MAP READING AND MAP INTERPRETATION

Concept of Map Reading

The Concept of Map and its Importance to Social Economic Activities
Explain the concept of map and its importance to social economic activities
Map reading is the process of identifying features on a map by using symbols and signs or names. This technical
work requires certain skills that any map reader must possess.
Map interpretation refers to interpretation of the symbols and signs used on map into ordinary language by
indicating the features they represent and draw logical conclusions from the information as represented by the
symbols.
Importance of map reading
Map reading is very important to social and economic activities. Maps are drawn for different purposes and once
drawn they can serve as databases from which various information can be obtained and used for a myriad of
social and economic benefits.
a. Geological maps provide information about the type and distribution of rocks in an area. This knowledge is
of great help to builders who can use it to find out where to obtain certain rocks for construction. This
knowledge can also be used by mineral prospectors to locate possible areas where they can obtain mineral.
The information on soil types can be used by civil engineers to establish the stability of the on which to build
roads and other structures.
b. Relief maps provide information to many people in many ways. For example, civil and architectural
engineers need to know relief of an area so that they can plan how to overcome relief barriers in their
construction plans.
c. Drainage maps are useful to civil engineers as they can use them to get prior knowledge on how to construct
bridges, roads, railways and other infrastructures. It is also useful to agriculture as such maps indicate
possible sources of water for irrigation of crops, watering livestock and for other general farm uses. Weather
and climate maps are useful especially to people interested in agriculture. They provide information on the
kind of crops to be grown and the type of livestock to keep in a certain area.
d. Vegetation maps show the distribution and type of vegetation in a region. This gives a clue on the kind of
social and economic activities that can be carried out in an area.
e. Soil maps are very useful to agricultural officers as they can use the information about soil types to advise
farmers on the type of fertilizers to use, soil requirements and proper soil management practices.
f. Maps provide information on the relationship between phenomena or events. For example, maps showing
the location of volcanoes also indicate the connection between volcanoes and earthquakes.
g. Maps provide background information as compared to present work. For example, maps showing distribution
of forests in the past may be compared to the present maps to draw conclusion on the extent of vegetation
change through deforestation, afforestation or reforestation.
h. Maps provide valuable information for statistical analysis. Therefore, they are very useful to researchers and
any field of study.

ESSENTIALS OF A MAP
Identify essentials of a map
Essentials of a map are the necessary prerequisites that a map should have. All maps in general require the
following qualities or essentials:
1. Title The most basic component of a map is its title. The title should refer to everything the map covers.
Scale shows the relationship between map distance and ground distance. For example, the scale 1:100000,
indicates that one centimetre on the map represents 100,000 cm (1 km) on the ground.

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2. Key every map must have a key. The key is a vital tool in understanding and interpreting the map. The key
should explain every feature or symbol contained on the map
3. Margin/boundary/frame it is essential that all maps be enclosed in a frame for neatness.
4. North direction/compass orientation this is the direction towards the North in those maps drawn to grid
system. Three ways may be used to show the North direction of a map; By (i) Grid North, (ii) True North
and (iii) Magnetic/Compass North.
5. Date to give context to a map, the date of publication should be present.
Reading and Interpreting Topographical Maps
Features on a Map
Topographical maps are types of maps which describe the physical (natural) and man-made (artificial or cultural)
features of a given area. The physical features include relief, vegetation, and drainage, among others. Some of
the cultural or artificial features are roads, railways, cities, towns, dams, schools, and many other structures built
by man.
Relief features
Relief refers to the physical landscape as shown by the configuration of the surface of the earth that is brought
about by landform features. The methods of showing relief in topographical maps include the use of spot heights,
trigonometrical stations, contour lines and form lines.
Spot height
This is a point on a map with its exact height above a known level e.g. from the sea level. The position and height
of the points have been determined by surveyors. The spot height is marked with a dot followed by the numbers

indicating height of the land for example, 3664. The units of height, whether in metres or feet, are quoted in the
key of the map as well as below the linear scale.
Trigonometric station (point)
This is a point on a map with its exact height fixed usually on a hill top, mountain peak or other visible positions.
The trigonometrical points are commonly marked by a triangle followed by the numbers indicating the height for
example 725
Hill shading
Hill shading is a method of representing relief on a map by shading hills as if light is
shining on them.
Hill shading
Hill shading depicts the shadows that would be cast by high ground if light were shining from a certain direction.
Layer colouring/tinting
Layer tinting/colouring is a method of showing relief by colour. A different colour is used for each band of
elevation. Each shade of colour, or band, represents a definite elevation range.
Hachures
Hachures are short, broken lines used to show relief. Hachures are sometimes used with contour lines. They do
not represent exact elevations, but are mainly used to show large, rocky outcrop areas.

