We cannot easily visualize a value such as 24,000 inches, so maps usually not only show the scale ratio but convert the ratio to units of measurement. When choosing a map, consider whether a small scale or large scale suits your purposes better. A large-scale map shows a small land area in great detail. A small-scale map shows less detail, but a larger land area. For instance, a USA national map is a much smaller-scale map than a map showing the details of a specific county or zip code.
Interactive maps allow users to choose and adjust the scale based on the area of display selected.
Learn more about map scales from US Geological Survey .