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What is a Map? Essentials of Map Making Class 11

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GeographyCBSE Class 11 · Introduction to Maps

What is a Map? Essentials of Map Making and Its History (Class 11 Practical Work in Geography, Chapter 1)

Updated 17 October 2026 · Fact-checked

A map is a selective, symbolised and generalised representation of the whole or part of the earth's surface on a plane surface at a reduced scale. Lines and polygons without a scale make only a sketch. The five essentials of map making are scale, map projection, generalisation, map design, and construction and production.

Understand What is a Map? Map versus Sketch, the Five Essentials of Map Making and the History of Cartography

Why this topic matters. This chapter belongs to the 30-mark practical exam (written test 25, practical file 3, viva 2); the definition, the five essentials and the map-versus-sketch distinction are asked in the written test and viva.

1. Map and globe. The earth is a geoid, three-dimensional, best shown on a globe. A map is a simplified depiction of all or part of the earth on paper, a two-dimensional form of the three-dimensional earth. Features cannot be shown in true size, so a map is drawn at a reduced scale, with features simplified by symbols, colours and shades. Each point on the map corresponds to a ground position through scale and projection.

2. Definition. A map is a selective, symbolised and generalised representation of the whole or part of the earth's surface on a plane surface at a reduced scale.

3. Sketch. A simple network of lines and polygons without a scale is not a map but a sketch, a freehand drawing that does not preserve true scale or orientation.

4. Cartography. The art, science and technology of making maps. Five essentials: scale (the first decision, setting the limits of information and degree of reality); map projection (transforming the curved geoid to a plane, which changes directions, distances, areas and shapes); generalisation (selecting and simplifying information for a general-purpose or special-purpose thematic map); map design (symbols, lettering, line widths, colours, legend and layout); and construction and production (earlier pen and ink and mechanical printing, now computer-assisted mapping).

5. History in the world. The oldest map is a clay tablet from Mesopotamia of about 2,500 BC. Ptolemy produced a map of the world. Greek and Arab geographers laid the foundation of modern cartography by measuring the earth's circumference and using geographical coordinates. Projections were developed to reduce errors, and aerial photography in the 19th and 20th centuries supplemented ground surveys.

6. History in India. Foundations lie in the Vedic period; astronomy crystallised into the siddhantas of Aryabhata, Varahamihira and Bhaskara. Ancient scholars divided the world into seven dwipas, and the Mahabharata conceived a round world surrounded by water. Todarmal pioneered land surveys for revenue and Sher Shah Suri's revenue maps enriched techniques. The Survey of India was set up in 1767, and its surveys culminated in the map of Hindustan in 1785.

What is a Map? Map versus Sketch, the Five Essentials of Map Making and the History of Cartography: key facts

Definition
  • Selective
  • Symbolised
  • Generalised
  • Plane surface
  • Reduced scale
Map definition.
Five essentials
  • Scale
  • Map projection
  • Generalisation
  • Map design
  • Construction and production
Cartography.
Map versus sketch
Map: scale and projection, true positions | Sketch: freehand, no scale
Without scale, a sketch.
Dates
  • Oldest map: clay tablet, Mesopotamia, about 2,500 BC
  • Survey of India 1767
  • Map of Hindustan 1785
History.

How to answer What is a Map? Map versus Sketch, the Five Essentials of Map Making and the History of Cartography questions

Definition-plus-explanation items follow the key words of the definition.

  1. 1Write the definition in one sentence.
  2. 2Explain each key word (selective, symbolised, generalised, reduced scale) in one line.
  3. 3Add one distinguishing point against a sketch or globe.
  4. 4Add an example if marks allow.

What is a Map? Map versus Sketch, the Five Essentials of Map Making and the History of Cartography in real life

The idea, met in an everyday situation. Answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.

Hand-drawn route to a shop

Suppose a shopkeeper draws a quick route to his shop with a few lines and boxes, with no scale shown.

Is this a map or a sketch, and why?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. It has no scale and does not preserve true distances.
  2. Lines and polygons without a scale make a sketch.

Answer: It is a sketch.

Memory hook: No scale, so a sketch.

Why a plan cannot be actual size

Suppose a school wants a plan of its campus drawn on a sheet of paper in actual size.

Why is a reduced scale needed?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. A plan in actual size would be as big as the campus.
  2. A map is drawn at a reduced scale.

Answer: To fit the area on paper, a reduced scale is used.

Memory hook: Big land, small paper.

Tricks to remember What is a Map? Map versus Sketch, the Five Essentials of Map Making and the History of Cartography

Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.

  • SSG

    Selective, Symbolised, Generalised

    Use it when: Map definition.

  • S-P-G-D-C

    Scale, Projection, Generalisation, Design, Construction

    Use it when: Five essentials.

  • 1767 and 1785

    Survey of India set up, map of Hindustan

    Use it when: Indian history.

What is a Map? Map versus Sketch, the Five Essentials of Map Making and the History of Cartography: solved examples

Ordered from board level to HOTS. Try each one before you open the solution.

Example 1: Oldest map · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

The oldest known map is a:
(A) papyrus from Egypt
(B) clay tablet from Mesopotamia
(C) Ptolemy's world map
(D) map of Hindustan

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. A clay tablet of Mesopotamia, about 2,500 BC (1 mark).

Answer: (B)

Example 2: Sketch · 2 marks · Very short answerBoard level

What is a sketch and how does it differ from a map? (2 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. A sketch is a freehand drawing of lines and polygons without a scale (1 mark).
  2. A map has a scale and preserves true positions through projection (1 mark).