Hachures

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Contours and form lines
Contour lines, sometimes called isohyepes, isoline or isopleth are lines drawn on a map joining all places with
the same height above sea level. The value of each contour line is written on it. They are normally drawn in thick
brown colour.
Form lines are lines on a map which join points of approximately the same height above sea level. These are used
as fill-in lines to show out the nature of the slope (form) of the land and the various landforms, hence the name
form lines. They are drawn by estimating the height of the land with the help of spot heights and trigonometrical
stations as well as the contours.
The contour interval is the difference in height between any two successive contours. It is also known as
the vertical interval (V.I.) of the map. On the 1:50 000 maps of East Africa,
the contour interval is usually twenty metres (20m). The contour interval is
constant for all areas of a given map.
Importance of contours is that; they are very useful as they help in identifying
various landforms, including type and trend of slope of the land. The shape
formed by a collection of contours enables us to identify different types of
landforms. The succession of contours enables us to see the changes in relief.
Slopes
A slope the inclination or slant of the land. This inclination varies considerably, resulting in the following types
of slopes:
Gentle slope
This is shown by contours that are evenly spaced and drawn
far apart. On a 1:50 000 topographical map, the space between
two successive contours is more than 1.5 cm.
Gentle slope
Steep slope
A steep slope is shown by contours that are drawn very close
together. The closer the contours are, the steeper the slope.
The space between any two successive contours is less than
1.5 cm.

Steep slope
Diagrammatic representation of gentle and steep
slope
Regular slope
This is an even or a constant slope. It is shown by contours that are evenly spaced, that is at relatively regular
intervals. A regular slope can be gentle or steep. The surface of the land would look smooth.

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Irregular slope
This is also known as uneven slope. It is indicated by unevenly spaced contours. It too can be gentle or steep.
They indicate a rugged landscape.
Convex slope
This type of a slope is indicated by contours that are closely packed on the
lower slope (indicating steep slope) but become more widely spaced on the
upper section of the land (indicating gentle slope).
Concave slope
A concave slope is represented by widely spaced contours (indicating gentle slope) on the lower slope and closely
packed contours (indicating steep slope) on the upper part of the slope. On this type of slope, the land is steeper
on the higher ground and gentler on the lower ground. The slope curves inwards, just the opposite of the convex
slope.
Valley
A valley is an elongated depression sloping towards a drainage basin such as a sea, lake or swamp, and which
may contain water or may be dry. On a topographical map, the
contours indicating a valley form a V-shape. The apex (sharp
end) points towards the higher ground and contours open out
towards the lower ground. The pattern of contours also shows
valleys at different stages of development. A valley in its
youthful stage is shown by contours that are close together.
The gap between contours becomes progressively wider as the
valley reaches its mature stage and eventually the old stage.
Some valleys may have rivers flowing in them as indicated by arrows in the figure above .
Spur
It is a prominent projection of raised land
from higher ground, such as a hill or
mountainside into lower land. A spur is also
known as salient. In figure (a) the are
between the two rivers is spur. The meeting
point of two rivers is known a confluence,
a. A spur and a river b. Interlocking spur Position of letter C in figure (a). Then spurs
confluence sometimes interlock, and hence the name
interlocking spurs (b). Spurs are depicted by contours that form a similar pattern to that of valleys. The difference
is that in the case of spurs, the apex of the V-shape of the contours points towards the lower ground and the V
opens towards the higher ground (see the figure above). By studying the values of the contours, one can tell which
the higher ground is and which the lower ground is. But if the values of contours are not provided, the shape of
the V alone can suffice to provide this information.
Hill
A hill is an upland that rises above the general relatively low ground, but it is of less
height than a mountain.
The shapes of hills are quite variable. Some appear to have a regular shape while
others are irregularly shaped.
Regular hills look evenly shaped and tend to be conical
in shape. On topographical maps, these are depicted by a group of concentric
contours that give a hill a rounded shape.

