Cartographic representation of an area is often called the second language of geography. This language is short, simple and accessible to everyone. Most often, different territories and economic objects depicted using maps and plans. How does a topographic plan differ from a geographic map?

A map, like a plan, is a reduced image of objects made using special signs. In essence, a topographic plan is a type of map. However, each of these drawings has its own specifics and distinctive features.

The top plan of the area is detail drawing relatively small area. It could be an apartment a private house, square, city district or gardening association. The detailed image of the plan has the following features:

1. All terrain elements, metric parameters and characteristics of engineering structures, soil, vegetation, houses, roads, reservoirs and other objects are indicated in detail.
2. Data is taken from aerial photography or on the ground. It is created after processing geodesy data, using generally accepted schematic symbols. These signs are quite primitive and visually resemble the objects depicted - bridges, swamps, meadows, trees, houses, etc.
3. Highlighted in color water bodies and vegetation.
4. Plans are always large-scale - from 1:5000 to 1:100 and larger. All objects on the plan are labeled.
5. The sides of the horizon must be indicated. North is indicated by an arrow pointing up.

Topplan contains detailed information a relatively small area. It displays parameters and characteristics with maximum accuracy land plot, terrain and all objects located on this site.

Using a plan, you can compare the position of objects relative to each other, see the direction of rivers, what tree species predominate in the forest, soil composition, and so on. Based on the top plan data, they plan the development of the territory, the laying of roads, other communications, and the location of crops. They are often used by tourists.

A geographic map is a generalized image of the entire surface of the Earth or a fairly large area of ​​it. The generalized image of the map differs as follows:

1. Only the most significant objects are indicated - large cities, reservoirs, mountains. To compile them, data from satellite images are used.
2. Objects are depicted in a special way - with special icons, areas, isolines, using layer-by-layer coloring. Populated areas are shown with circles or dots. The icons are explained in the map legend.
3. Areas covered with water and the terrain are highlighted in color. Color saturation conveys the depth and height of an object.
4. A small scale is used. Does not contain characteristics of the depicted objects.
5. A degree grid is drawn. The location of the cardinal points is determined by the direction of the meridians and parallels.

A map is always a generalized, greatly reduced image of the surface of the Earth, another planet or space. It accurately reproduces the contours of continents and large natural objects, preserving their actual proportions.

The difference between geographic maps is that they depict much larger areas on a small scale. They contain general information. When drawing up a map, the mathematical principle of constructing images is used - projection; the curvature of the earth's surface is taken into account. A toplan is always a flat image.

The main differences between a topographic plan and a geographic map are the scale and completeness of the image.

The meaning of maps and plans

Since ancient times, travelers and explorers have used various drawings terrain. Maps and plans do not lose their relevance in life modern man:

• geologists, ship captains, civil and military aviation pilots use them in their daily professional activity;
• they are used to calculate the areas of objects and territories, determine height and depth, and measure distances;
• the ability to read maps allows you to navigate expeditions, tourist trips, transport and unfamiliar city;
• with the help of special cards you can predict various natural phenomena– weather, earthquakes, floods.

Exploring any territory always begins with studying maps and plans. They are the basis for analysis natural conditions and making decisions about placement settlements, dams, power plants, communications.

The article talks about how a plan differs from a map, what their purpose is, what types they are and where they are used.

Ancient times

IN time immemorial, even before the widespread development and discovery of continents, people began to draw up the first maps. Including sea ones. But due to imperfection (or lack of) measuring instruments their first samples, to put it mildly, were not very accurate and varied greatly depending on the regions and authors. Often, due to the impossibility of creating more accurate landmarks and other things, compilers compensated for this with artistic design.

But in the Middle Ages this became a little better, especially with the advent of the great geographical discoveries cartography began to develop more and more. But how is a plan different from a map? And what is their purpose? We'll figure this out.

Map

According to the official definition, a map is a depiction of the Earth's surface with the placement of objects, a clear definition of distance and scale. And cards vary greatly depending on their purpose and type. Either an entire hemisphere or individual regions continents.

There are three main types of them: general geographical, thematic and socio-economic.

Geographical ones are distinguished by the clear content of the Earth's relief, altitude above sea level, river beds, seas, lakes, and so on.

