Maps
📚 Topic Overview: Maps & Mapping Skills
This module explains what maps are, how they are made, and how to read them correctly.
It covers maps, directions, scales, symbols, patterns, types of maps, and the sequence
from village to world maps. It also highlights how life and planning change “before maps
and with maps”, and ends with a dedicated Andhra Pradesh Mapping Section.
1. Maps
Concept / Theory
A map is a drawing or representation of the whole Earth or a part of it on a flat surface,
using a chosen scale, symbols and colors. Maps show positions, shapes and relationships
of different features like landforms, rivers, roads, towns and boundaries.
Origin and Development
- Early people scratched simple sketches on rocks, clay tablets and animal skins to show hunting grounds and routes.
- Ancient scholars later prepared world maps based on observations and travel accounts.
- With improved instruments and mathematics, maps became more accurate and scientific.
- Modern maps are prepared with help of surveying instruments, aerial photography, satellites and GIS (Geographic Information Systems).
“Parents” and “Children” in Map Evolution
- “Parents”: traditional hand-drawn maps based on ground surveys and traveller notes.
- “Children”: printed atlases, school wall maps, digital maps, online maps and navigation apps.
- Each new generation of maps improves accuracy, detail and ease of use.
Basic Elements of a Map
| Element | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Title | Shows what the map is about (e.g., “India – Political Map”). |
| Scale | Relationship between distance on map and distance on ground. |
| Direction (North arrow) | Shows orientation of the map. |
| Legend / Key | Explains symbols and colors used. |
| Grid / Index | Helps to locate places using letters and numbers. |
| Border / Neat line | Frames the map contents. |
Large Scale vs Small Scale Maps
| Type | Example Scale | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Large scale | 1 : 10,000 | Village or town plan – shows more detail of a small area. |
| Small scale | 1 : 10,000,000 | World or country map – shows less detail of a large area. |
🧠 Key Points:
- Map = reduced, flattened, simplified picture of reality.
- Scale, symbols and direction are the essential parts of every good map.
- Large scale → small area with more detail; small scale → large area with less detail.
🔍 Example / Application:
Planning a school campus or village layout uses a large-scale map so that every building, road and open space can be drawn accurately.
Planning a school campus or village layout uses a large-scale map so that every building, road and open space can be drawn accurately.
📝 Exam Tip:
When a question asks “Which element of a map helps us to understand symbols?”, the correct term is legend or key.
When a question asks “Which element of a map helps us to understand symbols?”, the correct term is legend or key.
2. Directions
Concept / Theory
Directions help us to describe the position of a place from another place on the map or on the ground.
Correct understanding of directions is essential to use maps.
Main Direction System
- Cardinal directions: North (N), South (S), East (E), West (W).
- Intermediate directions: North-East (NE), North-West (NW), South-East (SE), South-West (SW).
- Maps usually show a north arrow or a north line to indicate direction.
Instruments Used
- Magnetic compass: simple instrument with a magnetic needle that points north.
- Surveyor’s compass and theodolite: used in professional surveying to measure angles and directions accurately.
- Modern devices like GPS receivers can show direction and location using satellites.
| Term | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Bearing | Direction of one place from another, usually measured in degrees from north. |
| Orientation | Process of aligning the map with actual directions on the ground. |
🧠 Key Points:
- On most maps, the top side represents north.
- Direction is always measured from a starting point.
- Compasses and GPS are “children” of older direction-finding methods like observing the Sun or stars.
🔍 Example / Application:
Using a compass and a map together helps a traveller to keep moving in the correct direction even in unknown areas.
Using a compass and a map together helps a traveller to keep moving in the correct direction even in unknown areas.
📝 Exam Tip:
If asked “Which direction lies between North and East?”, the expected answer is North-East, not just “middle”.
If asked “Which direction lies between North and East?”, the expected answer is North-East, not just “middle”.
3. Scale
Concept / Theory
Scale is the ratio between a distance on the map and the corresponding distance on the ground.
It tells us how much the real world has been reduced to fit on the map.
