MAPWORK DEMYSTIFIED

A map is a diagram drawn to scale to represent features on the earth’ssurface. The

features are both human and natural. Map work is a component of geography paper 1 and
has 12 questions of the 40 questions asked in 2248/1.

The main concepts asked are grouped into six compounds listed below:

1.International symbols

2.Location of features using 4 figure and 6 figure grid reference

3. Measurement of the following:

a) Length
b) Bearing
c) Gradient
d) Altitude
e) Direction
f) Area

4. Features in map work

a) Drainage features.
b) Sites for dam construction.
c) Landforms and type of slopes

5.Patterns in map work

a) Drainage patterns
b) Settlement patterns
c) Street patterns

6. Land use in map work

Each map work question contains two or more of these concepts as they are seldom asked
in isolation.An apt example would be the November 2005/1 number 2 question

2. What is the length of the wide tarred road between the junction at 717170 and the
junction at 754134?

 Three concepts have been tested in this question…

i] Six figure grid reference (711170 and 754134)
ii] International symbols (wide tarred road)
iii] Measuring length

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THE CONCEPTS IN DETAIL

INTERNATIONAL SYMBOLS (CONVENTIONAL SYMBOLS)

Conventional symbols are markings, color, letters and sketches used on maps to represent
features on the earth’ssurface. Pupils should be conversant with the symbols to save time
in the examination since map work is time consuming.

Color symbols make use of different color shades to show features and land
use.Examples are the green color for vegetation, blue for drainage, and grey for smooth
rock, brown for cultivation.

Sketches try to imitate the actual feature represented on the map. Examples include a
church, building, quarry and mine dump.

Markings include cadastral, roads, power lines and aerodromes.

Letter symbols make use of letters to represent features. Examples are listed below:

PS Police Station
DAO District Administration Office
S Spring
B Borehole

Care should be taken of same letters used to represent different features and differently
put. For example the letter “W” is used to represent a waterfall on a river channel whilst
it also represents a well when it is put elsewhere not on a river channel. The same letter
also represents a waterhole when shown combined with an H for example “WH”.

November 2013 number 5 is an example of a question which directly asked what a

symbol is representing otherwise symbols are often asked within other major concepts.

Familiarize yourself with all the symbols

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LOCATING FEATURES ON A MAP

A map is usually squashed with features such that locating places is a nightmare and time
consuming. Cartographers have thus drawn vertical and horizontal lines on the maps to
help locate features quickly, correctly and timeously. There are two sets of lines: the
vertical and the horizontal ones. These are further clarified below.

4 FIGURE GRID REFERENCE

The vertical and horizontal lines are numbered. The numbering system is a two digit
systemper line such that when two lines are used it gives a four digit system, which is the
4 figure grid system.4 figure grid reference is the backbone of all other concepts as all
concepts are asked in conjunction with it. Thus one cannot answer any other question
without understanding the 4 figure grid.

Vertical lines numbering system increases toward the east hence there are also known as
eastings. This is illustrated below:

09 10 11 12

09 10 11 12

NB: The east is the right hand side of your map.

Horizontal lines numbering system increases toward the north hence they are known as
northings. This is illustrated below:

72 72

71 71

70 70

NB: The north is the upside of your map. 03

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The 4 figure grid is thus a combination of 2 figures of the easting and 2 figures of the
northing to make 4 figures. When presented with a 4 figure grid the FIRST 2 DIGITS
ARE EASTINGS. Follow the two lines and where they meet take the top right grid
(box). The whole area covered by the box is thearea being referred to. This is illustrated
below: 9052
89 90 91

54 54

8953
9153

53 53

9052

52 52

89 90 91

Examples from past exam papers are listed below:

June 2002 (Kashambi Map)

1. In which grid square would you find two spot heights, a hill and a track?
A. 0068
B.9064
C.0371
D.9672

November 2002 (Birchnough Bridge Map)

1. Which of the following grid squares has the highest number of huts and buildings?
A.3139
B.3289
C.3389
D.3489

November 2014 (Kezi Map)

1. What is the four figure grid reference of Nzula B.C.?
A.8241
B.4183
C.4182
D.8341
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Care should be taken to observe the golden rule that EASTINGS ARE ALWAYS FIRST.
This is particularly important in the last given question. Key A 8241 does not exist on the
map because there is no easting 82, rather 82 is a northing. So if a candidate does not
follow the golden rule he will be tricked into starting with the northings since 82 is in the
northings and his answer will be wrong.

Candidates should also be careful with the wording of the question, for example if the
question requires a hut, look for the grid with one hut only and if its huts find the grid
with more than one hut.

