Is a Large-Scale Map better than a Small-Scale Map?
It is normally more detailed, which means it covers less territory. Map scale is described by a ratio. If a map has a scale of 1:100,000, this means that 1 centimeter on the map represents 100,000 centimeters in real life. A map with a scale of 1:100,000 should have more detail (it is larger scale) than a map with a scale of 1:300,000. On a 1:100 000 scale map, 1 inch = about 1.58 miles; on a 1:300 000 scale map, 1 inch = about 4.73 miles. On the very detailed 1:50 000 scale M711 series Norway maps, 1 inch = about .79 mile. Note: A SMALLER number on the right side of the ratio means that the map is LARGER scale. Don’t let this confuse you! If you use a camera with a zoom lens, you may think of the 1:100,000 scale map as a map set on “telephoto,” and the 1:300,000 scale map as one set on “wide angle.” On “telephoto” you see many things you can’t see when you look through a lens set on “wide angle,” but you can’t see as much territory at one time. For instance, you can fit all of Norway
