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S3 Humanities Summary Notes
Sub-module 4 - Sustainable Development
Map Reading Notes
4.1.1 Scales and Converting Scales
In Hong Kong maps, there are 2 types of scales:
1. 1:5000 (Black and white with no color)
2. 1:20000 (With color)
If there is no unit in a representative fraction scale, then the unit of the two numbers
MUST be the same. (I.e. 1:5000 = 1cm:5000cm, 1:20000=1cm:20000cm)
Usually in a contour map, the height of the contour lines are shown in metres (m).
Therefore, to convert back into metre, you should:
Measured Length of the Map (In cm) X Scale Denominator ÷ 100
= Actual Length in Reality (In m)
(E.g. The measured length from the map is 3cm and the scale is 1:20000. By using the
convertion length formula: 3.5 x 20000 ÷ 100 = 700m)
More Scales of Maps
1 : 5,000 1cm to 100m
Representative Linear Scale Word Scale
Fraction (R.F.)
Unit is the same Measure the length of the scale Unit may not be the same
1
1:5000 = 5000 and convert it into word scale but directly shown
1:x = 1x Each interval of scale may not be
exactly 1cm
Larger-scale Map Smaller coverage (zoom out), larger ratio value (i.e. 1:5000)
Smaller-scale Map Larger coverage (zoom in), smaller ratio value (i.e. 1:20000)
It is a comparative concept (Both maps exist to compare to have larger/smaller scale)
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Sub-module 4 - Sustainable Development
Map Reading Notes
4.1.2 Contour Map and it’s Features
What is a contour map?
● Contour map is a map that shows contour lines and height of geographical features
Elements in a Contour Map
❖ Contour Lines
➢ A line joining places of the same height
❖ Vertical Difference
➢ Difference between in height between two adjacent contour lines (Height)
❖ Fathom Line
➢ A line joining places with the same depth below sea level
➢ One fathom is 1.8288m (Around 1.83m)
Looking at horizontal distance:
● Use ruler to measure the length on the map in cm
● Use the convertion formula shown in 4.1.1 to express the actual length in reality
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Sub-module 4 - Sustainable Development
Map Reading Notes
4.1.3 Calculation of Gradient and Exaggerations
Methods for calculating gradient:
● tan θ (Where θ is an angle)
Rise
● Run
V ertical Distance
● Horizontal Distance
(VD/HD)
Expression of Gradient (Presentation):
● 1:X (In ratio form)
1
1:X = X
Getting Vertical Distance and Horizontal Distance from a map:
● Vertical Distance (Rise) = Height
○ Height of Higher Point - Height of Lower Point
● Horizontal Distance (Run) = Length
○ Distance between two points
Vertical Distance:
Height of B - Height of A
= 400 - 300 = 100m
Horizontal Distance:
Measurement on the map using
ruler: 4.2cm
In metre (Using convertion formula):
4.2 x 5000 ÷ 100 = 210m
Gradient: Vertical / Horizontal
=100/210
=1 : 2.1
Scale: 1:5000
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Sub-module 4 - Sustainable Development
Map Reading Notes
4.1.4 Drawing Cross Section of a Contour Map
Steps for drawing a cross section of a contour map
1. Write the title
a. e.g. Cross Section along/of XY
2. Label of X-axis
a. X on the left (origin) and Y on the right
3. Label of Y-axis
a. Unit (Height - m)
b. Determine the vertical scale (Sometimes, the question will provide the
vertical scale)
i. If the scale is 1:5000, then in your graph, your vertical scale should be
1cm:5000 ÷ 100 = 50m (1cm = 50m in your vertical y-axis)
ii. If the scale is 1:20000, then in your graph, your vertical scale should
be 1cm: 20000 ÷ 100 = 200m (1cm = 200m in your vertical y-axis)
c. Each interval marking (E.g. 100m, 200m, 300m, 400m…..)