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A regularly shaped hill
Some hills are irregularly shaped. This may due to erosion, the presence of a
massive rock outcrop or due to other geomorphological processes.
Ridge
A ridge is a fairly narrow and elongated hill or range of hills with steep slopes on
all sides. The top of a ridge may have a number of peaks formed by hills that
form a range. Some ridges are watersheds that separate rivers which flow in
different directions or parallel to each other. On topographical maps, ridges can
be identified by closely packed and elongated contours that drop on all sides into
lower ground. The upper part of a ridge is called brow. Before reaching the top
of the ridge, there is usually a section of gently sloping land called a shoulder.
Col, saddle and pass
A col is a small
depression on a ridge
or in a hilly area, which
is located between
adjacent peaks of hills.
In the position of a col,
there are no contours
drawn.
A saddle is described
as a broad flat col in a
ridge between two
mountain peaks. The term saddle is sometimes used
interchangeably with col. Their only difference is that a
saddle is wider than a col, that is, the two mountain summits
separating a saddle are far apart while those separating a col
are very close.
A pass is a fairly narrow but deep gap in a mountain range or
between high hills in a low land. It is like a deepened saddle
or col. Its name originates from the fact that travelers across
a hilly or mountainous country would use such a gap for easy
crossing from one side of the hills to the other.
Escarpment
An escarpment is a very steep side of an elongated highland. If it is formed
through the process of faulting, it is called a fault scarp. Loosely, the name is
used to refer to the whole highland with very steep slopes on one side, a
plateau on top and gentle slopes on the opposite side. On topographical maps,
an escarpment is shown by closely packed contours on the scarp side that
forms a scarp slope, and more widely spaced contours on the opposite side,
called the dip slope.
Plateau
This is an upland covering a considerably large area, and whose top surface
is almost flat. It is bordered by steep slopes that lead to lower ground or
may rise into the surrounding mountains. On a topographical map, a
plateau is shown as a wide area surrounded by a common contour of the
same height or two contours that are of the same height on both sides.
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Plain
A plain is a continuous tract of relatively flat land covering a broad area of lowland.
Some plains may be raised but the slopes are very gentle. Plains occur as lowlands and
at the bottoms of valleys but also on plateaus or uplands at high elevations.
On topographical maps, a plain is shown by contours that are very widely spaced. Some
rivers, if present, may be seen to have meanders.
Depression
A depression on a contour map is shown by contour lines with small marks pointing
towards the lowest point of the depression. The first contour line with the depression
marks and the contour line outside it have the same elevation.
Cliff
A cliff is described as a steep rock face that is vertical or nearly vertical. Cliffs
are common in mountainous or hilly areas and along the shores of lakes and
seas. On topographical maps, cliffs are shown by contours that are so closely
packed that they appear to merge into one another. To emphasize the presence
of the cliff, a special symbol is drawn on top of the contours as shown in the
figure below.
Cliff

CROSS SECTION OR PROFILE OF THE MAP/RELIEF SECTION

Using contours, we can draw a section of land to show how the surface of the earth rises and falls. Such a diagram
is known as a relief section, a cross section or a profile.

A relief section is a diagram drawn using relief information from contours to show the changing elevation of the
ground between two points.

A cross-section is like a slice of solid ground cut from the surface downwards to a certain depth. When viewed
from the side, it shows the land relief. Cross-sections are drawn for many different purposes between required
places of known heights.

As an example, suppose we want to draw a relief section between points X and Y in figure below. To do this,
we observe the following three steps:
1:50 000
Step one

On a map join the two end points of a

relief-section with a pencil line. Take a
strip of paper and place its straight edge
along the line joining the two points (X
and Y). Hold the paper firmly on the
map, and on its edge first mark the
position and the height of the two points.
Then mark on the same paper edge the
position and the heights of all the
contours and any spot heights that have
been crossed or touched by the cross
'section line (the line joining X and Y).
Check that all the positions and their
heights are correctly shown on the paper
edge and make any necessary notes.

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Use the information on the paper edge to calculate the
amplitude of the relief, choose appropriate vertical
exaggeration and calculate the corresponding vertical
scale of the section.

The meanings and formulae for amplitude, vertical scale

and vertical exaggeration are given after step three below.

For our example, the amplitude is 200m, for which we

choose a vertical exaggeration of 5 with which we get a
vertical scale of 1: 10,000.

Step two
On a well ruled piece of paper preferably of the graph type,
draw a horizontal line of the same length as the one joining
the end points of the section. Such a line serves as the base
Marking positions and their heights on a paper
line for the section. From each end point, draw a vertical
edge
line to serve as the vertical scale line representing the height difference in the section. If there are no specified requirements such as in
examinations where the vertical scale has been given, we use the procedure described under the section 'Amplitude, Vertical Scale and
Vertical Exaggeration" below to calculate the VS to be used.

Step three

Up along the two vertical scale lines on the ruled paper mark the appropriate divisions (in this example 2mm divisions), each to
present a height equal to the V.I (In this example each of the 2mm divisions rep resents a height equal to 25m). Then number along
either or both of the verticals the marked divisions from the lowest section position up to the contour value above the highe st section
position. The lowest vertical scale value is 1,650m instead of 1,675 m and the highest vertical scale value is 1,900m instead of
1,875m. We do this so that the lowest and the highest positions, whose height values are not exactly known, can be accommodat ed
in the section. Numbers have been marked alternately on the right and left sides just for convenience, to avoid over-crowding them
all on one side.