Types of Map Scale
| Type | Form | Example | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statement scale | Words | “1 cm represents 1 km” | Easy for general users. |
| Representative fraction (RF) | Ratio | 1 : 100,000 | Common in atlases and technical maps. |
| Linear / graphic scale | Drawn line | A line divided into km units | Useful when map is enlarged/reduced. |
Patterns in Scale Use
- Cadastral / city maps → need large scale for property details.
- State or country maps → use moderate scales.
- World maps → use small scales.
🧠 Key Points:
- Scale connects map distance and ground distance.
- RF 1 : 50,000 means 1 unit on map = 50,000 units on ground (same units).
- Larger the denominator in RF → smaller the scale.
🔍 Example / Application:
If scale is 1 : 100,000, and the distance between two towns on the map is 3 cm, then ground distance is 3 × 100,000 cm = 300,000 cm = 3 km.
If scale is 1 : 100,000, and the distance between two towns on the map is 3 cm, then ground distance is 3 × 100,000 cm = 300,000 cm = 3 km.
📝 Exam Tip:
Questions often compare scales: RF 1 : 25,000 vs 1 : 1,000,000. The map with 1 : 25,000 is a larger scale map (more detail).
Questions often compare scales: RF 1 : 25,000 vs 1 : 1,000,000. The map with 1 : 25,000 is a larger scale map (more detail).
4. Symbols
Concept / Theory
Map symbols are small signs, shapes or colors used to represent real-world features
in a simple and standard way. Since it is not possible to draw all features exactly as they appear,
we use symbols to show them.
Conventional Symbols and Legend
- Conventional symbols: widely accepted and standard symbols (e.g., a cross for church, thick line for main road).
- Legend / key: box on the map that explains what each symbol and color stands for.
Common Symbol Types
| Feature | Typical Symbol (Conceptual) | Color/Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Road | Lines of different thickness | Often black or red |
| Railway | Line with cross ticks | Black |
| River | Wavy line | Blue |
| Forest | Tree symbols / green shading | Green |
| Settlement | Dots or small blocks | Red or black |
| Boundary | Lines with special patterns | Often purple or black |
Advantages (“Children” of Symbol System)
- Easy to understand complex information quickly.
- Helps compare different features without long text.
- Makes maps usable across languages when standardized.
🧠 Key Points:
- Every map must have a legend to decode symbols.
- Colors follow patterns: blue for water, green for vegetation, brown for relief, yellow for cultivated land (often used convention).
🔍 Example / Application:
A tourist can read a city map easily by checking the legend to find symbols for bus stations, hospitals, parks and important buildings.
A tourist can read a city map easily by checking the legend to find symbols for bus stations, hospitals, parks and important buildings.
📝 Exam Tip:
When you see a map-based question, first look at the legend before answering; it often hides direct clues.
When you see a map-based question, first look at the legend before answering; it often hides direct clues.
5. Patterns
Concept / Theory
Patterns on maps are repeated use of colors, lines, shading or symbols to show distribution
of features like rainfall, population, land use or height.
Types of Map Patterns
| Pattern Type | Use |
|---|---|
| Color shading | Show intensity (e.g., darker color for higher value). |
| Hatching / cross-hatching | Show special areas like mineral belts or protected zones. |
| Dot maps | Each dot represents a fixed quantity (e.g., population units). |
| Proportional symbols | Sizes of circles or squares show differences in value. |
Interpreting Patterns
- Recognise the legend to understand what each pattern represents.
- Look for clusters, gaps and gradients to interpret distribution.
- Patterns help identify high, moderate and low values quickly.
🧠 Key Points:
- Patterns convert numbers into pictures.
- Many thematic maps rely on patterns rather than exact figures.
🔍 Example / Application:
A rainfall map uses different shades of blue to show areas with low, moderate and high rainfall, making pattern-based comparison easy.
A rainfall map uses different shades of blue to show areas with low, moderate and high rainfall, making pattern-based comparison easy.
