Map Scale

map scale - The relationship between distance on a map and the corresponding distance on the earth`s surface. Map scale is often recorded as a representative fraction such as 1:1,000,000 (1 unit on the map represents a million units on the earth`s surface) or 1:24,000 (1 unit on the map represents 24,000 units on the earth`s surface). The terms `large` and `small` refer to the relative magnitude of the representative fraction. Since 1/1,000,000 is a smaller fraction than 1/24,000, the former is said to be a smaller scale. Small scales are often used to map large areas because each map unit covers a larger earth distance. Large-scale maps are employed for detailed maps of smaller areas.

[Category=Geospatial ]

Source: Open Geospatial Consortium, 23 June 2011 07:41:06, http://www.opengeospatial.org/ogc/glossary  

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Map Scale - The ratio of a distance on a map to the true distance on the ground. For example, if the map scale is 1:1000, 1cm on the map represents 10 m on the ground.

See also Design Scale

[Category=Geospatial ]

Source: City of Toronto, 25 November 2013 09:12:36, http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=7fdf38379bac0410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD&vgnextfmt=default