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A verbal scale is a type of map scale that is unitless. It describes the relationship between distance on the map and actual distance on the Earth's surface in words rather than a ratio or graphic representation.
A verbal scale, also known as a written scale, remains accurate when a map is enlarged or reduced. This type of scale describes the scale in words rather than using a graphical representation.
There are generally three types of scales in geography: map scale, geographical scale, and cartographic scale. Map scale refers to the relationship between a distance on a map and the actual distance on Earth. Geographical scale refers to the level of geographical area being studied, from local to global. Cartographic scale refers to the level of detail and accuracy represented on a map.
In a map scale where the numerator is always 1, it is called a verbal scale. This type of scale expresses the relationship between distance on the map and actual distance on the ground in words, such as "1 inch equals 10 miles."
A map scaled at 1:175000 means that one centimetre on the map represents 175,000 centimetres on the ground.
A large-scale map shows a smaller area in great detail, with a higher level of magnification. Therefore, a map with the largest scale would be a detailed map of a specific location, such as a city or neighborhood, where each unit of measurement on the map represents a smaller area on the ground.