Calculating area on a map.
Example
![]() |
![]() |
Steps:
Always take note of the unit in which the answer must be given – this will usually be m² or km².
ACTIVITY 1: [LO 1.3]
Remember the following:
![]() |
The distance completed will have to be calculated from the map and be given in real km. Speed or time will always be provided.
![]() |
How long will it take to travel by car at 60 km/h from point A to point B?
Steps:
![]() |
ACTIVITY 2: [LO 1.3]
At what time will a person arrive at a destination if he or she leaves the house at 7:00 and travels a distance shown as 8 cm on a 1 : 50 000 map? Reading and analysing maps
Topographic maps are among the most useful and precise maps that are available because of the amount of detail that they contain and the precision with which the minutest details are indicated.
Topographic maps and orthophoto maps provide the geographer’s tools (SOURCE) and the reader needs to understand the language of the map. This makes it possible to give scientific explanations of features.
The activities that follow will help the learner to master map-reading techniques and skills and to extend his or her knowledge of Bloemfontein.
ACTIVITY 3: [LO 1.7]
Consult your atlas to answer the following questions:
Provide reasons for the city’s:
ACTIVITY 4: [LO 1.3]
Study the accompanying extract from the 1 : 50 000 topographic map of South Africa, sheet 2926 AA Bloemfontein, and orthophoto 2926 AA 9 Spitskop and answer the following questions:
1. Identify the features of the landscape that occur at the following coordinates:
a) 29º05'40" S, 26º09'20" E.
b) 29º06' S, 26º10'35" E.
2. Indicate the position of the 2926 AA Bloemfontein map sheet by means of a simple sketch:
Indicate which map sheet lies directly to the:
a) North
b) West
c) South ______ of 2926 AA.
Which scale is larger?
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
| Rainfall in mm | 91,4 | 78,7 | 76,2 | 55,9 | 25,4 | 7,6 | 10,2 | 11,2 | 15,5 | 50,8 | 66 | 62,3 |
ACTIVITY 5: [LO 1.4]
1. A cellular telephone service provider wants to erect a communications tower for the cellular phone service. It has to be situated on the highest point in the area. Provide the height in metres of the highest point indicated on the map. Also provide the coordinates for the specific point.
2. Provide a reason why the observatory (Observatory Theatre) was built on Naval Hill (29°05’45” S, 26°14’20” E) and not in a more central part of the city.
3. Calculate magnetic north from trigonometry beacon Δ 50 (29°03’45” S, 26°10’50” E). Show all calculations.
4. How long will it take a traveller to go from the one N1 intersection (29°07’45” S, 26°10’ E) to the other N1 intersection (29°05’30” S, 26°10’20” E) if an average speed of 120 km/h is maintained?
5. Calculate the area of the terminal building of the railway line (square black building) at 29°06’50” S, 26°14’50” E. Show all calculations.
6. What is true north from Δ 174 (29°05’25” S, 26°11’30” E) to the peak of Spitskop (29°05’40” S, 26°9’20” E.)
ACTIVITY 6: [LO 1.2]
Use the orthophoto only and answer the following questions:
ACTIVITY 7: [LO 2.2]
Make a poster about Bloemfontein. It must be eye-catching to attract visitors and tourists.
Your poster should present the following information:
| Learning Outcomes(LOs) |
| LO 1 |
| Geographical EnquiryThe learner will be able to use enquiry skills to investigate geographical and environmental concepts and processes. |
| Assessment Standards(ASs) |
| We know this when the learner: |
| 1.2 asks questions that are relevant for identifying sources; |
| 1.3 draws conclusions and makes analyses to obtain information from sources such as photographs, maps, atlases, graphs and statistics; |
| 1.4 correlates information from different sources; |
| 1.7 reports on knowledge that they have obtained through research, making use of different sources of information. |
| LO 2 |
| Geographical Knowledge and UnderstandingThe learner will be able to demonstrate geographical and environmental knowledge and understanding. |
| We know this when the learner: |
| 2.2 identifies ways in which Science and Technology have contributed a positively and negatively influence to development (people and resources.) |
ACTIVITY1:
(5,6 × 0,5) × (3,4 × 0,5)
2,8 × 1,7
= 4,76 km2
(1,1 × 500) × (0,6 × 500)
550 × 300
165 000 m2
ACTIVITY 2:
DistanceSpeed1. Actual distance = 8 × 0,5 = 4 km
Time =
=
= 0,05 × 60
= 3 minutes
= 7:03
ACTIVITY 3:
=
= 0,583 × 60
= 34,98 minutes
Development of Bloemfontein
ACTIVITY 4:
1a) Pointed hill
b) Flat-topped hill (Naval Hill)
![]() |
3a) 2826 CC
b) 2925 BB
c) 2926 AC
4.
![]() |
5a) Topographical map = 1:50 000
Orthophoto = 1:10 000
b) Topographical 1:50 000 is a smaller scale
8 (a)
![]() |
ACTIVITY 5:
1. Highest point 1499
Co-ordinates: 290 05’ 50” S 260 13’ 20’ E
City lights and pollution have smaller effect here.
3. True North / Bearing : 1640
Magnetic Declination : 2001 – 2003 = 2 years
2 × 6’ westwards (+)
20035’ + 12’
= 20035’ west of true north
Magnetic Bearing = 640 + 20035’
= 184035’
4. Map distance = 8,5 cm × 0,5 = 4,25 km
Time =
=
= 0,35 × 60
= 2,1 minutes
(0,9 × 500) × (0,5 × 500)
450 × 250
= 112 500m2
6. Actual bearing = 2660
ACTIVITY 6:
26,6 × 0,1
= 2,66 km
Many soldiers who live in barracks
6.a) South-east
b) Afternoons
ACTIVITY 7:
In order for a poster to catch the eye, it must be easy to read.
Make use of photos, sketches, etc. and limit the text to a minimum by listing only the most important facts.