

• Maps (Reference system diagrams):

o 1° x 1° quadrants (Big Quads) over SA:
16°E 17°E 18°E 19°E 20°E 21°E 22°E 23°E 24°E 25°E 26°E 27°E 28°E 29°E 30°E 31°E 32°E 33°E 34°E

22°S

23°S
Latitudinal lines
24°S

25°S

Mafikeng
26°S

Potchefstroom
Vanderbijlpark
27°S

28°S

29°S

30°S

31°S

32°S

33°S

34°S

35°S

Longitudinal lines
1° x 1° large quadrants over SA 0 50 100 200 Kilometers
1: 8.000.000

µ
 Maps and the SA reference system

• Maps (Reference system diagrams):

o 1: 50 000 map 1° x 1° quadrants (Big Quad) with their subsections (Small
Quad):
• Each primary quadrant is 30’ x 30’ e.g. Vanderbijlpark that is in 2627D
27°E 28°E

25°30'0"S
• The quadrants are
C D labelled 'Z'-wise “A”, “B”,
27° E “C” and “D”.
26° S A • This quadrant is further

26°0'0"S
26°S
B
A B broken up in four 15’ x 15’
A B A B A parts (this is the area
C D
C D
shown in a 1:50 000
topographic map).

26°30'0"S
A B A B • These four parts are also
Potchefstroom
C D C labelled 'Z'- wise “A”, “B”,
Vanderbijlpark

D C
C D C D “C” and “D”.
• e.g. Vanderbijlpark is 27°0'0"S
27°S

2627 DB

µ
26°15'0"E 26°30'0"E 26°45'0"E 27°0'0"E 27°15'0"E 27°30'0"E 27°45'0"E 28°0'0"E 28°15'0"E 28°30'0"E

1:1.000.000
1: 50 K Map Quadrants 0 5 10 20 Kilometers
 Maps and the SA reference system

• Maps (Reference system diagrams):

o Remember that the first part of the 1: 50 000 map name (i.e. the
“2627”) indicates the primary quadrants’ northwest corner and not the
maps’ northwest
27°E 28°E

25°30'0"S
corner coordinates
C D • This means that the
27° E 28° E map 2627 DB
+ 45’
26° S A Vanderbijlpark north-

26°0'0"S
26°S
E
B
A B west corner (Green
A B + 15’ A B A dot) will be at:
S C D
C D 26° 30’S 27° 45’E

26°30'0"S
+ 30’ A B A B
S
C D
Potchefstroom • The blue point shows
C
Vanderbijlpark

D C
the northwest corner
C D C D
27° S of the next quadrant
27°0'0"S
27°S

2628 and is at:

26° 0’S 28° 0’E
µ
26°15'0"E 26°30'0"E 26°45'0"E 27°0'0"E 27°15'0"E 27°30'0"E 27°45'0"E 28°0'0"E 28°15'0"E 28°30'0"E

1:1.000.000
1: 50 K Map Quadrants 0 5 10 20 Kilometers
 Maps and the SA reference system

• Maps (Reference system diagrams):

o 1: 50 000 map example:
2627 BA Randfontein

27°30'
26°00'

2626 2626 2626

CC DC DD

2627 2627
2627
AB BB
BA

2627 2627 2627

AC DA DB
 Direction, bearing and magnetic
declination
• Map:
o Is a 2D (flat) simplification of a real world surface
o Factors that determine the map size is:
• The detail required
• And the actual size of the area covered

• Map scale:
o Large scale is closer to 1:1; shows a smaller real world area than a
1:## on the same size map, where ## >> 1.
o Is the ratio between the distance on the map and its
real world equivalent
o Factors that determine the map scale is:
• The map’s purpose
• The detail required
• Area size represented
Direction, bearing and magnetic declination

• True North and magnetic north:

o True North is fixed to the North Pole
o Magnetic north is the north that is
generated by the earth’s magnetic
field. The field is quite dynamic requiring
the magnetic north pole moves and
waxes and wanes

