Reading tourism and recreation maps
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Flip to reveal answersHow do you read a six-figure grid reference?
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All 12 Flashcards — Reading tourism and recreation maps
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Question
How do you read a six-figure grid reference?
Answer
**Eastings first, then northings** - along the corridor, then up the stairs; split each square into tenths for the exact point.
Question
What does a map scale of 1:50 000 mean?
Answer
1 cm on the map = 50 000 cm = **500 m** on the ground (so 2 cm = 1 km).
Question
Define a contour line.
Answer
A line joining points of **equal height**; close together = steep, widely spaced = gentle.
Question
What is a spot height?
Answer
A single labelled point on the map giving an **exact altitude** in metres.
Question
How do you find a height (altitude) difference?
Answer
**Subtract** the lower spot height from the higher one - e.g. 775 m - 95 m = 680 m gained.
Question
How do you turn map distance into real distance?
Answer
Measure the route, then read it against the **scale bar** (1:50 000 -> 2 cm = 1 km, 1 cm = 500 m).
Question
What is a compass-direction question asking for?
Answer
The **bearing of the second place from the first** (N, NE, E... or an exact bearing in degrees).
Question
Define site suitability.
Answer
How well a place fits a leisure use, judged from **map evidence** - access, flat land, accommodation, scenery.
Question
What does a site-suitability mark always need?
Answer
A **reason PLUS specific map evidence** (a named road, campsite, contour or grid reference) - not a bare assertion.
Question
Which features make a venue hard for crowds to reach?
Answer
**No car park, no station, narrow congested streets, no main road** - read off the surrounding map.
Question
Why must a 'land-based' recreation activity exclude surfing or swimming?
Answer
Those are **water/beach** activities; the question wants land activities like walking, birdwatching, cycling or rock climbing.
Question
On a topographic map, what does close contour spacing tell a trekker?
Answer
The ground is **steep** there - the climb is harder and slower, so rest stops and lodges cluster on gentler ground.
Read the notes
Full study notes for Reading tourism and recreation maps
Topic 11.2 hub
Tourism and sport at the local and national scale
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