Maps

Seeing that a map is a representation of the real world on a limited size of paper means that a map is restricted as to what can be shown. The map-maker (cartographer) has to select what to show and what to leave out. The cartographer is guided by what the main purpose of the map is, such as a road map or a topographical map. A road map emphasizes the roads and towns but little else, while a topographic map, also called a general map, shows as much of the landscape elevations, roads, towns etc. as possible. The following are some types of maps that you will find:

Topgraphical maps

The 1:50 000 topographical maps are the largest scale maps providing full coverage of South Africa. They accurately depict the location of natural and man-made features by means of symbols and colour and elevation by means of spot heights and contours (20m interval). Additional information added are place names, boundaries, magnetic data, etc. These maps contain essential information for planning and decision making but also have many other uses

Topo-cadastral maps

The 1:250 000 topo-casdastral maps show topographical detail with the additional names, numbers and boundaries of original farms, the boundaries of magisterial districts, and provincial and international boundaries.

Orthophoto maps

The 1:10 000 orthophoto maps combine all the advantages of conventionally drawn line maps and aerial photography. The photographic background has been rectified to remove image displacements and enlarged to a scale of 1:10 000. Cartographic elements that cannot be derived from the photographic background have been added, namely: a co-ordinate grid, contours and spot heights, place names and route numbers. These maps are well suited for detail planning and for analysis of what exists on the ground. The orthophoto maps cover all metropolitan and peri-urban areas and growth areas.