Glossary
Bar Scale
A graphic map scale that uses a line segment marked with distances to visually represent the relationship between map and ground distances.
Example:
When planning a road trip, a driver might use the Bar Scale on a paper map to quickly estimate the distance between two cities.
Global Scale
A scale of analysis that considers issues and phenomena affecting the entire planet or having worldwide implications, often involving interconnected systems.
Example:
Researching the worldwide distribution of renewable energy sources and their impact on climate change is an example of analysis at the Global Scale.
Large Scale
A map scale that shows a small geographic area with a high level of detail, often used for city maps or neighborhood plans.
Example:
An urban planner uses a Large Scale map to pinpoint the exact location for a new park within a specific city block.
Local Scale
A scale of analysis focusing on specific places, communities, or immediate environments, such as a neighborhood, town, or city.
Example:
A study on the impact of a new community garden on food access in a specific neighborhood is conducted at the Local Scale.
Map Scale
The ratio between a distance on a map and the corresponding distance on the ground, indicating the level of detail shown on the map.
Example:
A cartographer chooses a specific map scale for a new atlas, determining how much real-world distance each inch on the map will represent.
National Scale
A scale of analysis that examines issues and phenomena at the level of an entire country, often involving national policies and trends.
Example:
Analyzing the effects of a country's new healthcare policy on its entire population is an example of research at the National Scale.
Regional Scale
A scale of analysis that focuses on areas larger than a single community but smaller than an entire country, characterized by shared geographic or cultural traits.
Example:
Investigating the spread of a particular agricultural practice across the American Midwest, a distinct farming area, involves analysis at the Regional Scale.
Representative Fraction (RF)
A type of map scale expressed as a ratio (e.g., 1:24,000), where one unit on the map equals a specified number of the same units on the ground.
Example:
A map with a Representative Fraction (RF) of 1:100,000 means that one centimeter on the map represents 100,000 centimeters (or 1 kilometer) in reality.
Scales of Analysis
Different levels or perspectives at which geographic phenomena are studied, allowing geographers to zoom in or out to understand patterns and processes.
Example:
When studying global warming, analyzing it at the scales of analysis of a polar ice cap shows immediate melting, while a global view reveals worldwide temperature increases.
Small Scale
A map scale that shows a large geographic area with less detail, typically used for world maps or continental maps.
Example:
A geographer studying global migration patterns would use a Small Scale map to visualize broad movements across continents.
Verbal Scale
A type of map scale expressed in words, stating the relationship between map distance and ground distance (e.g., '1 inch equals 1 mile').
Example:
A hiking trail map might use a Verbal Scale that says 'One inch equals 500 feet,' making it easy for hikers to estimate distances.