Land Survey Method - Multi Skill Foundation - Class 10

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SESSION 8: LAND SURVEY METHOD 
 
Some years ago, to measure the land the rope or chain were used. Distance was 
measured by British measurement system e.g. inch, foot, miles etc. Since 1972, 
we applied metric measurement system. E.g. mm, cm. m, km. etc. In this modern 
technological development, Dumpy Level system is useful for survey. Below are 
listed the few basic concepts of this survey method. 
Map and index lines: map is a picture of a land taken from a height. It adds to 
the verbal information provided. The language, drawing, reading of the map is 
standardized all over the world. The mountains, rivers, roads, the sea, lakes, 
temples, fort, houses, valleys are shown in standard symbols. Therefore, any 
person can read the map without knowing the script of a language. 
 
Definition of map: 
 
A figure of specific area seen from the top, in a proportionate scale, presentation, 
symbols and signs, direction etc. drawn on a plain surface is map. Index is 
shown in corner of map. Index clears the meaning of signs and symbols, direction 
and scale. Index is important in map reading. Following technical things are to be 
considered: 
1. Proportion: the ratio of distance between two places and the distance between 
two points on map is in proportion. There is correlation between actual 
distance on land and the distance between two points on map.  Proportion is 
based on the area of landscape. E.g. if 1 cm is considered for 10,00,000 cm 
then 100,000 cm is equal to 1 km. hence, 1cm is 10 km. 
2. Direction: the direction is shown by the upper side arrow symbol 
in the map. The upper direction is considered for the north 
direction. By this sign, we can determine the other directions.      
 
3. Signs: different signs and colours are used in a map. These are 
standardized and each symbol means the same all over the 
world .E.g. the narrow bridge.  
 
4. A degree of latitude and longitude: to show a fixed place on 
map, use of imaginary lines as X-axis and Y-axis is done. X-
axis presents a degree of latitude and Y- axis as a degree of longitude. 
X-axis and Y-axis make fix a point on graph, likewise a degree of longitude 
and a degree of latitude fix the location of a place. 
Uses of map: 
1. To find out the routes in new places. 
2. To measure the distance between two places. 
3. To find out the options of the roads. 
4. To know the geographical situation. 
5. To know highs and lows of a place. 
6. We can also get the information of crop, weather, wind flow, rainfall, minerals, 
population etc. from maps