Almost every map has a scale. And once you know and understand a map's scale, you can evaluate its detail and accuracy. On a paper map, scale is a simple idea.
Cartographers often divide scales into three different categories.
They are used in applications where detailed local maps are required. When you know a map's scale, you can estimate its likely contents. Scale in Digital Maps With digital maps, the traditional concept of scale in terms of distance does not apply because digital maps do not remain fixed in size. They can be displayed or plotted at any possible magnification. Yet we still speak of the scale of a digital map.