Thematic ones are devoted to individual phenomena, regions, cities or natural areas. For example, a separate forest, nature reserve, area in the mountains, tourist route or city.

Socio-economic indicators show not only the area of ​​a particular continent, but also reflect its condition. For example, by the number and type of grown cultivated plants, mining or natural area- steppe, forest, desert, etc. Also, similar maps include political ones, which show in detail the outlines of state borders, and demographic ones, which reflect the number of population or its growth and decline.

We figured this out, but how is a plan different from a map?

Plan

A plan is not a map in the usual sense; it differs from it primarily in its large scale, the absence geographical coordinates, for example, such as meridians. Simply put, a plan shows a small area of ​​land with symbols the last one. It can be either official, observing the proportions of objects and distances, or homemade, not distinguished by factual accuracy, but correctly conveying the meaning.

The plan and the map are similar in their purpose, both are needed for but serve for different purposes. For example, the first one can be a cadastral one, showing all buildings and boundaries of property plots, or an evacuation one, according to which people leave the premises in the event of a fire or other incident.

Also, the plan is usually drawn up in conditions where it is not possible to resort to a map or its scale is not enough. So now we know how a plan differs from a map.

Modern technologies

With the development of the aerospace industry, mapping has become much easier. The thing is that satellites in orbit cope with this task perfectly; with the help of their optics you can see even the smallest objects, and, if necessary, a specific person.

For a long time satellite maps were at the disposal of only military forces, but relatively recently with the advent of the Internet in our lives, everyone received access to them. They are updated much more often than the usual paper ones, and they are convenient to use. In addition to the surface of the Earth itself, they contain various relevant information - names of cities, house numbers and streets, data on the work of various organizations, etc.

It is also worth mentioning maps of sea currents, which serve as a guide for sailors.

To summarize: a map is a geographical image of the Earth with precise symbols and scale. A plan is a large picture of a site or building, the landmarks of which can be both real and very approximate.

This is the difference between a plan and a map.

Education

A site plan is... How do plans differ from maps?

The second language of geography is cartographic representation. Even ancient sailors used maps. When planning the expedition, the researchers collected all available cartographic materials for the required area. Upon completion, the results were transferred to paper. This is how the area plan was created. This was the basis for creating new maps. What is a terrain plan and what are its fundamental differences from a geographical map?

What is a site plan?

The very first maps in human history were plans. Now they are used in almost all branches of science and technology: construction cannot be done without them, agriculture, engineering surveys, etc.

A terrain plan is a large-scale image of a section of the earth's surface, the creation of which uses conventional signs. As a rule, these cartographic images are compiled for small areas with areas of up to several square kilometers. In this case, the curvature of the earth's surface does not affect the image in any way.

How is a plan different from a map?

Often in life we ​​come across both a map and a plan of the area. Geography as a science relies on these cartographic images. But it's not the same thing.

When creating a geographic map, a smaller scale is used (that is, a larger area is covered), the nature of the earth's surface is taken into account, that is, mathematical law constructing an image - projection. The most important element geographic maps - degree grid: it is necessary to determine the cardinal directions. Parallels and meridians are often shown as arcs rather than straight lines. Only significant large objects. To compile them, a variety of materials are used, including larger-scale maps and satellite images.

A terrain plan is a more detailed image of a small area of ​​the Earth. It is built without taking into account the projection, since due to the size of the area, the surface is usually considered flat. The cardinal directions are determined by the directions of the plan frames. Absolutely all terrain elements are subject to display. They are compiled based on materials from large-scale aerial photography or on the ground.

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How is the plan made?

To begin with, a point is selected on the site from which the entire area to be mapped is clearly visible. After this, you need to choose the scale of the future plan. The next step is to determine the direction to the north. This can be done using a tablet board and a hand compass. On paper you need to mark the point from which the area will be surveyed, and then draw all the main landmarks (corners of buildings, large trees, pillars).

Then, using special high-precision instruments, azimuths are measured to each point that needs to be reflected on the plan. Each time the azimuths are postponed from main point, and an auxiliary line is drawn from it, an angle is marked on the plan. The distance from the main point to the desired points in the area is also measured and transferred to paper.