After checking that the vertical scale numbering is correct, and with the aid of the marks on the left and right vertical lin es, place
the marked paper edge in a horizontal position corresponding to the highest elevation marked on the paper edge (for our case,
1,875m) and mark (with a faint dot) on the ruled paper all points corresponding to that height. Slide the marked paper edge
downwards until it is at the position of the next elevation and mark all points of that elevation as we did previously. Repeat this
procedure for all the other heights until all marks have been plotted each time ensuring that the positions of the end points on that
piece of paper coincide with their respective positions on the ruled paper. The positions marked on the ruled paper are then joined
up with a smooth line.

As the line is normally curved, ground between two dots of the same height value will usually be lower or higher than the dots, according
to the way the curve is running. So the smooth line showing such a bit of the ground surface should be curved upwards or downwards
accordingly. Rub off all the plotted dots after joining them, to give a continuous smooth line. The smooth line gives the profile of the
ground concerned.

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Care should be taken to see that every small part of the smooth line represents the true shape of the ground. Finally, the cross-section
must have its title; horizontal scale, vertical scale, and vertical exaggeration shown, as in Figure above.

Amplitude, Vertical Scale and Vertical Exaggeration

Amplitude
The amplitude of a relief section is the difference between the highest and the lowest point of a relief section.
To calculate the amplitude of a relief section note the highest and lowest contours in the line connecting the two points (XY) then
calculate the difference between the two to get the amplitude. In our example, the figure above; the highest contour within line
XY = 1875m and the lowest contour within line XY = 1675m,

Thus, Amplitude = 1875m 1675m = 200m

Vertical Scale

The vertical scale is the scale used to represent the vertical axis of a relief section.

The vertical scale (VS) is not picked arbitrarily since poor choice of the VS will affect the appearance of a relief section. For
example, when we want to draw a relief section of a nearly flat area and we choose a too high VS, the area will appear hilly
whereas using a too small VS for a hilly area may result to a relief section appearing flat. Thus, a good deal of judgment is
necessary when choosing the VS for a section. As a rule, a range of between 1 and 6cm will be suitable to give a natural-looking
relief section. However, it is a common practice for examiners to provide the vertical scale to be used in drawing a relief section.
When the VS has not been provided then some knowledge of vertical exaggeration may help you in picking the right VS.

Vertical Exaggeration
Consider our example of in figure above, for which we have to represent a horizontal distance (between X and Y) of about 5000m
and a height of around 200m. Using the map scale to represent 5000m is appropriate since the paper edge onto which we marked
contours and features along XY automatically follows the map scale. Now using the same scale to represent the height variation
may not be such a good idea since we will have to represent this height using a height of less than half a centimeter! The
inconvenience of this is that half a centimeter
will make it difficult to see clearly how the
elevation of land changes and the features
present on the section. It is thus a common
practice to exaggerate the vertical scale
relative to the horizontal scale in order to get
an easily readable appearance of a relief
section.

The vertical exaggeration of a relief section

is the ratio between the vertical scale and the
horizontal scale used in drawing a relief
section.

We must remember that almost always the vertical scale is larger than the horizontal
scale. In other words, we exaggerate the scale of the map to determine the V.S. of a section and in order to be able to show details of
configuration on the section.
Intervisibility
The intervisibility of two places: is the ability to see one of the places from the other place.

To know, from a map, if one place can be seen from another, the map reader should have a good understanding of contours and
spot heights. There are two common methods of determining the intervisibility of two places on a map.

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1. The first method is by drawing a cross-section and then joining the two places by a straight line, the line of site. If the whole ground
surface in the section falls on or
below the straight line, the two
places are inter-visible. However, if
any part of the ground surface
between the two places projects
above the straight line, the two
places are not inter-visible.
A profile showing non-inter-visibility of point X and Y
2. By reading contours and spot heights between the two
places. It is a quicker way that experienced map readers can use to
determine the intervisibility of two places. This starts by joining the
two places on the map with a pencil line. Then along the pencil line
contours and spot heights are carefully examined in order to
determine the type of slope between the two places.

B A paper edge with markings of contours and spot heights between point A and B

Determine the intervisibility of point A and B

A profile showing inter-visible places A and B

Information from Maps

Description of relief
It is important to be specific when describing the relief of an area represented on a map. The following steps
should be followed:
1. Provide a general description of the relief of the area. State clearly whether it is mountainous, hilly, a plateau,
lowland, valley, etc. State the general altitude of the area by mentioning the possible lowest and highest points
and their actual or approximate heights as well as their specific locations on the map. You can get this
information from contour lines, spot heights or trigonometrical points. It is important to give as accurate height
as possible.
2. If distinct relief regions occur on a map, the area should be divided into distinct regions, e.g. highland, plateau,
lowland, swampy area, etc. Each area should then be described in detail by mentioning the features present in
the respective area. Describe the slopes and ranges in their heights, the nature of slopes, types of slopes, general
direction of the slope and the landforms found in the area as well as their characteristics.
3. Locate the relief or landform features present in the area and describe their distributions and locations on the
map. These features can be located by using grid references, points of the compass or the nearest named places.
In case of slopes, describe the type and direction of slope and comparative steepness or gentleness. Use the
appropriate terms for describing types of slopes e.g. regular, convex, concave, gentle, etc.
VEGETATION
On topographical maps, only selected types of vegetation are shown. These are forests, thicket, bamboo, riverine
trees (also known as galleric or riverine forests), woodland, scrub, scattered trees, palms and swamp vegetation.
The specific swap plants such as mangrove trees, swap trees, marsh plants and papyrus can be deduced from the
type of swap shown on the map.

