NCERT Class 6 Geography Chapter 4

Chapter 4 – Maps

These NCERT Class 6 Geography Chapter 4 notes explain maps, their types, and components. The chapter builds map reading skills required for geography and competitive exams.

1. Meaning of a map

A map is a drawing of the Earth’s surface or a part of it.
It is drawn on a flat surface.
Maps help us understand the location of places.
They help in finding distance and direction.
Maps show physical features and human features.
A map is like a Google Maps view shown on paper.

2. Types of maps

Maps are classified into three main types.
Each type of map serves a different purpose.
Maps help in understanding both natural and human-made features.
Different maps are used for different studies.
The main types are physical, political, and thematic maps.

3. Physical maps

Physical maps show natural features of the Earth.
They show mountains, rivers, plateaus, and plains.
Physical maps help in understanding landforms.
They show the natural shape of the Earth’s surface.
These maps are useful in studying physical geography.

4. Political maps

Political maps show administrative boundaries.
They display countries, states, and districts.
Capitals and major cities are also shown.
Political maps help in understanding political divisions.
They are useful for studying administration and governance.

5. Thematic maps

Thematic maps show specific information.
They focus on one particular theme.
Examples include rainfall, population, and crops.
They also show industries and economic activities.
These maps are used for special studies.

6. Components of a map

Every map has three essential components.
These components make maps useful and accurate.
The components are distance, direction, and symbols.
Without these components, maps cannot be properly understood.
These components are very important for map reading.

7. Distance

Distance on a map is shown using a scale.
A scale shows the relationship between map distance and ground distance.
A statement scale shows distance in words.
Example: 1 cm = 1 km.
A linear scale is shown as a line divided into parts.
Scale helps in measuring real distances.

8. Direction

Direction is shown using North, South, East, and West.
Most maps have North at the top.
Direction is shown with a north arrow.
Direction helps in locating places accurately.
The Sun rises in the East and sets in the West.

9. Symbols

Maps use symbols to represent features.
Symbols show roads, railways, and rivers.
They also represent schools, hospitals, and post offices.
Symbols make maps easy to read.
They make maps less crowded.

10. Conventional symbols

Conventional symbols are used worldwide.
They have fixed meanings.
They represent common features like roads and railways.
These symbols help people understand maps easily.
They are like traffic signs with fixed meanings.

11. Sketch

A sketch is a rough drawing.
It is not drawn to scale.
It is based on memory.
Sketches show a general idea of a place.
Example is drawing a route from home to school.

12. Plan

A plan is a detailed drawing.
It is drawn to scale.
A plan shows a small area.
It may show a room, building, or playground.
Plans are more accurate than sketches.

13. Difference between map, sketch and plan

A map is drawn to scale and covers a large area.
A sketch is not drawn to scale and is less accurate.
A plan is drawn to scale and is very accurate.
Maps show large regions like countries.
Plans show very small areas in detail.

14. Important keywords

Map is a drawing of the Earth’s surface.
Scale shows distance relationship.
Direction helps locate places.
Symbols represent features on maps.
Conventional symbols have fixed meanings.
Sketch and plan are types of drawings.

15. Why this chapter is important

This chapter helps in reading maps.
It improves understanding of distance and direction.
It is the foundation of geography.
It is useful in disaster management.
It is important for competitive exams like BPSC.
Map skills are essential in daily life.

Map skills are essential for understanding geography, disaster management, and daily navigation.

Continue reading Class 6 Geography Chapter 5 – Major Domains of the Earth to learn about land, water, air, and life.

FAQs

Q1. What are the main components of a map?
Scale, direction, and symbols.

Q2. What is the use of thematic maps?
They show specific information like rainfall or population.