Transcription of Map Scales - USGS
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Map Scales - USGS
The proportion chosen for a particularmap is its scale. Selecting the appropriatescale depends on the size of the sheet ofpaper and the accurate placement offeatures. Ground area, rivers, lakes,roads, distances between features, and soon must be shown proportionately smallerthan they really are. LLaarrggee IIss SSmmaallllSimply defined, scale is the relationshipbetween distance on the map and distanceon the ground. A map scale usually isgiven as a fraction or a ratio 1/10,000 or1:10, "representative fraction" scalesmean that 1 unit of measurement on themap 1 inch or 1 centimeter represents10,000 of the same units on the the scale were 1:63,360, for instance,then 1 inch on the map would represent63,360 inches, or 1 mile, on the ground(63,360 inches divided by 12 inchesequals 5,280 feet, or 1 mile). The firstnumber (map distance) is always 1. Thesecond number (ground distance) isdifferent for each scale; the larger thesecond number is, the smaller the scale ofthe map. "The larger the number, thesmaller the scale" sounds confusing, butit is easy to understand.
Information The table below shows information about maps available from the USGS. For information on other USGS products and services, call 1-888-ASK-USGS, use the Ask.USGS fax service, which is available 24 hours a day at 703-648-4888, or visit the general interest publications Web site on mapping, geography, and related topics at mac.usgs.gov ...
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