Chapter 14 · NCERT Class 5 Maths Mela

Maps and Locations

A map is a tiny picture of a big place. With directions (North, East, South, West), a grid of rows and columns, and a scale that shrinks the world to fit on paper, you can find any spot and plan your way. Tap each idea to explore.

🗺 3 topics⏱ ~20 min📝 10-question quiz

Play with it

Six ideas about maps

Reading a map uses directions, grids and scale. Tap each word to see what it means, with an example you can picture.

Explore · Mapstap a word

Learn

The three big ideas

The four main directions are North, East, South and West. On most maps, North is at the top.
Going clockwise from North you pass East, then South, then West (a handy memory: N-E-S-W).
If you face North and turn right, you face East; turn left and you face West.

Worked example. You are facing North. You turn right once, then right again. Which direction are you facing now?

First right: North → East. Second right: East → South.

A map grid has columns (often numbered) and rows (often lettered).
A grid reference names one square using a column and a row together, like (3, B).
To find a place, slide across to its column, then down to its row — where they meet is the spot.

Common mix-up: keep the order steady. If column comes first, always say column then row — (3, B) is a different square from (B, 3) if you swap them.

Scale tells you how a small distance on the map stands for a big distance in real life, e.g. 1 cm = 100 m.
To get a real distance, multiply: if two shops are 4 cm apart, that is 4 × 100 = 400 m.
The map key (legend) explains the symbols — a tree for a park, a blue line for a river, a cross for a hospital.

Where you'll meet it

Maps in everyday life

Finding your way in a city

A bus-stop map or a phone map uses directions and a scale to show how far the market is and which way to turn. Reading it saves you from getting lost.

Seating plans & classroom maps

A seating chart is a grid: column and row tell you exactly where each friend sits. The same grid idea is used to find a seat in a cinema or a train.

Treasure hunts & games

"Three steps East, then two steps North" — a treasure-hunt clue is pure direction and counting. Board games like chess also use a grid of rows and columns.

Check yourself

Practice quiz

A friendly set of questions about directions, grid references, the map key and scale — to check that you can read a map, not just name its parts.

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