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Describing vegetation
When describing natural vegetation on a topographical map, first identify and name all types of vegetation shown
on the map. Then describe each vegetation type separately. Indicate the location of each type of vegetation by using
the grid reference or compass direction. For example, one may state There is a dense forest on the eastern area of
the map and mangrove trees along the river.
If some vegetation types are named on the map, e.g. Nyandarua Forest, use the name given to locate the position
and type of vegetation. The area covered by vegetation should also be estimated and given.
It is important to find out the reason for the distribution. These reasons are deduced from the information given on
the map, which is referred to as evidence. For example, an area with large permanent rivers indicates that the area
receives high rainfall. This may be the reason for the existence of dense forests in the region.

DRAINAGE
Drainage is the natural or artificial removal of surface and sub-surface water from an area. Drainage also includes
other features such as lakes, swamps, canals, and ponds which are related to water. However, water tanks and
cattle dips are not features of drainage because these features are built by people who also fill them with water.
These constructed drainage features are also called hydrographic features.
The most common drainage patterns include the following:

A radial pattern consists of streams radiating from a common source, especially from volcanic cones and other cone-shaped hills.
When viewed from above, such a pattern looks like the spokes of a bicycle wheel.

A dendritic pattern consists of a number

of tributaries joining the main stream or a
river at acute angles. Such a pattern can be
compared to the shape of a tree, where the
trunk stream is the equivalent of the stem
and tributaries are the equivalents of
branches.
A centripetal pattern, or inland drainage,
has streams that converge on an inland Radial pattern Dendritic pattern Centripetal pattern
lake. In the Rift Valley areas, such a pattern is formed by streams that converge on the lakes that occur on the floor of the Rift
Valley such as Lake Manyara, Eyasi, Naivasha and Baringo.
A parallel pattern consists of streams flowing in a common general direction set by the dip of the slope. This is a common pattern
in many sections of the fault scarps of the Rift Valley system. It can also be seen on topographical maps of areas to the north of
Nairobi, especially around Ruiru and Kiambu.
A trellis pattern consists of tributaries joining the main stream at right angles. Some of the tributaries actually flow in a direction
opposite to that of the trunk/main stream, eventually joining the stream at right angles. This pattern is contributed by the nature of
the underlying rock surface. This pattern is not very common, and it is difficult to identify on the 1: 10,000, 1: 25,000 and 1: 50,000
map series. It is however, identifiable on the 1: 100,000 and 1: 250,000 series, which of course, are smaller scales and therefore cover
larger ground areas, thus enabling us to see drainage patterns of wider territories.

Other drainage features

When describing drainage on a topographical map constant reference to the legend of the map is absolutely es sential;
only then can the student identify such features of drainage as tree swamps, mangrove swamps, marsh es and bogs,
which are frequent along water body margins and the seasonal swaps that are common in drier areas. The legend will
also help the student to identify which streams are seasonal (indefinite) and which ones are permanent.

Relation of drainage to relief

In our description of drainage patterns, we have noted how the topology of an area strongly influences the development of
drainage patterns. What, for example, is the influence of the existence of relief features such as conic shaped hills, rift
valleys etc. in an area on the drainage pattern developed in the area?
Although the general trends in slope alignment determine the basic direction of flow of streams, we must also recognize
the fact that the streams themselves do a great deal to carve out a variety of relief features on the basic physical landscape.

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Also, by relating the direction of flow of streams to spot height and contours, we can easily identify water-sheds, and the
sites of rapids and waterfalls. It is also possible to explain the origins of swamps, lakes, and a few other features along
streams. To cite a few common ones, a river can develop meanders and braided sections if it emerges from a gorge, or if
suddenly a scarp along which it flows comes to an end giving way to a plain. Similarly, marshes can develop where the
relief is fairly flat along the course of a stream.

The existence of crater lakes can also be related to relief in map reading. The fact that a depression occurs at the summit
of cone can very easily be established using contours and a symbol in the map's legend. A depression contour is usually
closed, and its inside is lower than the outside. Students should now look at the legend for the 1:50,000 topographical map
series to see what such symbols for a crater and a depression contour look like.