📝 Exam Tip:
If a map uses dots, check how many units each dot stands for; answers often depend on correct reading of dot value.
If a map uses dots, check how many units each dot stands for; answers often depend on correct reading of dot value.
6. Types of Maps: Political, Physical, Thematic & Historical
Concept / Theory
Maps can be grouped into different types based on what they show.
In Social Studies, four major types are important:
political, physical, thematic, and
historical maps.
Comparison of Map Types
| Type | Main Focus | Examples (India) |
|---|---|---|
| Political map | Administrative boundaries. | India, states, union territories, districts. |
| Physical map | Natural features. | Himalayas, Deccan Plateau, rivers, plains, coastal regions. |
| Thematic map | Specific theme or subject. | Rainfall, population, soil, crops, forest cover, literacy. |
| Historical map | Past kingdoms, events, routes, archaeological sites. | Mauryan Empire, Gupta Empire, Vijayanagara Empire, Harappan sites, ancient Indian Ocean trade routes. |
Hierarchy and Use
- Political maps (parents): base reference showing boundaries and names.
- Physical maps: show natural background on which human activities occur.
- Thematic maps (children): created by adding specific data to political/physical maps.
- Historical maps: show how regions looked in the past — dynasties, routes, battles, ancient cities.
🧠 Key Points:
- Political = boundaries, states, districts.
- Physical = landforms, rivers, plateaus, plains.
- Thematic = one theme (rainfall, soil, literacy, crops).
- Historical = past empires, ancient trade routes, archaeological sites.
🔍 Combined Examples (All Map Types):
- Political: A map showing the 28 states and 8 union territories of India.
- Physical: A map showing the Himalayas, Western Ghats, Deccan Plateau, Thar Desert.
- Thematic: A literacy rate map of India or a rainfall distribution map.
-
Historical: A map showing the Mauryan Empire under Ashoka, Harappan Civilization sites,
or ancient Indian Ocean maritime trade routes connecting ports like Lothal, Bharuch, and Muziris.
📝 Exam Tip:
If a question shows rainfall, literacy, population, crops or forest distribution, the map type is almost always a
thematic map.
If the map shows ancient empires, battlefields or old trade routes, it is a historical map.
If a question shows rainfall, literacy, population, crops or forest distribution, the map type is almost always a
thematic map.
If the map shows ancient empires, battlefields or old trade routes, it is a historical map.
7. Where Are We – Village, Mandal, District, Country Maps
Concept / Theory
Maps can be prepared at different levels to show where we are in the larger world.
From our village or town to our district, state and country,
each level has its own map.
Hierarchy of Location
| Level | Typical Map | Main Use |
|---|---|---|
| Village / Town | Village/town map or plan | Local planning, land records, civic facilities. |
| Mandal / Block / Taluk | Sub-district map | Grouping of villages for administration and development. |
| District | District map | Schools, health centres, roads and office locations. |
| State | State map | Distribution of districts, major cities and transport routes. |
| Country | National map | International boundaries, states/UTs, major rivers and cities. |
| World | World map | Continents, oceans and countries. |
Indexes and Location Finding
- Index: list of place names with grid references (e.g., B3, D7) so they can be located quickly on a map.
- Atlas maps usually provide an index at the end or beginning.
🧠 Key Points:
- “Where are we?” is answered by going from small area maps to larger area maps step by step.
- Each level of map supports planning and decision-making at that administrative level.
🔍 Example / Application:
To locate a school on a village map, then locate that village within a district map, and finally within the country map, shows how location hierarchy works.
To locate a school on a village map, then locate that village within a district map, and finally within the country map, shows how location hierarchy works.
📝 Exam Tip:
If a question uses the phrase “administrative unit” along with maps, it usually refers to village, block, district, state or country maps.
If a question uses the phrase “administrative unit” along with maps, it usually refers to village, block, district, state or country maps.
8. Before Maps and With Maps – Uses, Benefits, Analogies
Life Before Maps
- People depended on memory, verbal directions and landmarks.
- Travelling long distances was risky and slow.
- Planning for trade, defence and administration was limited.
