Page |1

MAP SKILLS REVIEW (Question #1)

2010 Map Extract- Pointe Michel

What features are shown on this map extract?

- Title
- Scale
- Legend
- Eastings and northings

Review aspects of the legend

What features can you see on this map?

- Rivers
- Surfaced Roads
- Unsurfaced Roads
- Other building- settlements
- Trellis and dendritic drainage
- Trig stations
- Contour lines- Vertical intervals at 50ft
- Cliffs along the coastline
- Cultivation and plantation- coconuts
- Steep slope

2014 Map Extract- Barbados

What features can you see on this map?

- Main road
- Secondary road
- Settlements
- Scrubs
- Linear and nucleated Settlements

TOPICS FROM PAST PAPERS

- Height of trig stations

- Compass bearings
- Compass direction
- Measuring distance
- Slope
 Page |2

- Sketch maps
- Geological features of the landscape
- Drainage features
- Settlements- why located in a particular area

EASTINGS AND NORTHINGS

Eastings- these are the vertical lines running north to south. Their value increases towards

the east.

Northings- these are the horizontal lines running east to west. Their value increases to

the north.

This is used to determine a specific location within a square.

Step 1:

Identify the square that point is in.

Step 2:

Go to bottom left hand corner of the square that it is in.

Go down to where to easting number is and read off that number.

Eastings number is

Step 3:

Go to the northern number and read off the number. Use the bottom left corner of the
square number.

Northings number is

Step 4:

State the grid reference

Eastings are always read first and then the northings.

2010 Map

Eastings- 65-75

Northings- 80-88
 Page |3

2014 Map

Eastings- 20-26

Northings- 80-84

ACTIVITY

What is the 4-figure grid reference of the following?

1. La Falaise- 66 87
 Page |4

2. Gibbs- 20 80

3. The waterfall close to Perdu Temps Estate- 73 86

4. The settlement at Speightstown- 20 82

 Page |5

SIX FIGURE GRID REFERENCE

This provides a more accurate position or location of a feature within a grid square.

It comprises of 6 figures instead of 4.

Step 1:

From the four-figure grid reference we know that where the point is located

However, a number is needed to make it 6 figures.

Step 2

Use geographical eye to divide the grid square into tenths (10s).

Divide grid square into 10 parts (9 lines with the grid line being the 10 line)

ACTIVITY

What is the 6 figure grid reference of the following?

1. La Falaise- 666 877

 Page |6

2. Gibbs- 209 805

3. The waterfall close to Perdu Temps Estate- 735 865

 Page |7

4. The settlement at Speightstown- 206 827

COMPASS DIRECTION

Step 1

Figure of the starting point.

Give the direction of X from Y. Then, the starting point is Y.

Give the direction from X to Y. Then, the starting point is X.

FROM lets us know the starting point.

Step 2

Draw a cross from the starting point.

This includes a vertical line running north to south and a horizontal line running east to
west.

Step 3

Draw a line from your starting point to your next point.

Step 4

Look at the 16-point compass and determine the direction.

 Page |8

The key is determining the starting point.

ACTIVITY

1. What is the direction of Bridon from Abardeen Estate?

Ans- Starting point is Abardeen Estate, West northwest

2. What is the direction from Ashton Hall to Rockless?

Ans- Starting point is Ashton Hall- South Southeast

 Page |9

3. What is the direction of the police station at Soufriere from the trig station at
Morne Patates?

Ans- The trig station is the starting point; Northwest

 P a g e | 10

4. What is the direction from Rock Hall to Rock Hall Plantation?

Ans- Rock Hall is the starting point, Northwest

COMPASS BEARING

Step #1

When determining the bearing, it is important to determine the start point and the end
point.

Example- what is the bearing from A to B?

The starting point is A and the end point is B

Example- what is the bearing of A from B?

The starting point is B and the end point is A

The word FROM indicates the start point.

Question What is the bearing of A from B?

 P a g e | 11

Step #2

Draw the cross. This includes the north line as the vertical line and a horizontal line.

Step #3- Connect the points

Draw a line from the first point to the second

Carry the second line beyond the second point

 P a g e | 12

Can you see the cross?

Step #4

PLACE THE PROTRACTOR ON THE POSITION

The 0 0 (degrees) is then places on the north arrow drawn from point A

0 0 (degrees) to the top, 90 0 (degrees) east and 180 0 (degrees) south

Go from north in a clockwise direction

Extended lines make it easier to measure degrees

Each line = 1 0(degree)

A from B is 52 0

Example #2

Give the bearing of point A from point B

 P a g e | 13

Step #1- The starting point is B

Step #2 - draw the cross at B from A

Step #3- Connect the two points, draw a line from point B to A

Step #4- Place the protractor in position

 P a g e | 14

180 0 + 46 0

A from B is 226 0

ACTIVITY

1. What is the bearing of Bridon from Abardeen Estate?

Ans- Starting point is Abardeen Estate, 290 degrees

2. What is the bearing from Ashton Hall to Rockless?

Ans- Starting point is Ashton Hall, 145 degrees

 P a g e | 15

3. What is the bearing of the police station at Soufriere from the trig station at
Morne Patates?

Ans- The trig station is the starting point; 310 degrees

 P a g e | 16

4. What is the bearing from Rock Hall to Rock Hall Plantation?

Ans- Rock Hall is the starting point, 300 degrees

 P a g e | 17

MEASURING DISTANCE

To measure the distance between the two places.

