The Abstraction of Reality Models are simplifications - not miniature versions of the reality. Maps are a type of geographic model. Maps must be abstraction from reality. Purpose of Cartography Cartography is the art and science of mapmaking.
Communication is the traditional objective.
All information displayed was carefully prepared and selected for a particular map user. Modern GIS and CAM Map Scale Map scale defines the amount of reduction of reality. 2 Representative Fraction Expressed as an ratio in the same units . You can develop verbal expression that may be useful to novice map users. The graphic bar places visual measure of ground distances on the map.