Geography skills

• Scale


  1. 50 000 means every 1 cm on the map represents 50,000 cm (0.5 km) in reality
• Measuring distance on a map

  1. Place a straight edge between two points

  2. Mark off the points

  3. Transfer the paper to the scale line

  4. Read off the distance
• Grid square


  1 square km on the map
• Measuring area on a map

  1. Count the total number of grid squares

  2. Estimate areas smaller than a grid square
• 1. figure grid reference


  Identifies a grid square, e.g. 4716
• 1. figure grid reference


  Identifies a location within a grid square, e.g. 467173
• Bearing


  Numerical measurement of direction between two points, using 360 degrees of a compass
• Spot heights


  • Dots on a map with a number showing the exact height in metres
• Contours


  • Brown lines on a map joining places of equal height
• Triangulation stations


  • Concrete or brick pillars on hilltops used for surveying, marked on maps
• Describing relief


  1. Identify main relief features

  2. Describe relief features within the area

  3. Describe slopes
• Describing drainage


  1. Name main rivers and direction of flow

  2. Describe density of surface drainage

  3. Describe width of rivers

  4. Describe long profile of rivers

  5. Describe course of rivers
• Gradient


  Measure of the steepness of a slope
• Calculating gradient


  1. Measure horizontal distance

  2. Find difference in height

  3. Divide vertical interval by horizontal equivalent
• Drawing a cross-section


  1. Mark contour heights along a straight edge

  2. Draw frame on graph paper

  3. Mark contour heights on frame

  4. Join the dots to show the profile
• Site


  Description of the actual land a feature is built on
• Situation


  Description of where a feature is located in relation to other features
• Describing a trend


  1. Identify overall changes between first and last dates

  2. Describe rate of change, whether large or small
• Urban features on a map

  • Extent of built-up area
  • Large buildings
  • Communications (roads, railways)
  • Density and pattern of roads