Map Reading and Interpretation

(a) Presence of tanks and canals indicates that the land is used for agriculture.

(b) Presence of open scrub indicates that the land is used for sheep and goat rearing.

(c) Presence of stony waste indicates that the land is uncultivable.

(d) Presence of causeway indicates a dry river and desert regions which receive only seasonal rainfall.

Thickly settled areas are located over fertile plains and on wide river valleys.

A dendritic drainage pattern indicates that the land has soft surface rock material suitable for agriculture.

The climate of a place can be inferred from the latitudinal extent of the area covered by the toposheet and the type of natural vegetation found there.

1. The latitude indicates whether the climate is hot, temperate, or cold. For example, places near 10° N are generally warmer than places near 35° N.
2. The vegetation also indicates the climate. Dense forests suggest heavy rainfall, while cactus, thorny bushes, and sparse grasses indicate an arid or semi-arid climate.

The factors that affect settlements in an area are as follows-

Physical factors:

1. Body of water (transportation routes, water for drinking and farming)
2. Flat land (easy to build)
3. Fertile soil (for crops)
4. Forests (timber and housing)

Human factors:

1. People who share a common language, religion or culture
2. Social network or supports
3. Quality of life
4. Employment

(a) Dry river bed → 6

(b) Saddle → 8

(c) Steep slope → 4

(d) Pass → 1

(e) Gap → 3

(f) Gully → 5

(g) Knoll → 7

(h) Hill → 2