NCERT MOST IMPORTANT QUESTIONS CLASS – 11 | GEOGRAPHY | GEOGRAPHY- PRACTICAL WORK IN GEOGRAPHY | CHAPTER- 1 | INTRODUCTION TO MAPS | EDUGROWN |

In This Post we are  providing  CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION TO MAPS NCERT MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION for Class 11 GEOGRAPHY which will be beneficial for students. These solutions are updated according to 2021-22 syllabus. These   can be really helpful in the preparation of Board exams and will provide you with a brief knowledge of the chapter.

NCERT MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION ON INTRODUCTION TO MAPS

Question 1.
What are the basic limitations of maps?
Answer:
Map is two dimensional. It is impossible to present the accurate shape of the earth with the help of map. Moreover, it can’t be accurate in terms of area, volume and distance. Above all, we cannot show the entire earth on a map without disturbing its shape.

Question 2.
When was oldest map drawn?
Answer:
The oldest map was found in Mesopotamia drawn on a clay tablet that belongs to 2,500 B.C.

Question 3.
Why are maps considered an important tool for geography?
Answer:
Geographers need maps for following purposes:

• To get information about resources, their development and planning for their utilization;
• To study changes that are taking place on the earth;
• To understand various physical factors;
• To understand the inter-relationship between physical and human resources;
• To make a comparative analysis and
• To present facts in a way that has a memorizing effect.

Question 4.
How is area of map measured using a planimeter?
Answer:
The area calculation is also carried out using Polar Planimeter. In this instrument, a measure is made of the movement of a rod whose locus is constrained by having one end fixed to a radial arc. The area to be measured is traced along its perimeter in a clockwise direction with an index mark, starting from one convenient point to which the index of the tracing arm must exactly return. Reading on the dial, before and after the tracing of area’s perimeter, will give a value in instrumental units. These readings are multiplied by the same constant for the particular instrument to convert into areas in square inches or centimetres.

Question 5.
How is direction of map measured?
Answer:
Direction is defined as an imaginary straight line on the map showing the angular position to a common base direction. The line pointing to the north is zero direction or the base direction line. A map always shows the north direction. All other directions are determined in to this relation. The north direction enables the map- user to locate different features with respect to each other. The four commonly known directions are North, South, East and West. These are also called the cardinal points. In between the cardinal points, one may have several intermediate directions.

Question 6.
How is distance between maps measured by geographer, planner and other resource researcher?
Answer:
The linear features shown on the maps fall into two broad categories, i. e. straight lines and erratic or zigzag lines. The measurement of straight line features like roads, railway lines and canals is simple. It can be taken directly with a pair of dividers or a scale placed on the map surface. However, distances are required, more often, along erratic paths, i.e. the coastlines, rivers and streams. The distances along all such features can be measured by placing a thread at the starting point and carrying it along the line up to the end point. The thread is then stretched and measured to determine the distance. It can also be measured by using a simple instrument called Rotameter. The wheel of the ‘rotameter’ is moved along the route to measure the distance.

Question 7.
Explain in detail about physical maps.
Answer:
Physical maps: Physical maps show- natural features such as relief, geology, soils, drainage, elements of weather, climate and vegetation, etc. These are of following types:

1. Relief Maps: Relief maps show general topography of an area like mountains and valleys, plains, plateaus and drainage.
2. Geological maps: Geological Maps are drawn to show geological structures, rock types, etc.
3. Climatic Maps: Climatic Maps depict climatic regions of an area. Besides, maps are also drawn to show the distribution of temperature.

Question 8.
Explain the essentials of map making.
Answer:
There are five essentials of map making. These are: Scale, map projection, map generalisation, map design and map construction and production.

1. Scale: All maps are reductions. The first decision that a map-maker has to take is about the scale of the map. The choice of scale is of utmost importance. The scale of a map sets limits of information contents and the degree of reality with which it can be delineated on the map.

2. Projection: Maps are a simplified representation of the three-dimensional surface of the earth on a plane sheet of paper. The transformation of all-side- curved-geoidal surface into a plane surface is another important aspect of the cartographic process. Such a radical transformation introduces some unavoidable changes in directions, distances, areas and shapes from the way they appear on a geoid. A system of transformation of the spherical surface to the plane surface is called a map projection. Hence, the choice, utilisation and construction of projections is of prime importance in map-making.

3. Generalisation: Every map is drawn with a definite objective. For example, a general purpose map is drawn to show information of a general nature such as relief, drainage, vegetation, settlements, means of transportation, etc. Similarly, a special purpose map exhibits information pertaining to one or more selected themes like population density, soil types or location of industries. It is, therefore, necessary to carefully plan the map contents while the purpose of the map must be kept in the forefront.

4. Map Design: It involves the planning of graphic characteristics of maps including the selection of appropriate symbols, their size and form, style of lettering, specifying the width of lines, selection of colours and shades, arrangement of various elements of map design within a map and design for map legend.

5. Map Construction and Production: The drawing of maps and their reproduction is the fifth major task in the cartographic process. It can be manual or computerised method.

Question 9.
How does a geographer measure the distance?
Answer:
The measurement of area of features like that of administrative and geographic units is also carried out over the surface of the map by map-users. There are different methods in which areas can be determined.

1. By means of regular pattern of squares: In this method, the area to be measured is covered by squares by
placing a sheet of graph paper beneath the map on an illuminated tracing table or by tracing the area onto the square sheet. The total number of ‘whole squares’ are summed up, together with ‘partial squares’. The area is then determined by a simple equation:

2. By using Polar Planimeter: In this instrument, a measure is made of the movement of a rod whose locus is constrained by having one end fixed to a radial arc. The area to be measured is traced along its perimeter in a clockwise direction with an index mark, starting from one convenient point to which the index of the tracing arm must exactly return. Reading on the dial, before and after the tracing of area’s perimeter, will give a value in instrumental units. These readings are multiplied by the same constant for the particular instrument to convert into areas in square inches or centimetres.

Question 10.
Explain in detail about cultural maps.
Answer:
Cultural Maps: Cultural maps show man-made features. These include a variety of maps showing population distribution and growth, sex and age, social and religious composition, literacy, levels of educational attainment, occupational structure, location of settlements, facilities and services, transportation lines and production, distribution and flow of different commodities.

• Political Maps: These maps show the administrative divisions of an area such as country, state or district. These maps facilitate the administrative machinery in planning and management of the concerned administrative unit.
• Population Maps: The population maps are drawn to show the distribution, density and growth of population, age and sex composition, distribution of religious, linguistic and social groups, occupational structure of the population, etc.
• Economic Maps: Economic maps depict production and distribution of different types of crops and minerals, location of industries and markets, routes for trade and flow of commodities.
• Transportation Maps: These maps show roads, railway lines and the location of railway stations and airports.