Rivers and streams

These are referred to as water courses in some maps. They are shown by blue lines. The size of a river is indicated
by the size of the blue line. The thicker the line is, the bigger the river. The very thin lines represent streams. The
names of some rivers are written in blue print along the lines representing the rivers.
Permanent rivers are shown by continuous blue lines while the broken blue lines represent intermittent (seasonal)
rivers. If a river appears to abruptly end somewhere on the land, it means that it disappears into the ground at that
point. This implies that at that point where it disappears then rocks are probably very porous or are limestone
type or there is a fault line. Normally, a river ends in another river, a swamp, lake or sea. Rapids and waterfalls,
like river valleys, are relief features found along a river course and are therefore not in the category of drainage
features.
Lakes
A lake is a body of water occupying a sizeable basin, depression or hollow in the ground. There are two types of
lakes; (1) Natural lakes and (2) Artificial lakes (Manmade lakes or Reservoirs)
Sea
A portion of an open sea is represented by a pale blue colour that is shaded with stipples. Its coastline is indicated
by a blue line.
Swamp
A swamp is a wetland with its associated vegetation. Swamps are common where the ground forms a shallow
depression.
a. Mangrove swamps these are found in the shallow parts of the sea shore, and around sea inlets.
b. Tree swamps water-logged areas that have a significant number of trees and some other smaller plants
growing in them. There are some water-logged areas where trees are so many that they form a forest. Such
a forest is called a swamp forest.
c. Papyrus swamp dominated by papyrus reeds. These are common on plateaus and lowlands.
d. Marsh an area that experiences temporary flooding, and the land is usually wet and poorly drained. It is
characterized by plants such as rushes, reeds and sledges, with occasional water-tolerant trees. At the coast,
where flooding is due to water, it is called a salt marsh.
e. Bog spongy water-logged area with a surface layer of decaying vegetation. The papyrus swamp, marsh and
bog are all shown by the same symbols on a 1:50000 scale topographical map of East Africa.
f. Seasonal swamp a very shallow basin and flat area of ground that become flooded during the rainy period
for some months, but which dry up during the dry season.
Ponds, waterholes, boreholes, wells and springs
A pond is a small mass of stagnant water that is commonly found along courses of small rivers.
A waterhole (WH), is a shallow and broad pit that traps rainwater. Some waterholes are natural while others
are constructed by people to provide drinking water for livestock or wild animals.
A borehole (BH), is a deep hole drilled in the ground for the purpose of obtaining underground water.

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 A well (W/We) is a deep hole, generally cyndrical that is dug or drilled into the ground to penetrate an aquifer
within the saturated zone. Sometimes is called, recharge.
A spring (S) is a place where underground water flows out from the ground to the surface naturally.

Irrigation canals
An irrigation canal is a channel that is dug in the ground for carrying water from a river, well or lake to a farm.
On maps, they are shown by blue lines that are usually written against them.
Ditches and drains
These are trenches that are normally constructed in water-logged areas for draining water from the land. On a
topographical map, they are shown by straight blue lines with some of them having definite angles. The ward
ditch or drain may be written against the line.
Though water tanks, cattle dips and wind pumps relate to water, they are not drainage features but are cultural
features for saving water. The presence of many permanent rivers, streams, lakes and swamps is an indication
of high amounts of rainfall received in the area. On the contrary, if many of these features are seasonal, it implies
that the area receives low rainfall. Numerous waterholes, boreholes and irrigation canals in an area may also
be an indication that the area receives low rainfall and that it experiences water shortage.
Description of drainage
When describing drainage, one should first identify the various drainage features and name them. Describe each feature
in turn by describing the distribution of that feature in the area represented and locate it on the map. State the general
quantity, volume or size of the feature and describe the characteristics of each, for example, seasonal permanent, big or
small, etc. when describing rivers, it is important to comment on the stream density, general direction of flow of the rivers,
the sizes of rivers and stage of development, i.e., youthful, mature or old-age. Identify river drainage patterns as well.