Magnetic North
Pole positions

Reversals occu
r on average
every 250 000
years
Northern
Hemisphere
Direction, bearing and magnetic declination

• Magnetic declination:
Remember there are 60' in 1°..
o Magnetic declination from true north at year (YYYY 1) =
MagnDecyyyy1° E/W of TN with a mean annual change of (Д).
where Д = 0°#' East OR Westwards, and TN = True North

o The Magnetic declination today :

Magnetic declination current year = MagnDecyyyy1 -/+ Total change
Sign: if the change is in the direction of the yyyy1 declination
then ADD, if it is in the opposite direction subtract.
Total change = time passed in years x mean annual change
= (current year) - YYYY1 x Д
Direction, bearing and magnetic declination

• Magnetic declination (continued):

o Example 1:
2530AB Lydenburg 1:50 000 topographical map (on effundi):
o YYYY1 = 1988; MagnDec1988 = 15° 06' W of TN; Д = 3' Westwards/year
Total change = time passed in years x mean annual change
= (current year) - YYYY1 x Д
= 2012 – 1988 x 3' Westwards
= 24 * 3 Westwards
= 72 ' Westwards OR = 1° 72-60' = 1° 12' Westwards

o Magnetic declination2012 = MagnDec1988 +/- Total change (+; same direction)

= 15° 06' W of TN + 1° 12' Westwards
= 16° 18' W of TN
If Change was eastwards instead of Westwards then sign ( - ):
15 ° 6' W – 1 ° 12' E
= 14 ° [6' W– 12' E]
= 13 ° [66' – 12'] = 13 ° 54' W of TN
Direction, bearing and magnetic declination

• Direction and bearing:

o Direction: is given in the one of
sixteen
broader directions
22.5

o Bearing: measured in degrees from a

certain reference point, usually True
67.5
North, written as 0°/360° and
increasing clockwise
 Scales and Measurement
LARGE scale = 1 or 1:1
vs.
 Covered pages 34-51 small scale = 0.00001 or 1: 100 000
• Scale:
o Ratio between the distance between 2 points on a map
vs. the actual distance in the real world
o Horizontal scale (map ~ 1:# x 1 000) and vertical scale
(e.g. profile ~ 1:3) are two different scaling dimensions
o 3 ways of expressing scale (map vs. real distance):
• Lexical/word: 1 unit represents 50 000 units (units need not be
the same)
• Ratio: 1 : 50 000 or 1/50 000… Same type of unit
• Bar/Graphical:
Open-divided bar scale

Closed bar scale

 Scales and Measurement

• Lexical/word Scale to ratio:

o 1 unit represents 50 000 units
o e.g. 1 cm repr. 322 km
o i.e. 1 cm repr. 322 km but there are 100 000 cm per 1 km or
cm/km
1 cm repr. 322 km x 100 000 cm/km
1 cm repr 322 x 100 000 km x cm/km
1 cm : 322 00 000 cm
1 : 32 200 000

• Ratio scale to Lexical/word :

o 1 : 50 000 … ? Unit repr. ? Unit  1 meter repr. # kilometers
e.g. 1 m repr. 50 000 m but there are 1000 m per 1 km
1 m repr 50 000 m x 1000 m/km  ## m2/km .. ? 
1 m repr 50 000 m ÷ 1000 m/km  ## km 

1 m represents 50 km on a 1: 50 000 map.

 Scales and Measurement

• Measurement and its calculations:

o Units (1 dimension or linear):
Kilo- Hecto- deca- meter deci- centi- milli-
Km hm dam m dm cm mm
1 0 0 0
1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Practice (km ↔ cm): Going from a BIG UNIT
Km → cm : # km x (10 or (100 000) = #To
2 2 2 5 )
cma
2
small unit we multiply
cm → km : # cm ÷ (10 = # km
2 2 2 5) 2
- because there are MORE small
i.e. 1 km = 1 000 m or 103 m ones in a single big one
1 km = 105 cm
1 km = 106 mm Going from a SMALL UNIT
1 m = 100 cm [1x100] To a big unit we divide
- because there are single big one
…
1 cm = 0.01 m [1÷100]
contains many small ones in it
 Scales and Measurement

