CST Level 1 Land Surveyor Certification Practice

What characterizes a large scale map?

1. Shows a detailed view of a small area

2. Has a representative fraction of 1:2,000,000 or more

3. Is used principally for global mapping

4. Represents an abstract area with no specific details

The correct answer is: Shows a detailed view of a small area

A large scale map is defined by its ability to show a detailed view of a small area. This means that the features presented on the map are represented with a high level of detail, allowing for precise location and characteristics of the land, structures, and other geographic elements to be discerned easily. In large scale maps, the scale ratio is smaller (e.g., 1:10,000), which indicates that one unit of measurement on the map corresponds to a relatively smaller number of the same units in real life, thereby magnifying the area depicted. The other choices describe characteristics that are associated with small scale maps. For example, a representative fraction of 1:2,000,000 or more suggests a smaller scale map, which covers larger areas with less detail. Similarly, maps used principally for global mapping and those representing abstract areas without specific details also pertain to small scale representations, focusing on broader regions with generalized features rather than specifics. Thus, the correct identification of a large scale map primarily correlates with its detailed depiction of a smaller area.