International Map Series of the World
Also called: International Map of the World, IMW · Topic: Topographical Maps: Relief Representation and Interpretation · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 5 "Topographical Maps"
Meaning
The International Map Series of the World is a set of standard topographical maps for the whole world at 1:1,000,000 and 1:250,000 scales. "Standard" means every country draws its sheets with the same rules for scale, projection, symbols and layout, so the sheets fit together like tiles. Since 1937, the Survey of India's sheets for India follow its specifications. The geographer Albrecht Penck first proposed this world map in 1891.
Example
Survey of India sheet 63 is a 1:1,000,000 sheet that covers a block of 4° × 4°. It includes the Ganga plain around Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. Because it follows the international specifications, it can be matched with sheets from other countries.
Don't confuse with
- India and Adjacent Countries Series: this was the Survey of India's older series for India and its neighbours. It ended after the Delhi Survey Conference of 1937, but India kept its numbering and layout.