Question

What procedure is followed for map interpretation?

Answer 1

The following procedure is followed in map interpretation:

1. Finding from the index number of the topographical sheet, the location of the area in India. This would give an idea of the general characteristics of the major and minor physiographic divisions of the area.
2. Find the scale of the map and the contour interval, which will give the extent and general landform of the area.
3. Find the following features on tracing sheets:
   1. Major landforms – as shown by contours and other graphical features.
   2. Drainage and water features – the main river and its important tributaries.
   3. Land use – i.e. forest, agricultural land, wastes, sanctuary, park, school, etc.
   4. Settlement and Transport pattern.
4. Explain the distributional pattern of each of the features separately drawing attention to the most important aspect.
5. Superimpose pairs of these maps and note down the relationship, if any, between the two patterns. For example, if a contour map is superimposed over a land-use map, it provides the relationship between the degree of slope and the type of land used.
6. Aerial photographs and satellite imageries of the same area and of the same scale can also be compared with the topographical map to update the information.