Take the piece of paper and place it to the corner of straight edge or at the starting point.
Now pivot the edge of the paper along the route. This means to twist the paper along the
route and mark off each twist.

Continue this process until the ending point is reached.

This leaves behind a series of marks along the edge of the paper.

Lay the string out on the route. Adjust the strong along the bends and twists. Once the
entire route has been covered, mark the string.

Video #1 (String)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTriKKOsqyI

Video #2 (Paper)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xy8AwA3qSB0

Video #3 (simplified)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goCTtV7vLEc
 P a g e | 18

EXAMPLE
P a g e | 19
P a g e | 20
P a g e | 21
 P a g e | 22

CALCULATING GRADIENT

Gradient is expressed as a ratio and used the horizontal distance (run) as well as the
vertical distance (rise) between two points.

Gradient on topographic maps is calculated using two reference points. A line connecting
these two points on the map represents the slope whose gradient is to be determined.

For gradient, the vertical increase (rise) and the horizontal equivalent (run) of the two
points need to be calculated.
 P a g e | 23

CALCULATION

Vertical increase or vertical rise is the difference in elevation between any two points on
the map.

Horizontal equivalent is the actual ground distance between any two points on the map.

Gradient is then calculated by dividing the vertical increase by the horizontal equivalent
of the two points on the map.

EXAMPLE:

The contour
interval used for this map is 150m.

Determine the gradient of the slope between the spot height on top of the hill and point
X.

Step #1-
 P a g e | 24

Identify the location of the two points whose gradient is to be calculated on the map.

Step #2-

Draw a straight line joining these two points.

X and the spot height at 3050m

Step #3-

Determine the horizontal equivalent.

To do this, place a straight-edged piece of paper against the two points on the map and
mark off the two points along the edge of the point clearly.

This marked piece of paper will then be placed along the linear scale to read off the
distance between the two points.

Step #4-

Determine the elevations of each point to calculate the vertical increase.

From the map, the elevation of spot height is 3050m and point X is 1850.

Vertical Increase (VI) = 3050m – 1850m = 1200m.

Step #5-
 P a g e | 25

Express the vertical increase and the horizontal equivalent into similar units.

Here, the vertical increase is 1200m and the horizontal equivalent is 4km.

Since the units are different, they need to be expressed in the same units of measurements.

We will convert the 4km of the horizontal equivalent into meters.

1000m = 1km

4km= 4 x 1000

4km = 4000m

Slide #24- Gradient Step #6

Calculate the gradient of the slope.

Calculation of gradient

Thus, the gradient of this slope (1200:4000) is 1:3.33.

The distance between these two points is 2km.

Step #1-
 P a g e | 26

Identify the location of the two points whose gradient is to be calculated on the map.

Point X and Point Y.

Step #2-

Draw a straight line joining these two points.

Step #3-

Determine the horizontal equivalent.

Here, is it 2km.

Step #4-

Determine the elevations of each point to calculate the vertical increase.

From the map, Point X is 380m and point Y is 300m.

Vertical Increase (VI) = 380m – 300 m = 80m.

Step #5-

Express the vertical increase and the horizontal equivalent into similar units.

Here, the vertical increase is 8m and the horizontal equivalent is 2km.

Since the units are different, they need to be expressed in the same units of measurements.

We will convert the 2km of the horizontal equivalent into meters.

1000m = 1km

2km= 2 x 1000

2km = 2000m

Step #6-

Calculate the gradient of the slope.

Gradient = 80/2000 = 1/25 or 1:25.

This means that if we were to walk from point X to point Y, for every 25 meters travelled,
the elevation will increase by 1 meter.
 P a g e | 27

SETTLEMENT PATTERNS

What is a settlement?

A settlement describes where people live. They can be temporary or permanent.

From this image, what are the different types of settlement patterns?

i. Dispersed

This comprises of several homes scattered across an area. It tends to comprise of a

farmland surrounding the home and are popular in rural areas. This reduces the need for
the farmer to have to travel long distances between the farm and home.

This occurs in areas in the Caribbean where peasant farming is the main source of income.

ii. Nucleated

This occurs when a group of homes and buildings are grouped together to form a village
with a center point being either a church, pub, or green open area.

It is also referred to as a clustered settlement.

Regionally, nucleated settlements link back to agricultural plantation times especially

with regards to the cultivation of sugar. Here, the several homes were to house the
plantation workers.

This type of settlement provides close proximity and high accessibility to social services
and amenities such as schools, churches, clinics and protective services.
 P a g e | 28

Some nucleated settlements can be formed along T-junctions.

iii. Linear

Homes and other buildings are usually located along a line form often in correspondence
with a geographic feature such as a river, lake or even transport systems such as roads.

