GPS for Dummies.pdf - Engineering Surveyor

Chapter 2: Dissecting Maps37Figure 2-8:Scale informationinthe legendof a USGS7.5 minutetopographicmap.When you’re dealing with scale, keep these guidelines in mind: The smaller the number to the right of the 1, the more detail themap has.A 1:24,000 map has much more detail than a 1:100,000 scale map. A1:24,000 map is a large-scale map, showing a small area. The smaller the number to the right of the 1, the smaller the area themap displays.In Figure 2-9, the 1:100,000 scale map shows a much larger area than the1:24,000 scale map. A 1:100,000 map is a small-scale map, showing alarge area.All sorts of rulers and measurement tools are calibrated to scale for measuringdistance on paper maps. Mapping software makes distances easier andquicker to determine by offering tools that draw a line between two pointsand show an exact distance.Figure 2-9:1:24,000 and1:100,000scaletopographicmaps showdifferentdetails andareas.