Scales

The selection of scale is one of the most important considerations during mapping. It is decided on the basis of :

•  purpose of the map;

•  nature of terrain to be mapped;

•  the size of the final sheet;

•  availability of resources to get it prepared and printed.

Some of these factors are of opposite and conflicting in nature.Therefore, in selecting the scale, the map-maker has to make a judicious decision and to make a compromise.

Table - Suggested scales for different types of survey

Serial No	Purpose of Survey	Scale	R.F.
1.	Land Survey	1 cm = 5 m to 50 m	1:500 to 1:5000
2.	Topographical Survey	1 cm = 0.25 km to 2.5 km	1:25,000 to 1:250,000
3.	Building Site	1 cm = 10 m	1:1000
4.	Route Survey	1 cm = 100 m	1:10,000
5.	Town Planning	1 cm = 100 m	1:10,000