Then the objects of the site are displayed in the symbols, and the necessary signatures are made.

Throughout the entire area of ​​the cartographic image of the plan, its scale remains unchanged. There are three types of scale:

• Numerical.
• Named.
• Linear.

Numerical is expressed as a fraction, the numerator of which is 1, and the denominator is M. This number M shows the degree of reduction in the size of the image on the plan. Topographic plans have scales of 1:500, 1:1000, 1:2000, 1:5000. For land management work, smaller plan scales are also used - 1:10,000, 1:25,000, 1:50,000. The smaller scale is the one with the larger M number, and vice versa.

It's easier with a named scale - here the length of the lines is expressed verbally. For example, 1 cm is 50 meters. This means that 1 cm of distance on the plan corresponds to 50 m on the ground.

Scale linear type- a graph depicted as a straight line segment that is divided into equal parts. Each such part is signed with a numerical value commensurate with the length of the area.

Conventional signs of the area plan

In order to display any objects or processes on a topographic plan and indicate their important qualitative or quantitative values, it is necessary to use conventional signs or notations. They give a complete picture of the spatial arrangement of objects, as well as their characteristics and appearance.

There are four types of symbols:

• Large-scale - linear and areal (for example, state squares, roads, bridges).
• Non-scale (well, spring, pillar, tower, etc.).
• Explanatory (signatures of the characteristics of objects, for example, the width of the highway, names of subjects).

They are all reflected in the legend of the plan. Based on the legend, a primary idea of ​​the site is formed.

So, a terrain plan is a cartographic image of a small area of ​​the earth's surface in on a large scale. It is used in almost all spheres of human activity. Without it, it would be impossible to create topographic maps.

Let's remember: What served as the prototype for geographic maps? What is a geographic map?

Keywords: horizontal plane, terrain plan, geographical map, scale.

1. Differences between a plan and a map. A local plan and a geographical map are a reduced image of the earth's surface on paper using conventional symbols. But they have distinctive features.

The differences between a local plan and a geographical map arise from the size of the depicted territory.

1. Geographic maps show the entire surface of the Earth or large, large parts of it, and plans are drawn up for small areas terrain. The image on the maps is given in a greatly reduced form. The reduction on the plans is much smaller than on the maps. The plans are on a large scale (1:10,000 and larger). Therefore, the plans give details that cannot be given on the map.

2. The plan shows the exact outlines of terrain features, and on the map even large objects are depicted in a generalized form.

3. When constructing plans, the curvature of the spherical surface of the Earth is not taken into account and it is believed that the surface areas that are depicted on the plans are a plane. When constructing maps, the curvature of the earth's surface is always taken into account.

4. Parallels and meridians are always drawn on maps, but not on plans.

2. The meaning of the cards. Geographic maps and plans are man's faithful assistants in studying nature, population, and farming.

The maps determine the outlines, sizes and mutual arrangement objects. They can be used to measure distances, the length of rivers, coastline, calculate the area of ​​individual territories, determine heights and depths. Based on geographic maps, one can judge the geographical position of the study area, its topography, minerals, climate, rivers, soils, vegetation, and fauna. The ability to work with maps of various contents allows you to study the nature, population and economy of the territory.

Maps are widely used in practical human activities: for orientation on the ground, in transport, on hiking trips, expeditions. Special geographic Maps help predict weather, earthquakes, floods and other natural phenomena.

Cards serve people to fight diseases. For example, in some areas of the world, residents suffered from a serious illness: they developed goiter. For a long time, doctors could not identify the cause of the disease. When those areas where residents were susceptible to this disease were mapped, they found that in these areas the soil and water were poor in iodine. The lack of this element contributes to the appearance of goiter. Therefore, some foods add small amounts of iodine. The disease began to recede.

You already know that before starting to study any territory, it is carefully studied using maps. They serve as the basis for the placement of various economic objects (dams, canals, reservoirs, hydroelectric power stations, settlements, railways and roads, etc.), for assessing natural conditions and their transformation.

1. What are the differences between a geographical map and a plan? 2. What is the significance of geographical maps? What are they used for? 3. Remember in what cases did you or your parents have to use local plans or geographic maps?