Question

How can the occupation of people be inferred directly from a topographical sheet?

Answer 1

OCCUPATIONS — Occupations of people can be inferred directly from a topographical map. The type of settlements in the region as well as the way in which the local people use the land can give you an idea in this regard. Some of the common ways by which the local inhabitants use the land are:

1. Agriculture: If large tracts of land indicate cultivation of crops then most of the people are farmers or cultivators.
2. Mining: If there are indications of mines and quarries (especially marble and stone quarries) then mining or working in quarries can be inferred as the main occupation.
3. Fishing: If a settlement is near a large river or the sea coast, fishing will obviously be the main occupation of the inhabitants.
4. Manufacturing: Large settlements such as towns will indicate the presence of factories and hence manufacturing will be the main occupation.
5. Trading: A large settlement with many cart tracks, roads, and railway lines converging will indicate that the town is a market town with access to trade and commerce