To correctly determine the location of the objects indicated on the map, you need to know the scale that was used in its compilation. As a rule, the scale is indicated in the lower right corner of the map. If it is missing, you can determine it yourself.
Instructions
Step 1
Find a kilometer grid on the map to measure the scale. The side of each square of the grid is equal to a certain number of kilometers. To find out this number, read the captions at the exit of the grid lines at the very edge of the map. For example, the distance between two lines of a kilometer grid is conventionally equal to 1 km.
Step 2
Take a regular ruler. Measure how much this distance is equal to the veil. For example, it is 2 centimeters. In this case, in order to determine the scale, you need to compare the 2 obtained values. In other words: 2 cm = 1 km, 1 cm = 500 m, therefore, the scale is 1: 50,000.
Step 3
View the map nomenclature to find out the scale. The nomenclature itself is the numerical-letter name of the card. Each scale row is assigned a specific meaning. For example, if the name of the map contains M-35, this means that the scale of the map is 1: 1,000,000, if M-35-XI, then 1: 200000, if M-35-18-A-6-1, then 1: 10000.
Step 4
As you can see, in this case, you can determine the scale without additional measurements. Download a complete list of nomenclature topographic symbols from the Internet. This will be quite enough if the name of the map is available.
Step 5
Scale the map using known distances. This method is as follows. Some maps show kilometer poles located on the highway. To find out the scale, you need to measure the distance between these pillars using a ruler, then compare it with the obtained value and convert it to a scale.
Step 6
You can also find out the scale of the map by the characteristic features. For example, on all maps at a scale of 1: 200000 there is a designation of the distances between settlements. As in the previous case, measure this distance with a ruler, and then compare the value indicated and the value obtained.
