Read the text of page number 8 about the “Use of maps in our times” and answer the following question:

What are the various purposes for which maps are used in our times?

In our times, maps are used for the following activities-

1. They are extensively used for planning and development of countries.

2. Planning requires identification of the resources available in a region and the problems faced by it. For example – maps of regions having very low levels of drinking water can be made. Further various thematic maps showing resources of that region can be compared and based on the comparison, possible solutions can be brought up.

3. Planning of agricultural development, setting up of industries, building roads and hospitals and schools is also carried out with the help of maps.

4. Maps are also used by companies to plan their business and work. For example – a mobile phone company that wishes to spread its networks in an area will need to maps of villages, towns, hills and forests to set up microwave towers.