Life With Maps
- Maps became the “parents” of modern planning – for roads, cities, irrigation, defence and disaster management.
- Governments used maps for deciding boundaries, taxes and resource use.
- Scientists used maps to study climate, population, soils and natural hazards.
Modern “Children” of Maps
- Atlases and wall maps for education.
- Digital maps, navigation systems and GPS-based applications.
- Remote sensing images from satellites and aerial photographs.
- GIS maps that combine many layers (roads, rivers, land use, population).
Uses and Benefits
| Field | Use of Maps |
|---|---|
| Administration | Drawing boundaries, planning offices and services. |
| Agriculture | Soil maps, rainfall maps, irrigation planning. |
| Disaster management | Flood-prone, cyclone-prone and earthquake-prone zone maps. |
| Transport | Road, rail and airway route maps. |
| Defence | Strategic maps for borders and sensitive areas. |
Important Organisations and Persons in Mapping
- National mapping agencies in many countries prepare official topographical maps.
- Early surveyors and cartographers improved measurement techniques and instruments.
- Modern mapping continues to grow with satellite and computer technologies.
🧠 Key Points:
- Maps changed human understanding of space and distance.
- Map-based thinking is now essential for administration, science and everyday navigation.
🔍 Example / Application:
Planning new roads or public facilities now starts by overlaying multiple map layers (population, land use, slopes, water bodies) instead of using guesswork.
Planning new roads or public facilities now starts by overlaying multiple map layers (population, land use, slopes, water bodies) instead of using guesswork.
📝 Exam Tip:
When comparing “before maps” and “with maps”, focus on information, planning, safety and accuracy.
When comparing “before maps” and “with maps”, focus on information, planning, safety and accuracy.
9. Population & Population Density Maps
Concept / Theory
Population maps show how people are distributed across regions. They help us understand settlement patterns, crowding, resource pressure, and planning needs.
Key Terms
- Population: Total number of people living in a region.
- Population Density: Number of people per square kilometer (persons/sq km).
- Population Distribution: How population is spread across a country or state.
- Urban Population: People living in towns and cities.
- Rural Population: People living in villages.
- Demographic indicators: Literacy rate, sex ratio, birth rate, death rate, migration.
Population Density Formula
Formula:
Population Density = Total Population ÷ Area (sq km)
Population Density = Total Population ÷ Area (sq km)
India: Population Highlights (Useful for Exams)
- India’s latest completed census: Census 2011.
- India’s population (2023 estimate): ~ 142 crore (world’s most populous country).
- Highest population density (state): Bihar.
- Lowest population density (state): Arunachal Pradesh.
- Highest urban population share: Delhi, Chandigarh, Tamil Nadu.
- Rural-dominated states: Bihar, Odisha, Assam, Rajasthan.
Types of Population-Related Maps
| Map Type | What It Shows | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Population Distribution Map | Where people live (dense / sparse areas). | Ganga plains = very dense; Himalayas = sparse population. |
| Population Density Map | Persons per sq km. | Bihar (high), Arunachal Pradesh (low). |
| Urban–Rural Map | Urban vs rural percentages. | Delhi = highly urban; Himachal Pradesh = highly rural. |
| Literacy Map | Statewise literacy rate. | Kerala (highest literacy), Bihar (lower literacy). |
| Sex Ratio Map | Females per 1000 males. | Kerala & TN = higher; Haryana = lower. |
| Migration Map | Movement of people from one region to another. | UP → Delhi; Bihar → Maharashtra. |
🧠 Key Points:
- Population density helps identify pressure on land and resources.
- Ganga–Brahmaputra plains = one of the world’s highest population densities.
- Mountain and desert regions usually have low population densities.
- Urban population grows due to migration + jobs.
🔍 Example / Application:
If a map shows darker shaded regions in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar or West Bengal, it likely represents a high population density map.
If a map shows darker shaded regions in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar or West Bengal, it likely represents a high population density map.
