U2. Map-reading

Map-Reading Overview

Understanding how to read conventional signs on maps is crucial for navigation and understanding geographical features. This guide focuses on two types of maps: the 1:20,000 map and the 1:5,000 map, providing conventional signs that represent various features.

Conventional Signs on a 1:20,000 Map

  • Symbolism: Symbols have shapes and colors that correspond to the features they represent.

Color Coding

  • Black: Represents buildings and man-made structures

    • Types include:

      • Government Offices

      • Fire Station

      • Police Station

      • Post Office

      • Hospital/Clinic

      • Railway & Station

      • Road Under Construction

      • Monastery/Temple

      • Mosque/Synagogue

      • Elevated Road

      • Footbridge

  • Red: Represents transportation features

    • Includes:

      • Main Road

      • Secondary Road

      • Expressway

      • Route Number

  • Blue: Represents water features

    • Examples include:

      • River

      • Pond

      • Dam

  • Brown: Represents landform features

    • Includes:

      • Contour Line

      • Cliff/Quarry

      • Spot Height

  • Green: Represents vegetation and parks

    • Types include:

      • Park/Sports Ground

      • Mangrove Rock

Additional Symbols

  • #: Boundary of Administrative Region

  • +: Navigation and Signal Stations

  • P: Pylon Power Line

Conventional Signs on a 1:5,000 Map

  • This map provides more detailed urban and rural features at a finer scale.

Major Features

  • Urban Features:

    • Examples include:

      • Building

      • Main Road

      • Hotel

      • Post Office

  • Rural Features:

    • Examples include:

      • Cultivation

      • Swamp

      • Pond

      • Rocky Area

Color Coding

  • Buildings and man-made structures can be found in detailed forms such as hospitals and schools.

  • Transport related features highlighted on this map include secondary roads, proposed roads, and expressways.

  • Restricted Access areas are indicated for specific features such as cemeteries and public facilities.

Practice Exercises

  1. Identify features on both maps based on conventional signs.

  2. Draw the conventional signs for given features:

    • 1:20,000 Map Exercises:

      • Cultivation, Temple, Footpath, Post Office

    • 1:5,000 Map Exercises:

      • Car Park, Artificial Slope, Secondary School, Hotel.