Map skills: scale, distance, area, gradient, direction & bearings
This is the Paper-2 skills lesson that wins the most marks — and it is almost entirely calculation, worked out together step by step. We start with the four things every map must have: title, key, scale and direction. Then we use the scale to measure straight and winding distance (map centimetres × scale), calculate area by counting grid squares, and work out gradient as rise ÷ run written as a ratio, such as 150 m ÷ 3000 m = 1:20. We measure direction with the sixteen-point compass and take bearings in degrees clockwise from north, including back bearings, and we pinpoint any place on Earth with latitude and longitude — reading Windhoek off as about 22°S, 17°E. Every number is drawn out on a board so you can see exactly where it comes from, and Namibian maps ground it all in the real landscape.
By the end you should be able to (NSSCAS Geography (AS) 4.1a):
- identify the characteristics of a map such as the title, key, scale and direction
- demonstrate the ability to use the scale in measuring distance, calculating area and gradient
- demonstrate the ability to find direction and calculate bearings
- locate features on a map using the latitude and longitude coordinate system
Mr Robert and Mike talk through the whole topic — with the figure and working drawn live.