Information from Maps in Relation to Daily Activities

Human (artificial) features on topographical maps reflect human activities taking place in the area covered by the
map. Many human activities are in the form of land use which refers to the ways in which land is utilized in
the area. The human activities represented on topographical maps include the following:
Agriculture
Agriculture is the cultivation of crops and/or rearing of livestock. In modern times, the term has been expanded
to include fish farming, beekeeping and poultry farming.
On topographical maps, crop plantations are shown as light, green shading. A letter indicating the name of the
plantation crop may be printed over the shade e.g. S for sisal, Su for sugarcane and C for coffee. These
symbols are also indicated in the key.
The name of the crop could also be indicated by the plantation name e.g., Tungi Sisal Plantation. If the name of
the crop is not indicated on the plantation, it may be identified using other indicators on the map. For example,
the presence of a tea factory, coffee factory or decorticator may imply the plantation crop is tea, coffee or cotton,
respectively. In the absence of any indicator of a crop that might be grown on the plantation, there is a possibility
that the plantation may be that of trees, i.e., natural or planted forest. Small-scale farming activities are not shown
directly on the map. However, they may be deduced from symbols, factories or stores. The presence of a tobacco
processing factory or tobacco store implies that tobacco is grown in the area. The presence of flour mill or posho
mill indicates that maize is grown in the area.
A ginnery implies that cotton is grown in the area. A cereals board may imply that people in the area grow grain
crops such as maize, millet, wheat, etc.
Livestock rearing is indicated by the presence of cattle dips, grazing grounds, cattle markets, ranches, stock
holding grounds, waterholes, a water tank in an isolated place, a slaughter house office or abattoir, a butchery,
veterinary office, dairy farm, creamery and dairy farming schools, and many others. Any evidence that relates to
livestock rearing is enough to draw a conclusion about livestock farming.

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Based on the type of crops grown in an area, one can draw conclusion on the type of climate experienced in that
area. For example, tea and coffee are usually grown on an area that experience high rainfall and with moderate
temperatures. Crops such as sisal, millet and cassava indicate that the area receives low rainfall and experiences
high temperatures.
Likewise, the type of livestock kept in an area can be useful in making conclusions about the climate of that area.
Dairy farming indicates that the area has cool climate and receives high amounts of rainfall. Beef cattle farming,
pastoralism, ranching and camel rearing all indicate that an area receives low amounts of rainfall. This may be a
clear indication that the area experiences a dry climate.
Forestry: The presence of forests and forest reserves on a map indicate that forestry is practiced. The presence
of forestry can also be indicated by features such as forestry training school, forest station, or forest guard post.
The presence of sawmills within or near a forest indicates that lumbering may be taking place in the area.
Fishing: On topographical maps, the presence of water body does not indicate the presence of fishing activities.
In conjunction with the presence of a water body, we must look for the following evidences to conclude, beyond
reasonable doubt, that fishing activities are taking place on the water body shown on the map:
a. The presence of the symbols of fish traps at the edge of a water body.
b. The named places such as fishing village, fish ponds, and hatcheries near a water body.
c. Presence of Fisheries Departments, fish markets, Fishing Cooperative Society, a fish processing plant, etc.
Mining: Mining activities are often indicated by a symbol that is included in the key. Words such as Gold Mine
may also be used to conclude that mining activities are taking place in that area. Mining, however, should not be
confused with quarrying.
Quarrying: Quarrying is the activity involving excavating stones, sand or soil from the ground. A special symbol
with the word quarry written against it is used on topographical maps to indicate where quarrying is carried
out. This is different from mining and that is why both activities are shown by different symbols.
Trading: This is a commercial activity involving buying and selling of commodities. On topographical maps, it
is indicated by letters TC which are initials for Trading Centre in areas where there are settlements. Other
evidences of trading include shops, markets and petrol stations.
Transportation: This involves the movement of people, goods and animals from one place to another. It is
evidenced by the presence of transportation infrastructures such as roads, railway lines, footpaths, tracks, airports,
seaports, pipelines, etc. The symbols representing these structures are often provided in the key.
Communication: This refers to the means of conveying or exchanging information. The evidence of
communication services and activities includes the presence of a wireless station, post office (PO), telegram (Tg),
telephone (T) and telephone lines, and a satellite station.
Industries: These are evidenced by the presence of manufacturing and processing factories or industries in an
area. They may be shown and named on maps. Examples of industries include sisal and tea processing factories,
coffee pulping plant, floor or posho mill, bakery, creamery, cement factory, motor vehicle assembly, fruit
processing factory, sawmill, ginnery or simply the word factory or its abbreviation Fcty are all evidences of
industrial activities.
Tourism: Tourism may have indicated by such features as camping site, hotel, recreational grounds, game
reserve, national park, museum, historical monument, tourist resort, historical sites and nature reserve.
Administration: Various administrative activities can be identified from abbreviations on the map. These are
given in a list in the margin of the map. They include provision of security as evidenced by the presence of a
Police Station or Police Post, judicial services as evidenced by the presence of courthouse, and other
administrative offices such as District Commissioner (DC) and Regional Commissioner (RC).

