Welcome dear students! Today we are going to learn about Globe and Maps from Class 6 Social_Science.
Study of the globe and maps are good teaching learning aids for the better understanding of geography. In this chapter, we will learn the meaning and uses of the globe, the meaning, types and uses of maps, and the important geographical symbols required for the preparation of maps and map reading. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to understand the importance and uses of the globe, understand the types of maps and the essential components for map making, understand the symbols and keys contained in the maps, interpret and use geographical signs and symbols in the maps, and master the skill of map reading.
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Let us begin with the globe. In your science class, you have studied about the shape and size of the Earth. The Earth is geoid in shape and is represented by a globe. The Earth’s photographs taken from satellites give a real shape of the Earth, but we can see only one side of the Earth. The globe, which is the model of the Earth, can give us the view of the other side also, since we rotate the globe. The globe is a miniature model of the Earth. It is a true representation of the Earth’s spherical shape and not flat as seen on the map. Besides, it gives us information about many features of the Earth. It is a simple teaching learning aid. It can be kept on the table and rotated. It helps us to learn about different geographical concepts.
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Now, let us look at the uses of a globe. First, the globe is useful to know the shape of the Earth. Second, it helps us to understand the position, shape and size of the continents, oceans and seas. Third, the lines of latitude and longitudes on the globe help us to locate places and political boundaries. Fourth, a good globe helps us to understand the inclination of the axis, movements of the Earth, rotation, revolution and their effects, for example day and night, seasons. Fifth, it gives general information about the geographical features such as mountains, plateaus, plains, deserts, islands, rivers, grass lands, forests.
Next, we will move on to maps. The globe can give us only very general information about the Earth. Maps are very essential to get detailed information of a place, state or a country and also about other geographical features. A diagrammatic representation of the whole Earth, or a part of it, on a flat surface according to scale is called a map. The science and art of map making is known as cartography. The collection of various types of maps, bound as a book, is known as an atlas or Map book.
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Let us understand the types of maps. On the basis of scale and purpose, maps can be classified as follows. First, maps based on scale. There are two types of maps based on standard. The first is large scale maps. These maps represent small areas. They can be divided into cadastral maps and topographical maps. Cadastral maps show individual property. Topographical maps show detailed surface features. The second is small scale maps. They represent large areas, specifically the world, continents or countries. They are of two types, which are wall maps and atlas maps. Wall maps are larger than the atlas. They are used as teaching aids in the class room. They can show general and important features, such as political divisions, physical features. The maps in the atlas are smaller in size but they also give us some information.
Second, maps based on purpose. They are also known as thematic maps. They can be classified as follows. The first is physical maps. These maps represent the physical features such as mountains, plateaus, plains, rivers. The second is political maps. These maps show the political boundaries between states, countries and continents and their location, area. The third is distribution maps. These maps are used to show the distribution of definite features such as land use, temperature, rainfall, population, soils, natural vegetation, crops, minerals, Industries, railways, roads, waterways.
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Now, let us look at the components of a map. The basic components of a good map are title, scale, latitudes and longitudes, direction and index. First is the title. Every map must have a suitable title which tells us the content of the map. Example: INDIA - PHYSICAL FEATURES or INDIA - POLITICAL. Second is the scale. A scale is a ratio between the distance on the map and the corresponding distance on the ground. It helps us to know the distance between the two places on the ground. The distance between two points on the map is closer than the actual distance on the ground. Third is latitudes and longitudes. They are a grid of imaginary lines. They help us to find the location, distance and direction of places on the map. Fourth is direction. In a map, the direction is shown by a symbol of arrows, with the letter N on the top. The head of the arrow points to the North. Once you know the north, you can easily find the other directions. Fifth is index. An index, used for indicating and marking on a map, is called a Map Index. The index is an important component and represents all the features shown on a map. Various colours and symbols are used in the index, for example blue colour for water bodies, green for lowlands.
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Let me describe a political map of India that you would see in your textbook. This map shows the boundaries of various Indian states. You can see states like Telangana, Odisha, Bihar, Assam, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Uttaranchal, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Jammu - Kashmir, INDIA, Tamilnadu, Karnataka, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh. At the top of the map, there is a direction arrow pointing upwards with the letter N, indicating North. Below the map, there is a map index that explains the symbols and boundaries used.
