Question

What do you mean by the term ‘the scale of the map’?

Answer 1

Hint: A map is a symbolic representation of some features of a place, it is drawn on a flat surface. Maps present information about the world simply and visually. They teach about the world by showing sizes and shapes of countries, locations of characteristics, and distances between places. The mapmakers are called Cartographers.

Complete answer:
a. All maps are technically two-dimensional models of reality. A map’s scale shows us the relationship between the distances on the map and the actual distances on Earth. This relationship between the distances on paper and in reality can be expressed by a graphic scale, a verbal scale, or a representative fraction.
b. The most common type of graphic scale looks like a regular ruler. It is also called a bar scale, it is simply a horizontal line shown using kilometres, or some other measuring unit.
c. The verbal scale is basically a sentence that tells us the distance on the map to distance on Earth. A verbal scale, for example, might say, "one cm represents 100 kilometres".
d. The representative fraction does not have specific units. It is shown as a fraction or ratio—for example, 1/1,000. This implies that each unit of measurement on the map is equal to one thousand units of measurement on Earth. So, 1 centimetre on the map represents 1,000 centimetres on Earth or 0.01 kilometres.
e. The size of the area that is covered in a map helps decide the scale of a map. A map that shows an area in great detail, such as a street map of a colony, is called a large-scale map because objects on the map are shown comparatively large. A map of a larger area, such as a continent or the world, is called a small-scale map because objects on the map are smaller.

Note: Nowadays maps are often computerized and digital. Several computerized maps allow the individual to zoom in and out, adjusting the map size. A person may begin by looking at the map of an entire city that only shows major roads and then zoom in so that every street in a neighbourhood is visible, like the Google street view.