Large scale and small scale

A large amount of confusion is caused by the two terms "large scale" and "small scale". "Large scale" refers to maps on which objects are relatively large, "small scale" to maps on which objects are relatively small. Large scale and small scale are subjective terms. For example a town planner who is used to working with plans at 1:1000, may consider 1:25 000 a small scale map, while an atlas compiler commonly working with maps of scales 1:5 000 000 would consider 1:25 000 a large scale map.

the ratio 1:10 000 - means that the size of objects on the map is 1/10 000 of their size on the ground.
the ratio 1:250 000 - means that the size of objects on the map is 1/250 000 of their size on the ground.

1/10 000 is a larger fraction than 1/250 000, so 1:10 000 is the large scale map. (In the same way that 1/2 of an apple is a large piece of apple when compared to 1/8 of an apple).

A large scale map of Long Reef Point from a 1:25 000 map, enlarged
to show detail

A small scale map of Long Reef Point taken from a
1: 100 000 map, enlarged to show detail

Chapter 2 contents page

Large scale and small scale

A large scale map of Long Reef Point from a 1:25 000 map, enlarged to show detail

A small scale map of Long Reef Point taken from a 1: 100 000 map, enlarged to show detail

A large scale map of Long Reef Point from a 1:25 000 map, enlarged
to show detail

A small scale map of Long Reef Point taken from a
1: 100 000 map, enlarged to show detail