1. What is a globe?

A globe is a small scale three dimensional replica of the Earth. It is mounted on an axis so that it can be rotated freely. The lines of latitude and longitude are drawn on the globe. The shapes of the continents and the oceans are shown quite accurately.

2. What are the demerits of globe?

The demerits of globes are:

      1.  A globe cannot show the details of landforms, location of small towns etc.

      2.  Larger globes can show some details but they are difficult to handle.

      3.  It is also impossible to carry large globe.

3. What is map?

A map is a representation of the Earth as a whole or a part of the Earth on a flat surface according to a given scale. It can show continents, countries, cities and even a  local area, with all the details.

4. What is cartography?

The science of map making is called Cartography. (‘carte’ in French means map and ‘graphic’ means drawing)

5. What is map projection?

Cartographers show the curved surface of the Earth on flat map by a method called map projection. It is however, impossible to reproduce the spherical surface on a flat piece of paper.

6. What are the types of maps?

The main types of map are:

      1. Political maps

      2.  Physical maps

      3. Topographical maps

      4. Climatic maps

      5. Tourist maps

      6. Thematic maps

7. What are political maps?

Political maps are maps that show the boundaries of countries, states and districts. They also show the locations of cities, towns and villages.

8. What are physical maps?

Physical maps are maps that show the landforms and water bodies on the Earth’s surface, such as mountains, plateau, plains, rivers, lakes and seas.

9. What are topographical maps?

Topographical maps are maps that show both natural and man-made features with the help of conventional symbols. It is also known as contour maps.

10. What are climatic maps?

Climatic maps are maps that show weather conditions like temperature, pressure, winds, rainfall etc.

11. How is a globe useful?

Being a spherical model of the Earth a globe gives us a clear picture of what the Earth actually looks like. It helps in the study of the Earth and gives us an idea about the shape and location of different continents, countries, oceans and seas.

12. What are the advantages of a map over a globe?

The advantages of a map over a globe are:

         1.  Maps are small and handy.
         2.  Maps can be folded and carried.
         3.  Maps show small areas in great details while the globe only shows what the Earth actually looks like.

13. What are tourist maps?

Tourist maps are maps that show details of hill stations, historical places and other places of tourist interest.

14. What are thematic maps?

Thematic maps are maps that show the distribution of forests, crops, minerals, industries etc.

15. What is the true shape of the Earth?

The Earth look like an orange, bulging on the side and slightly flat at the top and bottom. The true shape of the Earth is geoid.

16. Which map provides detailed information?

Large scale maps provides detailed information.

17. What are the uses of maps?

Maps are useful for students and common people alike. They are easy to handle and can be carried everywhere. Maps provide a lot of information to planners. Planning of roads, residential complexes, factories, parks and many other things is done on the basis of information given in maps.

18. Write about different colors used in a map?

All maps follow a common scheme of colors.

         1.  Water bodies are always shown in blue.
         2.   Mountains and highlands are shown in brown and yellow. Snow covered areas are shown in white.
         3.   Plains and lowlands are shown in green.

19. Why are maps easier to handle compared to a globe?

Maps are small and handy. They can be folded and carried easily to different places. Therefore, maps are easier to handle compared to a globe.

20. What is sketch?

Sketch is a map drawn without a scale and without any conventional symbols. The rough drawing is called a sketch. It may cover a small or large area.

21. What is a plan?

A plan is a detailed drawing of a small area based on actual measurements taken on the ground. Plans are drawn when many details of a small area are to be shown. A plan shows a small area on a large scale while a map shows a large area on a small scale.