Now, let us learn about the uses of maps. Maps help us in many ways. First, maps help us to locate places like towns, cities, districts, states, countries and continents. Second, they show the physical features such as mountains, plateaus, plains, coastal areas, islands. Third, they help us to know the major routes of transport such as roads, railways. Fourth, they help us to understand the distribution of crops, minerals, Industries. Fifth, maps are very important for military people at the time of war and for security. Sixth, maps guide the tourists to their destination. Seventh, maps are very good teaching learning aids and they are easy to carry.
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Next, we will discuss geographical symbols. A symbol is a sign that stands for an object. The symbols used in a map are the same all over the world. The symbols give us a variety of information. Let us look at colours. When you look at a physical map, you can see different colours. These colours represent different physical features. In a physical map, the colours used are as follows. Blue colour for water bodies like oceans, seas, lakes and rivers. Green colour for lowlands or plains. Yellow colour for highlands or land higher than the plains. Brown colour for hills and lower parts of mountains. Dark brown colour for high mountains. White or purple colour for snow covered areas. Besides, different colours are used for political maps to show the different political divisions. Now let us look at lines. Different line symbols with different colours are drawn on a map to show roads, railways, airways. Black lines are used for boundaries, red for roads.
Let us move on to map reading. To read and understand a map you need to know the meaning of the symbols used, just as you need to know the letters of the alphabet to form meaningful words. In the same way, you have to know the meaning of colours, lines and symbols which are used on the map. Map reading is a skill. We all need to have some expertise and general directions to understand the location and various features on the map. They are given below. First, to locate places. To locate a place on the map, we have to know the latitude and longitude on which the place is located. Second, to find the direction. The symbol of the arrow pointing to the north helps us to find the other directions. Third, to find the distance. The scale given on the map helps us to know the distance between two places. There is a special note regarding a map showing cities like Kalaburagi, Vijayapura, Belagavi, Ballari, Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru, Tumakuru, Mysuru, and Bengaluru. As per the scale, the direct distance between Kalaburagi and Bagalkote is 222 kilometers.
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Here are some new words from this chapter that you should remember: Globe, Map, Location, Physical features, Atlas, Scale, Cartography, Index, Title, Symbols, Transport, Miniature.
Now, let us look at the Do you know section. The map found in Babylonia, dated 2300 B.C., is the oldest. The Greek astronomer, Claudius tolemy prepared the first Atlas. Large scale maps represent small areas while small scale maps represent large areas. Maps help in the study of Geography. They are the teaching aids. To understand the correct distance between two places, we have to convert centimetres into kilometres and inches into miles. The needle in a magnetic compass always points to the North direction.
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It is time for our exercises. Let us solve them together. Exercise one asks you to fill in the blanks with suitable words. Question one: The earth model is called as globe. Question two: A book prepared by combining different types of maps is called an atlas or Map book. Question three: The colour green is shown to identify the fields on maps. Question four: The imaginary lines drawn on the Earth are latitudes and longitudes.
Now, let us answer the following questions in one sentence. Question five: Mention any two uses of a globe. The globe is useful to know the shape of the Earth, and it helps us to understand the position, shape and size of the continents, oceans and seas. Question six: What is a map? A diagrammatic representation of the whole Earth, or a part of it, on a flat surface according to scale is called a map. Question seven: Which are the different types of maps? Maps are classified based on scale into large scale and small scale maps, and based on purpose into physical, political, and distribution maps. Question eight: Mention any two uses of maps. Maps help us to locate places like towns, cities, districts, states, countries and continents, and they show the physical features such as mountains, plateaus, plains, coastal areas, islands. Question nine: What is an Atlas or map book? The collection of various types of maps, bound as a book, is known as an atlas or Map book. Question ten: What is a scale? A scale is a ratio between the distance on the map and the corresponding distance on the ground. Question eleven: What are geographical symbols? A symbol is a sign that stands for an object, and the symbols used in a map are same all over the world. Question twelve: Which are the major components of a map? The basic components of a good map are title, scale, latitudes and longitudes, direction and index.
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Finally, let us look at the activities suggested for you. First, prepare a model of the globe using paper pulp or a rubber ball or any other material. Second, view different types of maps and find out the differences between different types of maps. Third, on an outline map of India, use suitable colours. You should colour and mark the physical features of India, and colour and mark the oceans and seas surrounding India.
Thank you for listening! Keep revising and practicing. Goodbye! [CHAPTER_COMPLETE]