Legend of geographical maps. Legend of geographical physical maps

A map is a reduced model of the earth's surface (a planet as a whole or a separate section of it), built using a grid and a system of certain signs. About them and will be discussed in this article. What are the symbols of geographical maps? And how many species do they share?

Geographical map and its meaning

A map is a reduced model of the Earth's surface with a mathematical basis. This, simultaneously, and the tool, and the result of the work of the geographer-researcher. Geographic maps allow a comprehensive study of the terrain and are used in many sectors of the national economy. At the same time, they should be precise, detailed and clear.

Geographical maps are classified:

• By scale;
• Territorial coverage;
• Content;
• Purpose.

They can be comprehensive and thematic, large-scale and small-scale, educational, scientific-educational and tourist.

If the book consists of letters and words, then the geographic map - from special signs. And it is simply impossible to correctly read without them any map or plan of the terrain. What are the symbols of geographical maps? And how do they look? Let's find out together.

What do the symbols of geographical maps look like?

Mountains, lakes, forests, settlements and roads - all these objects are displayed on maps with the help of certain signs and symbols. These can be lines, dotted lines, geometric shapes or simple drawings. The designation of conventional signs of geographical maps can also be carried out using color or shading. Text labels are also used quite widely.

Symbols of geographical maps are a system of specially developed graphic signs that are used to display all kinds of objects, phenomena, processes, as well as characteristics - qualitative and quantitative. Very often this system is called a map legend.

Legend of geographical maps should be easy to read. This is one of the most important requirements, which is put forward to the construction of any maps. They should be well perceived by the eye and easy to remember. That is why many conventional signs resemble the kind of objects or objects they represent. For example, a sign denoting a rocky ledge or a stone is really similar to these objects.

Legend of geographical physical maps and their classification

In cartography, all conventional signs are divided into four large groups:

1. Large-scale.
2. Non-scale.
3. Linear.
4. Explanatory.

Scale (outline or area) signs are used to denote extended objects, the shape and outlines of which can be expressed on the scale of a particular plan or map. These include the designations of fields, forests, pastures, urban quarters, etc. The boundaries of such objects can be represented by solid or dotted-dotted lines.

If the object in reality is too small in size so that it can be expressed on a map scale, then in this case use off-scale signs. They stand for separately standing trees, stones, windmills, factory pipes, churches, monasteries, etc.

Linear symbols of geographic maps are used to apply road routes, railways, administrative boundaries, power lines and other similar facilities. Explanatory signs give additional characteristics to a particular object. It can be as signatures of settlements, lakes, railway stations, and other graphic elements (for example, an arrow indicating the direction of the river's flow).

How do maps show populated areas and roads?

On large-scale topographic maps and terrain plans, settlements are depicted as detailed as possible. At the same time, their general outlines and character of the layout are preserved, the main streets, avenues, squares, and also some large buildings are allocated. Signatures to cities, as a rule, are carried out in capital letters, to villages and towns - lowercase. The font size depends on the number of inhabitants of a given locality.

The road network is an important element of any detailed map. Therefore, it is important to display it as fully and as completely as possible. Railways on topographic maps, as a rule, mean absolutely everything (with bold black lines), while indicating the number of stakes with the help of short dashes. Also displayed are stations, platforms (rectangles), bridges, tunnels and patrols, and sometimes - track ladders and semaphores.

On the maps indicate and automobile communication routes: motorways, highways, local, dirt, forest and field roads. And the roads are hard-coated, usually painted in orange.

How do watermarks appear on maps?

Rivers, lakes, ponds, canals, streams and springs - all this is necessarily applied to topographic maps. At the same time, the detail of the mapping of water bodies of a particular territory depends on its scale.

The contours of lakes, ponds, reservoirs on the maps are denoted by blue lines, and the objects themselves are painted blue. When depositing rivers, indicate their width and depth in meters (using a fraction), as well as the direction of the flow (using the arrow).

Wells, springs and artesian wells are marked with special off-scale signs. Wetlands are represented by horizontal short strips of blue.

How are the maps showing the relief and vegetation?

The relief on topographic maps is shown with the help of so-called contour lines. These are special lines connecting points with the same absolute height. With their help you can get an idea of the nature of the earth's surface, the steepness of the slopes, the presence of certain forms of relief on the ground. Horizontals are often depicted in brown or gray.

Almost on any detailed map you can see "spots" and "belts" of green color. These are forest tracts. On non-scale signs it is also possible to determine what kind of forest is coniferous, deciduous or mixed. Sometimes there you can find information about the height and thickness of the trunks in the forest, as well as the average distance between the trees.

Separate graphic elements on topographical maps are designated as shrubs, meadows, gardens, woodlands, thickets of reeds, etc.