The relation of the size of a map to the actual size of its area on the ground expressed as a “representative fraction”. For example 1:1,000,000 means one unit of length on the map represents one million such units on the ground. A scale can also be expressed as a “scale bar” on the map, for example showing the length of a mile or kilometre on the map. The term “large scale” is generally applied to maps at scales larger than 1:25,000 eg. 1:10,000; 1:2,500.