How Scale Changes a Map

How Scale Changes a Map

A scale tells us how a distance on a map matches the real distance on the ground. For example, two maps may be printed on sheets of the same size but represent very different areas.

On the town map, 1 centimetre represents 100 metres. The town map is large-scale: it covers a small area and can show individual streets, buildings and a playground. A child could use it to find the library entrance.

On the country map, 1 centimetre represents 100 kilometres. The country map is small-scale. It covers a much wider area, so there is less room for local detail. Towns may appear as dots, while small roads are left out. Changing scale therefore changes both the area represented and the amount of detail that fits.