6 FIGURE GRID REFERENCE

The six figure grid is an extension of the four figure grid. It is more accurate as it shows
the exact location of a feature.Each grid is divided into 10 units of 2mm length each. This
creates a third figure for each line such that the joined lines now make six figures. It is
the easting and its unit combined with the northing and its unit which make up the six
figures. The first three figures are thus eastings and the last three figures are northings.
Make it a habit to call out a six figure grid in such a manner for example 534368, which
is easting and then its unit, northing and then its unit. When looking for a six figure grid
use the following steps:

1. Get the four figure from the given six figure grid. (The four figures are the first two
digits and the fourth and fifth digits.)
2. Locate the four figure on the map.
3. Divide the grid square into two sets of 10 units of 2mm each, that is one set for
eastings and the other for northings.
4. Begin your counting from zero at the maineasting figure up to nine which is the line
2mm before the next main easting and then do the same with the northings. Remember
your main northing and main easting are the units zero, so when counting units count
them as well.
4. Look for the units counting from zero up to the required points for both easting and
northings.(The third and last digits are the units.)
NB: Where the two lines meet that’s the actual location wanted.

This is exemplified below:

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Letters A, B, D, E and F are all in grid square 0815.Letter C is in a different grid which is
0915. The six figure grid reference for D is 080153. Calculate the six figure grid for the
other letters.

MEASUREMENTS

i) DIRECTION
Compass points are used to state the direction of given features. The compass points are
illustrated below:

Generally the right hand side is the east, the left hand side is the west, the top part is the
north and the bottom side is the south. Candidates should understand the point they are
measuring direction from. For example if asked what is the direction of the dip tank from
the church, in simple terms it means you are at the church and in which direction is the
dip tank. This is illustrated below:

In the above example the church is to the south west of the dip tank. 06

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ii) ALTITUDE
Altitude is height. It is the vertical distance between given points. On maps altitude is
represented by some of the following features:
Contour lines
Spot heights
Trigonometrical stations

Contour lines are brown lines which show places with the same height. They have a
20mdifference in height. There are the most common on the map.Some have labeled
heights but for some candidates have to calculate their height using the 20m difference
per contour line.

Spot heights are full stop like and have their altitudewritten in front of the full stop. They
show the altitude of that particular point.

Trigonometrical stations are triangles with a full stop in its center .They are placed on top
of some relief features. Its height is also indicated close.

Steps to follow to measure height

1. Check for contour lines close to the feature.
2. Check their height by following the contour lines to a numbered point.
3. If the contour lines are not numbered then calculate their height from the nearby
numbered contours.
4. The altitude of a feature in between two contours is the midway point of the two
heights. The altitude of a feature with a contour line passing on it is the height of that
contour line.

This is illustrated below:

What is the altitude of the quarry and the spring shown below?

Quarry is 1800m since the 1800m contour passes on it.

Spring is 1830m since it’s between the 1820m and 1840m contours. 07

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iii) LENGTH

Length is the horizontal distance between two points. Questions require pupils to measure
length either on a winding course or on a straight course.Generally 2cm on the map
represent 1km on the actual ground. A line scale is usually inserted at the bottom of the
map before the key, which pupils should use to convert the length from centimeters to
meters and kilometers.

The first step is to identify the feature you are required to measure and this has already
been covered in the location section. To measure length on a straight course candidate
should use a straight edged paperto mark where the feature begins and ends. Take the
paper to the line scale andalign the beginning mark with the zero point on the line scale
and measure the distance. Any distance less than a kilometer should be measured at the
100m calibrated kilometer.

To measure distance on a winding course one should use either a straight edged paper or
a more flexible string in order to follow the winding course. Follow the feature given
using the string from its beginning to the end (as given on question). Mark the beginning
and the end on your string. Straighten the string and measure the length on the line scale.

When using a straight edged paper one should mark the beginning point on both the
paper and the map. Then mark the first straight band on both map and paper. Shift the
paper marking every straight band aligning where you last marked on paper and map
until reaching the end point. After this measure your distance on the line scale.

NB: Accuracy is very necessary.

iv)AREA

Area is length multiplied by width. The side of a single grid square is 1km, thus the area
of each grid square is 1km². Use the following steps to calculate area:

1. Identify the boundary of the area to be calculated.

2. Count the number of complete grid squares within the area
3.Join the remainingsquares estimating to form complete squares and count the number
of complete squares you have estimated.
4.Add the answers for the second step and the third step
5. The answer you get is already in km²

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v) BEARING

Bearing is direction expressed as an angle. It is more accurate vas compared to using

compass points. The points below should be general knowledge and used to estimate
bearing. However a protractor is more accurate and measures the actual distance.

*A complete revolution is 360

* ¾ revolution is 270°
*½ revolution is 180°
*¼revolution is 90°

Steps to follow
1. Identify the two points given points
2. Join the two places on the map using a pencil and a ruler
3. Draw a vertical line (north-south line) at the point mentioned last in the question
4. Markan angle from the vertical line in a clockwise direction to the line joining the two
places
5. Estimate the angle using general knowledge given above and check if they isonly one
answer within that range
6.If they is more than one answer, then use a protractor to measure the actual angle

vi) GRADIENT

Gradient is . It is calculated using the below formula.

