Written Scale

Definition

This is another way to express scale on maps; instead of using numbers or ratios, it uses words to describe the relationship between a unit of length on the map and a unit of distance on the ground.

Analogy

Imagine you're reading a pirate's treasure map. Instead of saying "1 inch equals 1 mile," it might say "one palm's breadth north from the old oak tree." That's what written scales are like - they use words to help you understand distances.

Related terms

Verbal Scale: This is another term for written scale; it expresses scale in sentence form, such as "One inch represents ten miles."

Graphic Scale: A visual representation of scale on a map, usually in the form of a bar line marked with distances.

Relative Distance: A measure that describes the amount of social, cultural, or economic connectivity between two places despite their absolute (geographical) distance.