Map skills
Kinds of maps, the key, scale and distance, and how an atlas works. Read one part at a time and tap “I know this”. Then test yourself in the quiz.
Know it already? Jump straight to the quiz
The parts of a map
- Title: what the map shows.
- Key (legend): what each symbol and colour means.
- North arrow or compass rose: the directions.
- Scale: how far apart things really are.
Maps use fixed colours: blue for water, green for low land, brown for high ground and mountains. A railway is a line with cross bars.
Scale: from the map to the real world
Measure the distance on the map with a ruler. Then use the scale to change it into the real distance.
If 1 cm on the map is 10 km, then 4 cm on the map is 4 × 10 = 40 km in the real world.
A large-scale map shows a small area, such as a town, in lots of detail.
Kinds of maps
| Map | What it shows |
|---|---|
| Physical map (relief map) | Mountains, rivers and height with colours |
| Political map | Borders, countries, provinces and cities |
| Road map | Roads and routes between towns |
| Population map | Where and how many people live |
| Agricultural map | Which crops grow where |
A satellite image is a photo of the Earth from space. A digital map on a phone shows your own position. A world map is always slightly stretched, because a round Earth cannot lie flat.
Countries without a coast
A landlocked country has no coastline of its own, like Botswana and Lesotho. Such countries must send their goods through a neighbour’s port, such as Durban, and need good relations with their neighbours.
Remember this and test yourself
- The key explains the symbols; the scale shows the real distance.
- Measure with a ruler and use the scale: if 1 cm = 10 km, then 4 cm = 40 km.
- A physical map shows landforms and height; a political map shows borders and cities.
- An atlas is a book of maps; the index at the back gives the page and block.
- A landlocked country has no coastline, like Botswana.
Write these points in your book. Read them again the night before the test.
Scale sum: cm on the map × scale = real distance. 4 cm × 10 km = 40 km.
Important words
First say what the word means, then turn the card over.
Match column A to column B
Tap a word in column A, then its meaning in column B. You can also start in column B.
True or false?
Read the question and the answer. Is the answer right? Tap True or False.
Now the real quiz!
The quiz has many more questions on this topic. Every question shows straight away whether you are right and explains why.
Take the quiz: Map skills- Read one part together and ask your child to tell it back in their own words.
- The ticks (“I know this”) are saved on this device only. We never ask for names or emails.
Follows CAPS for Grade 5 Social Sciences (Geography). Always check your teacher’s notes and textbook too.