• Measurement and its calculations:

o Units (2 Dimensions/ aerial):
Km2 hm2 dam2 m2 dm2 cm2 mm2
(1 0 0 0 0 0) 2 = (105)2 = 1010
(1 0 0 0 0 0 0) 2

Practice (km2 ↔ cm2):

Km2 → cm2: # km2 x (105 x 105) or (1010) or (10 000 000 000) = # cm2
cm2 → km2: # cm2 ÷ (1012) = # km2

i.e. 1 km2 = 1 000 000 m2 or 106 m2

1 km2 = 1010 cm2
1 km2 = 1012 mm2 2 dimensions:
Means we do the measurement
Hectare: 1 ha = 10 000 m 2
conversion twice (2x multiplication
 Scales and Measurement

• Measurement and its calculations:

o Methods of measurement (distance):
• Linear, Curved/segmented, rotameter
o Calculation of area:
• Block method
o Strip method though only using blocks or block paper

• Strip method
o Draw strips over the target feature with a standard breadth
(usually 1 cm or 10 mm suffices on a 1: 50 000 map)
o Try to align the strips to start at the ‘bottom’ of the feature
o Measure area (length x breadth) of the strips [MapArea]
o Take note of the map scale e.g. 1:50 000
o Real area = MapArea x Scale Denominator2 {in the unit you measured
in}
o Convert units to something more appropriate…
• Remember that you are working with areas i.e. [unit x unit]
 Scales and Measurement

o Calculation of area (continued):

• Triangle method
o Area of a triangle is: (base length x vertical height) / 2
o Draw triangles covering the target feature
o Calculate the area of each triangle, by using their base length
and vertical height
o Add all areas and convert units to something more
appropriate

• Planimeter (instrument) – see page 49

(Practical Reader)
 Scales and Measurement

o Calculation of area (continued):

• Block method example
o Draw a grid of same sized blocks over the
1 cm study area, i.e. length = breadth
o Count the blocks that include more than half
1 cm the feature ( in the e.g.), and calculate the
area of one block
o Total area = (Number of blocks) x (block area)
= n x Ablock
e.g.
n = 14; Ablock = l x b = 1 cm x 1cm = 1 cm 2
...
Total areaMap = n x Ablock
= 14 x 1 cm2 = 14 cm2
Area Realworld = Total Area x Scale denominator 2
= 14 x (50 000)2
= 3,5 x 1010 cm2 {÷1010 km2 →
cm2}
= 3,5 km2
 Scales and Measurement

o Calculation of area (continued):

• Strip method example
o Works just like the block method except strips/
rectangles are used instead of using blocks
l4 = 1.8 o First draw horizontal/vertical lines at a fixed
b = 1 cm interval (1 cm usually is good enough)
Strip4 o Then start and finish the strip where you deem
l3 = 4.9
appropriate.. To include more of the feature
Strip3 than the outside area
l2 = 4.2
o Calculate the area of each strip (length x breadth)
Strip2 o Total area = Sum of the area of all the strips
l1 = 2.9 = ∑ (lx x b)
Strip1 o e.g.
Area of Strip1 => A1 = 1cm x 2,9 cm = 2,9 cm2; .. A2 = 4,2 cm2; A3 = 4,9 cm2; A4 = 1,8
cm2
Total areaMap = A1+A.. + A4 = 13,8 cm2
Area Realworld = Total Area x Scale denominator2 = 3,45 x 1010 cm2 {÷1010 km2 → cm2}
= 3,45 km2
 Scales and Measurement

o Calculation of area (continued):

