Map scales

Members of the Engineering Geology and Ground Water Branches, U.S. Geological Survey

doi:10.3133/fs03800

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Map scales

Members of the Engineering Geology and Ground Water Branches, U.S. Geological Survey

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Abstract

To be most useful, a map must show locations and distances accurately on a sheet of paper of convenient size. This means that all things included in the map-ground area, rivers, lakes, roads, distances between features, and so on must be shown proportionately smaller than they really are. The proportion chosen for a particular map is its scale.

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Members of the Engineering Geology and Ground Water Branches, U.S. Geological Survey. 2000. Map scales. https://doi.org/10.3133/fs03800

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