Gradient =difference in height

horizontal distance

Steps to follow
1. Identify the given points
2. Subtract the given heights to find difference in height
3. Measure the length on a line parallel to the horizontal lines (northings) to find the
horizontal distance
4. Convert the horizontal distance from km to meters
5. Divide the difference in height into the horizontal distance
6. The answer you get express it as a ratio ie 1: the answer you got

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FEATURES

i) DRAINAGE FEATURES

Pupils should refer to the key to understand drainage features. However the following
features are not shown in the key:

*meanders
*ox bow lake
*confluence – point where two rivers meet
*watershed – area separating two or more drainage basins (riversystems)
*braiding – deposited materials within the river
*narrow river course
*wide river course

Another important drainage feature asked is suitable sites for dam construction. Dams
should be constructed where they are gorgesie contour lines close to each other on both
sides of the river.

ii) RELIEF FEATURES

Relief features are not shown on the key. On the map they are represented by contour
lines (the brown lines). Different landforms are shown by how the contour lines are
arranged.

The most common relief features are illustrated below:

Conical hill: Series of concentric rings (circular)

Ridge: Elongated upland

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Plateau: A wide, flat topped upland. The top may be used for cultivation

Gap: A depression between two uplands

Pass: Similar to a gap but occurs on higher altitude and is narrower. However some
consider them the same

SLOPE TYPES

Steep slope: Contour lines are close to each other

Gentle slope: Contour lines are further apart

Convex slope: The summit (top)slope. Gentle slope first followed by a steep slope

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Concave slope: The basal (bottom) slope. Steep slope first followed by a gentle slope

PATTERNS IN MAPWORK

Patterns refer to how features are arranged. It is the form, the appearance, the
resemblance. There are three patterns important in map work questions, which are
drainage patterns, settlement patterns and street patterns.

i) DRAINAGE PATTERNS
This refers to how rivers or a river and tributaries are arranged to as determined by the
relief of the area. There are four drainage patterns which are mainly asked, these are
dendritic drainage pattern, radial drainage pattern, trellis drainage pattern and rectangular
drainage pattern.

DENDRITIC DRAINAGE PATTERN

Tributaries join the main river at an acute angle to form a tree like pattern. It occurs on
rocks of uniform hardness (homogenous rocks). This is illustrated below:

RADIAL DRAINAGE PATTERN

More than one river flow in different directions froman upland. The pattern resembles an
overflowing pot of porridge or the spokes of a bicycle.

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TRELLIS DRAINAGE PATTERN
Tributaries join the main river at a right angle (90°). It occurs on alternating hard and soft
rocks(heterogeneous).

RECTANGULAR DRAINAGE PATTERN

Tributaries join the main river at a right angle (90°). Tributaries may even move in the
opposite direction with the main river. It occurs on highly fractured rock surfaces usually
affected by faulting (structural control). It is more or less similar to trellis.

ii) SETTLEMENT PATTERNS

This refers to how huts or buildings are arranged, in relation to human or physical
features in the area. There are five main settlement patterns asked, which are linear,
circular, radial, nucleated and dispersed.

LINEAR SETTLEMENT PATTERN

Huts and or buildingsare in one line. There are usually along a road, river, watershed,
mountain base, cultivated area. The key word are along and one line.

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RADIAL SETTLEMENT PATTERN
Huts and or buildings are along many roads radiating from a central nodal point.The key
phrase is along many roads.

NUCLEATED SETTLEMENT PATTERN

Huts and or buildings aregrouped together at a central point. It is also known as
clustered pattern. Roads may radiate from the central point but settlements do not follow
the roads but are grouped together within a kilometer distance. The key phrase is
grouped together.

CIRCULAR SETTLEMENT PATTERN

Huts and or buildingsencircle a feature. There surround a well, a mountain, or even area
under cultivation.

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DISPERSED SETTLEMENT PATTERN
Huts and or buildings are far from each other usually a distance of a kilometer or more
apart. It develops in commercial farming areas, areas with a rugged terrain and also those
with infertile soils.

iii) STREET PATTERNS

This applies only to cities and towns. It is how roads form a particular pattern usually
where the roads meet. There are three main street patterns which are grid iron street
pattern, circular street pattern and deranged street pattern.

i) GRID IRON STREET PATTERN

Roads form squares where they meet. It’s the pattern formed by the streets and avenues
of the CBD’s of our cities in Zimbabwe. It is used to reduce traffic congestion and it is
the most common in our city centers in Zimbabwe.

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ii) CIRCULAR STREET PATTERN
Roads radiate from a central point and there are also ring roads forming concentric circles
from the central point.

iii) DERANGED STREET PATTERN

This is no pattern at all. The roads have no distinct pattern but are just in a haphazard
manner.

LAND USE IN MAP WORK

This seeks into what the land is being used for. Questions may give you a specific area to
look into or just give you the whole map. Below are common land uses:

ADMINSTRATION: shown by built up area and or just buildings.

RECREATION: land used for leisure ie tennis court, golf course, park, swimming pool
etc
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FARMING: cultivation, plantation, irrigation, furrows etc

NB: Just specify what the land is being used for.

THE END

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