• Triangle method example
o Divide the feature up into triangles, determine their base (b#) and vertical
height (v#)
oArea of a triangle = (base x vertical height)÷2
oRemember that the vertical height runs perpendicular
Δ2 h2 (90°) to the base
b2
h3 e.g.
Δ3 b1 = 3,3; h1 = 0,5; b2 = 4,3; h2 = 1,2;
b3 = b4 = 5.6; h3 = 2,4; h4 =1,14
Δ1 b3
b1
A1 = (b1 x h1)÷2 = 0,83 cm2; A2 = (b2 x h2)÷2 = 2,58 cm2
h4
h1 Δ4 A3 = (b3 x h3)÷2 = 6,72 cm2; A4 = (b3 x h4)÷2 = 3,192
cm2
Total Area = A1+A2+A3+A4 = 13.322 cm2
Area Realworld = Total Area x Scale denominator2
= 13,55 x (50 000)2 cm2
= 3,3305 x 1010 cm2 {÷1010 km2 → cm2}
= 3,33 km2
 Scales and Measurement

o Calculation of area (Example from the 3030 CD Margate):

• Block method - 2' x 2' grid block (A1,A2 + B1,B2)
1 cm o Draw a grid of same sized blocks (1cm x 1cm) over the
grid area, i.e. length = breadth
o Count the blocks that include more than half the
1 cm feature ( in the e.g.), and calculate the area of one
block
o Total area = (Number of blocks) x (block area)
= n x Ablock
e.g.
n = 42; Ablock = l x b = 1 cm x 1cm = 1 cm2
...
Total areaMap = n x Ablock
7,4 cm

= 42 x 1 cm2 = 42 cm2
Area Realworld = Total Area x Scale denominator2
= 42 x (50 000)2 cm2
= 10,5 x 1010 cm2 {÷1010 km2 → cm2}
= 10,5 km2

OR we could have calculated the area by

Total Area = length x breadth = 7,4 cm x 6,4 cm = 47,36 cm2
Area Realworld = Total Area x Scale denominator2
6,4 cm = 47,36 x (50 000)2 = 11,84 x 1010 or
= 11,84 km2
 Scales and Measurement

o Calculation of area (Example from the 3030 CD Margate):

• Strip method - 2' x 2' grid block (A1,A2 + B1,B2)
o First draw horizontal/vertical lines at a fixed
interval (1 cm usually is good enough); this will
b = 1 cm be 'b' for all strips
Strip7
o Calculate the area of each strip (length x breadth); in
Strip6 our case l1 = l2 … = l7
o Total area = Sum of the area of all the strips
Strip5 = ∑ (lx x b)
Strip4 o e.g.
Area of Strip1 => A1 = 1 cm x 6,4 cm = 6,4 cm2;
7,4 cm

.. A2 = 6,4 cm2;A3 = 6,4 cm2; A4 = 6,4 cm2

Strip3 Length3 =
Total areaMap = A1+A.. + A7 = 44,8 cm2
Area Realworld = Total Area x Scale denominator2 = 11,20 x 1010 cm2 {÷1010 km2
Strip2 Length2 =
→ cm2}

Strip1 = 11,20 km2

Length1

6,4 cm
 Scales and Measurement
Area of a triangle = (base x vertical
height)÷2

o Calculation of area (Example from the 3030 CD Margate):

• Triangle method - 2' x 2' grid block (A1,A2 + B1,B2)
bY o Divide the feature up into triangles, determine their base (b#) and vertical
height (h#) extending from the base at 90°:
if we choose Base 'Y' or 'Z' (bY/ bz) then we would use
4.8 cm height 'Y' or 'Z'
(hy / hz)
hZ
h1
cm

While if we chose Base '1' (b1) then we would use height is '1' (h1)
7
9.

b1 b1 = b2 = 9,7 [Same line]; h1 = 4.8; h2 = 4,8;

hY b2 bY = bZ = 6,4 [length of a rectangle]; hy = hz = 7,4 [breadth of a

rectangle]
7,4 cm

A1 = (b1 x h1)÷ 2 = 23,28 cm2; A2 = (bz x hz)÷ 2 = 23,68

cm2
h2 Triangle A1 = A2 … why not in this case?
4.8 cm Total Area = A1+A2 = 46,96 cm2
Area Realworld = Total Area x Scale denominator2
= 76,96 x (50 000)2 cm2
bZ = 11,74 x 1010 cm2 {÷1010 km2 → cm2}
6,4 cm = 11,74 km2