Why don't tourist maps show a scale anymore?

We’re sorry, this feature is currently unavailable. We’re working to restore it. Please try again later.

Advertisement

This was published 8 years ago

Why don't tourist maps show a scale anymore?

By Michael Gebicki
Global problems.

Global problems.





IT PUZZLES ME WHY SO MANY TOURIST MAPS HAVE NO ATTACHED SCALE. WHETHER IT'S A CITY'S STREETS OR A REGIONAL MAP WHERE YOU WANT TO KNOW DRIVING DISTANCE IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE SOME IDEA HOW FAR YOUR DESTINATION MIGHT BE. IS THERE SOME LOGICAL REASON NOT TO INCLUDE SCALE OR SOME HIDDEN AGENDA?

D. GINSBOURG, EAST BENTLEIGH

Scale has indeed slithered off many tourist maps, along with it's buddy 'north' with that little arrow in the top right hand corner, and I'm at a loss to explain it as well. According to a document titled Fundamentals of Mapping from Australia's Intergovernmental Committee on Surveying and Mapping, "The majority of maps need the scale to be stated (maps without scales are essentially diagrams). This should always be given by Statement of Scale (eg 1:1,000,000) and/or by showing a Scale Bar."

Here's a possible explanation. A graphic artist is charged with producing a map of an area of a city, Paris say, so they get hold of a proper cartographic map with a scale, scan whatever section of the map they need, fit it to size and job done.

However because the scale and much other handy information might sit in an area of the map that is not included in the scan it gets left out.

It is also possible that graphic artists, being predominantly switched-on, early-adopting techie types, are using Google maps to navigate. Therefore scale would be irrelevant since the app tells you how far away your destination lies, and the notion of a scale loses currency in their minds.


Sign up for the Traveller newsletter

The latest travel news, tips and inspiration delivered to your inbox. Sign up now.

Most viewed on Traveller

Loading