When we study geography, we have to study a lot of information about the world. For that, it is necessary to refer to maps prepared under different themes. In an Atlas, maps are included under different themes.

At present, the maps have become a compulsory tool in day to day activities. Sri Lanka Atlas Book printed by the Survey Department of Sri Lanka is one example for a map book in current usage.

The skills of identifying basic features like,

and the skill of using a map book correctly can be received by referring to an atlas.

Different Types of Maps

Different types of maps are included in an atlas. Following maps in “Sri Lanka Sithiyam Sangrahaya” (Sri Lanka atlas book), can be shown as examples

Direction.

Showing the direction on any map is compulsory. But figure of direction is not shown on some maps in map books. On such occasions, the direction where the heading of the map is shown is considered as North and other directions are determined accordingly. A map can be oriented accurately when the directions of the map are set correctly to the corresponding directions of the mapped area. Accordingly, from the place where you stay, the directions of the places marked on the map can be identified correctly.

Scale.

It is impossible to draw all the things found on the land at the same size on the map. In map books scale of each map is given. According to the scale, the size of the map too is changed. The differences among the scales could be understood further when the scale of wall map in the school and the scales found in map books are compared. According to the need, the map drawn may be large or small.

Key

The key too is compulsory to read maps. Every piece of information represented on the map is shown in the key by conventional signs. Identify how the key is helpful to read a map by observing the following map.

Index

An index compiled according to the alphabetical order is set in map books. It is helpful to find the location of a certain place. The relevant index to the road map of Sri Lanka shown on page no 104-109 in the book “Jathika Sithiyam Sangraya” (National Map Collection) is given on pages 110-114 in the same book. There is a grid on these maps and they are named by letters horizontally and by numbers vertically. Accordingly, the location of a place can be found by observing the gride of the map with reference to the letters and numbers in the index.

Copying maps.

Copying maps can be done in different ways. Methods of copying have developed with technology.

Step One