📝 Exam Tip:
Questions about population distribution, density, literacy and sex ratio
are directly linked with thematic maps. Population maps are always a part of thematic map category.
Questions about population distribution, density, literacy and sex ratio
are directly linked with thematic maps. Population maps are always a part of thematic map category.
10. Andhra Pradesh Mapping Section
Geographical Location of Andhra Pradesh
- Located on the south-eastern coast of India, facing the Bay of Bengal.
- Extends roughly from the mid-latitudes of peninsular India towards the eastern coastline.
- Has one of the longest coastlines in the country, supporting ports and fisheries.
- Contains parts of the Eastern Ghats, river deltas, plateaus and coastal plains.
Administrative Mapping Levels in Andhra Pradesh
| Level | Map Use |
|---|---|
| Village / Ward | Land records, local facilities and planning. |
| Mandal / Block | Grouping of villages for development programmes. |
| District | Education, health, transport and resource planning. |
| State | Overall planning, major projects and connectivity. |
Andhra Pradesh: Population Data (Old 13 District Structure)
The following data is based on Census 2011, which is the latest official census.
These values are commonly used in TET/DSC exams for map-based and demographic questions.
| District (Old – 13) | Population (2011) | Density (per sq km) | Sex Ratio (♀ per 1000 males) | Literacy (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Srikakulam | 26.99 lakh | 462 | 1014 | 61.74% |
| Vizianagaram | 23.44 lakh | 358 | 1018 | 58.89% |
| Visakhapatnam | 42.88 lakh | 384 | 1003 | 67.70% |
| East Godavari | 51.54 lakh | 477 | 1005 | 70.99% |
| West Godavari | 39.36 lakh | 500 | 1004 | 74.32% |
| Krishna | 45.17 lakh | 519 | 992 | 73.74% |
| Guntur | 48.87 lakh | 429 | 1003 | 67.40% |
| Prakasam | 33.92 lakh | 193 | 981 | 62.13% |
| Nellore | 29.66 lakh | 227 | 986 | 69.15% |
| Chittoor | 41.74 lakh | 275 | 997 | 71.53% |
| Kadapa (YSR) | 28.84 lakh | 188 | 985 | 67.88% |
| Anantapur | 40.81 lakh | 213 | 977 | 63.57% |
| Kurnool | 40.53 lakh | 229 | 984 | 59.97% |
🧠 Key Insights:
- Most populous district: East Godavari.
- Highest density: Krishna district (519 per sq km).
- Lowest density: YSR Kadapa (188 per sq km).
- Highest literacy: West Godavari (74.32%).
- Highest sex ratio: Vizianagaram (1018).
Natural Features on Andhra Pradesh Maps
- Major rivers such as the Godavari, Krishna and Penna are clearly shown with their deltas.
- Coastal plains, hills of Eastern Ghats and plateau regions appear on physical maps of the state.
- Soil, rainfall and crop maps of the state are examples of thematic maps used for planning.
Use of Modern Mapping Tools in the State
- Satellite imagery and remote sensing are used to map crops, forests and water bodies.
- GIS is increasingly used by various departments for land records, urban planning and infrastructure.
- Digital maps support disaster management for cyclones, floods and coastal risks.
Applications for Teaching and Learning
- State maps help learners identify their own village, mandal, district and state boundaries.
- Comparing political and physical maps of the state helps in understanding how landforms influence settlements.
- Thematic maps of Andhra Pradesh (rainfall, crops, population) help students connect local realities with map concepts.
🧠 Andhra Pradesh Key Revision Points:
- Coastal state on the eastern side of India with a long shoreline.
- Major river deltas are important features on state maps.
- Village → Mandal → District → State hierarchy is central to reading local maps.
📝 Use in Practice:
Keep one political and one physical map of Andhra Pradesh side by side in the classroom.
Use them to locate your village/town, nearby rivers, hills and major roads to strengthen mapping skills in a state context.
Keep one political and one physical map of Andhra Pradesh side by side in the classroom.
Use them to locate your village/town, nearby rivers, hills and major roads to strengthen mapping skills in a state context.