What is Scale (Geographic)

The level at which location is visualized or analyzed. It is the resolution at which a map is depicted and is measured as a ratio of distance on the map to distance on the ground. For example, a map on a scale of 1:100,000 means that “1” on the map represents 100,000 feet on the ground. The larger the scale of the map, the more detail on the ground can be seen. Large-scale maps cover less area but show greater detail (think of “zooming in,” where objects become larger and more detail is seen).

Mapping the Chromosome through a Novel Use of GIS and Spatial Analysis

Jane L. Garb (Baystate Health, USA), D. Joseph Jerry (University of Massachusetts, USA & Pioneer Valley Life Sciences Institute, USA), Mary J. Hagen (University of Massachusetts, USA), and Jennifer Friderici (Baystate Health, USA)