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Other human activities: Besides the activities described above, there are other activities that people engage in
on daily basis. These include teaching and provision of other education services indicated by the presence of
school, college, university or training institution.
Health services are indicated by the presence of a hospital, dispensary, health centre or medical laboratory.
Religious services are indicated by the presence of church, mosques or temple. Recreational services are
evidenced by the presence of golf clubs, golf courses, stadium or other recreational grounds.
Description of human activities
When describing human activities in each area on a topographical map, the following steps should be followed:
a. Identify each activity and support it with evidence form the map.
b. Describe the distribution of the activity in the map using conventional methods.
c. Give reasons, using available evidence, for the distribution of and factors that may appear to favour the
activity.
INTERPRETATION OF SETTLEMENTS
A settlement is a place where people dwell or live. On topographical maps, settlements are depicted by dots or
blocks, which may be black or grey in colour. Dots are identified in the key as huts or houses. They represent
semi-permanent structures that are typical of rural settlements in Africa.
Black squares or rectangular blocks depict permanent buildings like those built of stones or bricks and roofed
with iron sheets or tiles. A collection of these permanent buildings in one area is shown as a solid block. This
represents a town or an area with permanent buildings.
Description of settlements
Settlements are described based on their concentration or alignment. In terms of concentration, they may describe
as follows:
Dense when there is a high concentration of individual blocks or dots in a given area.
Moderate when f individual blocks or dots are neither high nor low.
Sparse when individual blocks or dots are few and spread over a wide area.
Based on alignment, settlements can be described as follows:
Dispersed or Scattered settlement - shelters are sparsely distributed. Such a pattern is common where there
is a scatter of individual farms and houses across an area; there are either no
groupings present or they consist of only two or three buildings. When the scattered
households each consist of a group of houses close together, the pattern is described
as semi-scattered.
Nucleated settlement - shelters are clustered together in one area. Such grouping of houses is in most cases
for economic, social or defensive purpose.
Linear settlement - shelters are distributed alongside service facilities or features such as rivers, roads and
railway lines. When required to interpret settlement on a map, say the form of settlement, it's position on
the map and give factors that have influenced the adoption of such a settlement in the area.

Besides describing the distribution of settlements in terms of the density and patterns, the factors that
influence their distribution should be identified by examining the map carefully. Such factors include
relief, vegetation, drainage, transport and other economic activities as may be found indicated on the map.

Note: The description of settlement as dense, moderate or space is often termed as forms of settlement and description as scattered,
linear or nucleated is termed as settlement patterns. So, one should not confuse the two terms when referring to settlements.

Sites and situation

Having recognized settlement on a map or a photograph, students are expected to be able to relate their rise and the pattern they display to physical
processes and to perceive what opportunities the sites of such settlements offer or what dangers they pose.

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The site (of a settlement) is the physical characteristic of the, ground on which a settlement is located.

This term is often misunderstood by examination candidates and efforts must be made to distinguish it from position
(situation). For rural settlements it is not obvious, as settlements are usually spread over a larger area of ground of varied
physical characteristics. it is often more obvious in the case of urban settlements.

When we describe the site of a settlement we should discuss the geology, relief, drainage, soils, etc. in other words, the
natural physical environment of the ground on which the settlements exist. In a discussion of the site of any settlement,
aspects like trade, communication with other areas, functions of the settlement and other aspects of human creation must
be left out. They relate more to the situation (position) of the settlement. As an example, settlements along Lake Victoria
could be sited on the edge of a marsh with an advantage of alluvial soils. Above occupying a site, settlements are situated
in a wide setting in relation to altitude, distance from the coast, river, routeways and (importantly) other settlements. This
is called the situation of a settlement.
The situation (of a settlement) is the relationship of the settlement to altitude, distance from the coast, rivers,
communication infrastructures and other settlements.

A study of the situation (or position) of a settlement emphasizes interaction and the facilities and opportunities which make
these interactions possible or necessary or simply beneficial to the inhabitants. Means of communication and where they
lead, as well as what they are particularly meant for, should be studied in some details. These, it will be noted, enable the
settlement to serve or be served by other settlements. Rural settlement patterns are usually a response to the sites and
situations involved. The situation of the settlement described above could be populous (relation to other settlements),
gently-sloping alluvial plain (altitude) at the edge of a lake (relation to a lake etc.) drained by many meandering rivers
(relation to water ways).

Importance of Correct Map Interpretation

For maps to be useful, map users must be able to correctly interpret them since without doing so, maps may mislead users.
Correct map interpretation benefits us in many ways as listed below:
Planning: Using maps, surveyors and urban planners can plan for cities and other urban centres. That is, they can plan for
water supply systems, roads and railway networks and construction of different structures without always needing to visit
the area.
Construction: Investors can correctly plan for and take necessary precautions as they undertake projects such as plant
building.
Tourists: Proper use and interpretation of topographical maps helps tourists locate their destinations correctly and take
necessary precautions before and during their tour such as issues of transport and camping.
Distance calculation: Maps help travelers in calculate distances and estimate the length of their journeys.
In warfare: Maps help militaries to plan invasion into enemy territories as well as protect themselves against intrusion and
attacks.
Agriculture: Farmers use maps to plan how to situate various facilities in their plantations such as stores, wells etc.
Knowing the distance from their farms to transport infrastructures as well as the relief of a place, farmers can decide
whether to undertake projects on a particular area.

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