Answer: A sketch is a simple network of lines and polygons without a scale, so it does not preserve true distance or orientation. A map is drawn to a scale with a projection.

Example 3: Five essentials · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

Name and briefly explain any three essentials of map making. (3 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Scale: the first decision, sets limits of information (1 mark).
  2. Map projection: transforms the geoid to a plane, changing directions, distances, areas, shapes (1 mark).
  3. Generalisation or design or construction with one line (1 mark).

Answer: Scale is the first decision and sets the limits of information and degree of reality. Map projection transforms the curved geoid onto a plane, which necessarily changes directions, distances, areas and shapes. Generalisation means selecting relevant information for the map's purpose and simplifying it.

Example 4: Assertion and reason: generalisation · 1 mark · Assertion-reasonHarder board level

Assertion (A): A map cannot show every feature of the area exactly as it is.
Reason (R): A map is a selective and generalised representation at a reduced scale.
(A) Both true, R explains A
(B) Both true, R does not explain A
(C) A true, R false
(D) A false, R true

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Selection and generalisation at reduced scale explain the omission and simplification (1 mark).

Answer: (A)

Example 5: HOTS: purpose and generalisation · 5 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency

A cartographer is asked to prepare one map for tourists visiting a city and another map of population density for a planner. Explain how generalisation and design will differ, and which kind of map each is. (5 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Tourist map is a general-purpose map showing roads, landmarks, transport (1 mark).
  2. Population density map is a special-purpose thematic map (1 mark).
  3. The cartographer selects only relevant information for each purpose (1 mark).
  4. Symbols, colours and lettering are designed differently, with a clear legend (1 mark).
  5. Both need a scale and a projection (1 mark).

Answer: The tourist map is a general-purpose map and will select features such as roads, landmarks and transport, simplified with clear symbols. The population density map is a special-purpose (thematic) map and will select density data and show it by shades or symbols with a legend. In both cases the cartographer selects only the information relevant to the purpose, designs symbols, lettering and colours accordingly, and relies on a scale and projection.

Where students lose marks in What is a Map? Map versus Sketch, the Five Essentials of Map Making and the History of Cartography

The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.

  • Mistake: Defining a map as a picture of the earth

    Too vague.

    Wrong working

    A map is a picture of the earth.

    Right working

    A map is a selective, symbolised, generalised representation at a reduced scale.

    Do this: Use the three key words.

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

  • Mistake: Calling any drawing with lines a map

    Sketch and map confused.

    Wrong working

    A hand drawing of roads is a map.

    Right working

    Without scale it is a sketch.

    Do this: Check for scale.

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

  • Mistake: Missing the essential "construction and production"

    Only four learnt.

    Wrong working

    Essentials are scale, projection, design and generalisation.

    Right working

    Five: add construction and production.

    Do this: Count to five.

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

Exam tips

  • Quote the definition word for word and explain each key word.
  • Give the five essentials in order.
  • Quote 1767 and 1785 for Indian map history.

Practice questions on What is a Map? Map versus Sketch, the Five Essentials of Map Making and the History of Cartography

Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.

  1. Q1 · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

    The Survey of India was set up in:
    (A) 1767
    (B) 1785
    (C) 1857
    (D) 1947

    Hint

    Before the map of Hindustan.

    Answer

    (A)

  2. Q2 · 2 marks · Very short answerBoard level

    Who laid the foundation of modern cartography according to the chapter? Give one contribution. (2 marks)

    Hint

    Greeks and Arabs.

    Answer

    Greek and Arab geographers laid the foundations by measuring the earth's circumference and using geographical coordinates.

  3. Q3 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

    Why does every map need a projection? (3 marks)

    Hint

    Curved to flat.

    Answer

    The earth is a curved geoid but a map is flat, so the curved surface must be transformed onto a plane by a projection. This transformation unavoidably changes directions, distances, areas and shapes, so the choice of projection is important.

  4. Q4 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

    Name three contributions to map making in ancient and medieval India. (3 marks)

    Hint

    Siddhantas, dwipas, Todarmal.

    Answer

    Vedic astronomy crystallised into siddhantas by Aryabhata, Varahamihira and Bhaskara; ancient scholars divided the world into seven dwipas, and the Mahabharata described a round world surrounded by water; Todarmal and Sher Shah Suri prepared surveys and revenue maps.

  5. Q5 · 4 marks · Short answerHOTS / competency

    A student draws a map of her neighbourhood with symbols, a legend and north arrow but no scale and calls it accurate. Evaluate with reference to the chapter, and say what must be added. (4 marks)

    Hint

    Scale first.

    Answer

    Without a scale the drawing is only a sketch, however neat. Scale is the first essential, since it relates map distance to ground distance and sets the information that can be shown. A scale (and an appropriate projection) must be added so that distances can be measured.

Test your recall

Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.

  1. 1.What is the study and making of maps called?Show answer

    Cartography.

  2. 2.Which is the first decision in map making?Show answer

    Scale.

  3. 3.What is a geoid?Show answer

    The three-dimensional shape of the earth.

  4. 4.Who prepared revenue maps in medieval India?Show answer

    Todarmal and Sher Shah Suri.

What is a Map? Map versus Sketch, the Five Essentials of Map Making and the History of Cartography: frequently asked questions

Is a globe a map?

A globe represents the geoid best, but a map shows it on a plane.

What is a thematic map?

A special-purpose map such as population density or soils.

Is this chapter in the theory paper?

No, it belongs to the practical exam.