CST Level 1 Land Surveyor Certification Practice

What does a small scale map represent?

1. A large area of the earth's surface with less detail

2. A small area with maximum detail

3. An urban area with precise measurements

4. A specific geological feature with detailed context

The correct answer is: A large area of the earth's surface with less detail

A small scale map represents a large area of the earth's surface with less detail. This type of map is characterized by a smaller scale ratio, meaning that one unit of measurement on the map corresponds to a larger number of the same units in the real world. For instance, a scale of 1:1,000,000 indicates that one unit on the map represents one million of those units on the ground. As a result, small scale maps can show extensive geographic features such as continents or countries but do so with a reduced level of detail. This lower level of detail is necessary to fit a significant portion of the earth's surface into a single representation, making it useful for general overviews, such as in road maps, political maps, or any application where broad spatial relations are more vital than intricate local details. In contrast, other options refer to maps that are better suited for displaying smaller areas with significant detail, precise measurements, or specific features. This encompasses features more commonly found on large scale maps, which focus on smaller areas but provide extensive detail.