When linear settlements occur along a roadway, the roadway most likely was present
before the settlement.

Also referred to as a chain village or ribbon village.

This is ideal for farmers when transporting their produce to the local market areas.

When located along a river, it would supply water to its population.

iv. Isolated

This is when there is one individual building located in areas with limited natural
resources and in far distances with only a few inhabitants.

This occurs in the Amazonian rainforest with communal tribes.

v. Green villages

Here, settlements are formed around an open central area comprising of a green space.
This was usually the place where town or tribal meetings were held.

Animals are usually kept at this point to protect again invasion.

MAP EXTRACT ACTIVITY

Identify the types of settlement patterns.

2010 Map Extract- Pointe Michel

Linear settlement
P a g e | 29
 P a g e | 30

2014 Map Extract- Barbados

Linear settlements

FACTORS INFLUENCING THE LOCATION OF SETTLEMENTS

i. Rural settlements

Many settlements are built-in areas which are not prone to flooding such as swamps
and floodplains. In the past, these water-prone areas were susceptible to diseases and as
such many villages were constructed on rive terraces to avoid these.
 P a g e | 31

Settlements are usually located on relatively flat land for ease of construction and access
to transport and communication routes.

Settlements were also constructed near clean water supplies. This was as water was
integral to the farming of crops and rearing of animals. Thus, many settlements were
found along rivers, springs, or other sources of fresh water to limit the time and
distance to transport water supplies.

Rural settlements are agrarian based and as such would create settlements in areas with
fertile soil which would be suitable for agriculture. In addition, this fertile soil should be
near their homes.

Settlements were often located along lines of communication such as roads to allow for
easy transport of goods to sell.

ii. Urban settlements

Are usually located on flat, well-drained terrains which allow for the easy and sturdy
construction of buildings and homes especially for tall buildings.

DRAINAGE PATTERNS

Drainage patterns are recognizable patterns created by streams, rivers, and lakes in a
particular river basin.

From these images, what are the different types of drainage patterns?

1. Dendritic drainage

This is the most common form of drainage and resembles a branching pattern of tree
roots. The main river acts as the tree trunk with the tributaries as the branches and small
streams as twigs.

It is found in areas with homogenous material. This means that the landscape has similar
resistance to weathering and there is no apparent control over the direction the tributaries
take. Here, the rock beneath the stream has no structure and can be eroded easily in all
directions. Examples include granite, volcanic rock and sedimentary rock which has not
been folded.

Tributaries, thus, join larger streams at acute angles less than 90 degrees.

Dendron means tree-like.

 P a g e | 32

Most areas of British Columbia have dendritic patterns as well as the prairies and the
Canadian Shield.

2. Trellis drainage

This pattern is formed when rocks are not homogenous and are made up of alternate
layers of hard, more resistant rock and soft rocks, less resistant rock. Thus, streams join
the main river by eroding the soft rock at right angles.

Example is the Rockies drainage system.

 P a g e | 33

3. Radial drainage

Radial drainage patterns usually develop around a central point. This is common with
conically shaped features such as volcanoes where lava emerges from one central point
or crater. Laccoliths and domes also create radial patterns.

It is usually formed when a stream of water flows in different directions starting from a
center point being a dome-like structure or a peak.

Example is in Montserrat where the river flows away from the Soufriere Hills volcanic
center.

SLOPE

Steep slope- contour lines are located close together

Moderate slope- contour lines are further apart

Gentle slope- contour lines are very far apart

 P a g e | 34

SKETCH MAPS

Question- what are sketch maps?

Sketch maps are simple drawings of the landscape. They can show things which can be
hidden in photographs or maps.

Sketch maps are drawn from either a bird’s eye view or a drawing of the horizon. A bird’s
eye view is a view from above. They can be drawn whilst doing field work or from a
photograph.

It is always important to annotate sketch maps. Annotate means to label or add notes in
detail.

Some sketch maps use symbols to show the location of geographic features, some use
squares to represent buildings and others use coloured lines to show rivers, roads,
boundaries, and others. Many sketch maps can also include abbreviations.

CHECKLIST FOR DRAWING SKETCH MAPS:

1. Title
2. A frame
3. Legend
4. North arrow- north should always be pointing upwards
5. Scale
6. Features which are important
7. A coastline is there is one
 P a g e | 35

STEPS FOR CONSTRUCTING SKETCH MAPS

1. Determine which region your sketch map will represent.

2. Decide how much space is needed for your sketch map.
3. Determine the orientation. Sketch maps should usually face northward.
4. Select appropriate reference points. You cannot include all details on a sketch map.
A major street or coastline maybe the main reference point.
5. Determine how detailed the sketch map will be. The larger the area, the less detail
required. So, a world map will not require individual street names as opposed to
a community street map.
6. Begin sketching by drawing general shapes such as lines, circles, rectangles, and
triangles.
7. Fill in the details in terms of names of places, and major land features.
8. Do not spend excessive time on your sketch map.