d. The last marking should be the highest/second highest level of the contour
4. Draw the hill shape correspondingly according to the map
a. Mark the corresponding contour points on the graph paper
b. Mark points with the corresponding height on Y-axis
c. Connect the marked points by using a curve
d. Erase on unnecessary items
Reminders:
● In the highest contour, if it does not show the highest point height, then you
should draw above the height of that contour but do not exceed the height of the
next contour
● Points must be connected with each other
● If the question requires to draw distance AB, then your showing must be from A
(left) to B (right)
● Use ruler and a pencil for drawing cross section graphs
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Map Reading Notes
Example Demonstration
Draw the cross section of AB (Given vertical scale
is 1:5000) (4 marks)
According to the above steps:
1. Title: Cross Section of AB
2. Label of X-axis (A and B)
3. Label of Y-axis
a. Unit (Height - m)
b. Vertical Scale = 1:5000 = 1 cm to
50m
c. Each interval marking (0m, 50m,
100m, 150m, 200m, 250m, 300m,
350m, 400m)
Scale 1:5000 4. Draw the hill shape
➔ Title (0.5 mark)
➔ Vertical Scale (1 mark)
◆ Unit (Height (m)) (0.5 mark)
◆ Vertical Scale (1cm to 50m) (0.5
mark)
➔ Horizontal Scale (0.5 mark)
◆ Distance of AB =4cm
◆ Correct label of AB
➔ Shape of the figure (2 marks)
◆ Marking the correct height of
the points
◆ Connection of the points
Total: 4 marks / 4 marks
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Map Reading Notes
4.1.5 Vertical Exaggeration
Vertical Exaggeration
● The number of times that the scale of a cross section is greater than that of the
horizontal scale
● It shows the ratio of the height of the cross section to actual height of the relief
feature
V ertical Scale
● Formula: Horizontal Scale
Vertical Scale Horizontal Scale
Vertical Scale on the cross section The Scale provided from the map
Length of each interval on the cross section Directly copy from the map
(I.e. 1:5000) (I.e. 1:20000)
If the vertical scale is 1:5000 and horizontal scale is 1:20000, what is the vertical
1:5000 1 1 1
exaggeration? 1:20000
= 5000
÷ 20000
= 5000
× 20000 = 4
Therefore, the vertical exaggeration is 4. (No need unit)
4.1.6 Intervisibility
● Whether two places can be mutually seen
● Convex slope is usually has no intervisibility but concave slope usually has
intervisibility
● Determining Method: Draw a straight line between the two points and see whether
they are visible to each other
● P and Q are visible to each other
● Q and R are visible to each other
● P and R are NOT visible to each
other
● R and S are NOT visible to each
other
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Map Reading Notes
4.1.7 Concave and Convex Slope
Concave Slope Convex Slope
● Upper section is comparatively ● Lower section is comparatively
steeper than the lower section steeper than the upper section
● Contour lines at upper section are ● Contour lines at lower section are
closely packed closely packed
● A slope that curves inwards ● A slope that bulges outwards
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Map Reading Notes
4.1.8 Conventional Signs and it’s Features
(1:5000)
Conventional Height of a mountain
Trigonometric ● With a number beside representing the height of that
Station place (Trigonometric station)
● Locate at the peak of the mountain
Spot Height ● ● Show the highest point of a place
● With a number beside representing the height
Application of Conventional Height
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4.1.9 More about Geographical Features
Cliff ● Vertical Slope
● A wall-like slope
that develop
sharply downwards
● Contour lines are
overlapped
Ridge ● Narrow and long
part formed at the
highest part of a
mountain range
Saddle ● Concave part
between two
mountain peaks
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Spur ● The part that
bulges outwards
● Found between
valleys
● Shape like the
inverted letter V
Valley ● Narrow low-lying
area between
spurs
● In V-shape
● Can be found with
valley together
Valley Spur
● Higher Contour Lines ● Lower Contour Lines
● V-shaped ● U-shaped
● Dry ● Wet
● Rocky
● Little Vegetation
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Sub-module 4 - Sustainable Development
Map Reading Notes
Exercises for Map Reading (Data-based Question) (Scale = 1:20000)
(Note: C is a point pointing the trigonometric station 751m on the map)
(a) Draw the cross section of AB with a vertical scale of 1cm to 100m on a graph paper.
(4 marks)
(b) Referring to (a), find the vertical exaggeration of AB. (2 marks)
(c) Find the gradient of BC. (2 marks)
(d) What is the geographical feature shown in D? Explain with one characteristic of
feature D. (2 marks)
(e) What is the geographical feature shown in E? (1 mark)
(f) Is feature F and concave slope or convex slope? Explain with reasons. (2 marks)
(g) What conventional sign was shown in G? (1 mark)
(h) What is the difference between conventional feature C and conventional feature H?
Provide one example of difference. (2 marks)
