What part of a map tells the relationship of distance shown on the map to real distance on the Earth? My answer is a map scale. Is this correct?
The map scale, yes.
Yes, you are correct! The part of a map that tells the relationship of distance shown on the map to real distance on the Earth is called the map scale. It is a graphic or numerical representation that helps to understand the size and distances of features on the map in relation to their actual size and distances in the real world.
To determine the scale of a map, there are a couple of ways to go about it:
1. Graphic Scale: A graphic scale is a ruler-like line that is usually located in a corner or along one of the edges of the map. It is marked with units of distance (such as miles or kilometers) and divided into smaller increments. By comparing the distance measured on the map's scale to the distance it represents on the Earth, you can determine the map's scale.
2. Representative Fraction Scale: The representative fraction scale uses a ratio to represent the relationship between the map and the actual distance on the Earth. For example, a representative fraction of 1:100,000 means that one unit of measurement on the map represents 100,000 units of the same measurement in real life. This scale is usually found in the map's legend or key.
By utilizing either of these methods, you can determine and understand the map scale, which is vital for accurate distance measurement and navigation on a map.