What is the square kilometre, and what does its symbol represent?

The square kilometre, also spelled square kilometer in American English, is a unit of area that is a multiple of the square metre, which is the SI unit of area. Its symbol is km².

To which unit system does the square kilometre belong?

The square kilometre belongs to the SI (International System of Units) unit system. The SI system is the modern form of the metric system and is the most widely used system of measurement for scientific and technical purposes.

How many square metres are equivalent to one square kilometre?

One square kilometre is equal to 1,000,000 square metres (m²). This means a square kilometre represents a substantial area, equivalent to a square with sides of 1,000 metres each.

How many hectares are in one square kilometre?

One square kilometre is equal to 100 hectares (ha). A hectare is a common unit of area, often used for land measurement, especially in agriculture and forestry, and is equivalent to 10,000 square metres.

What is the approximate equivalent of one square kilometre in square miles?

One square kilometre is approximately equal to 0.3861 square miles. It is noted that there are slight differences between international square miles and US Survey square miles, leading to minor variations in conversion.

How many acres are approximately equivalent to one square kilometre?

One square kilometre is approximately equal to 247.1 acres. Similar to square miles, there are slight variations between international acres and US Survey acres due to differing definitions of the foot.

What is the conversion of one square metre to square kilometres?

One square metre (m²) is equal to 0.000001 (or 10⁻⁶) square kilometres. This highlights how much larger a square kilometre is compared to a single square metre.

How many square kilometres are equivalent to one hectare?

One hectare is equal to 0.01 (or 10⁻²) square kilometres. This means a hectare represents one-hundredth of a square kilometre.

What is the conversion of one square mile to square kilometres?

One international square mile equals approximately 2.58998811 square kilometres, while the slightly larger US Survey square mile equals approximately 2.58999847 square kilometres. This distinction is important for precise measurements.

What is the approximate conversion of one acre to square kilometres?

One international acre is approximately 0.004046856 square kilometres, while one US Survey acre is approximately 0.004046873 square kilometres. These values reflect the minor differences in the definitions of an acre.

How should the symbol 'km²' be interpreted to avoid confusion with 'k(m²)'?

The symbol 'km²' means (km)², which correctly signifies a square kilometre, and not k(m²), which would incorrectly mean kilo-square metre. For example, 3 km² is equal to 3 × (1,000 m)², resulting in 3,000,000 m², not 3,000 m². This clarifies that the 'kilo' prefix applies to the linear unit before it is squared.

What does the image caption for 'Comparison of units of area.png' illustrate?

The source material references an image illustrating the comparison of various units of area, specifically highlighting the square kilometre (depicted as a red square) in relation to other areas, including a square mile (represented by the entire yellow square). This visual aid helps to contextualize the size of a square kilometre.

How are topographical map grids typically structured in relation to the square kilometre?

Topographical map grids are typically worked out in metres, with grid lines spaced 1,000 metres apart. This arrangement means that each square formed by these grid lines on the map represents an area of one square kilometre on the Earth's surface.

How do 1:100,000 scale maps represent one square kilometre?

On 1:100,000 scale maps, squares representing one square kilometre on the Earth's surface appear as one square centimetre in area on the map. This scale means that one unit on the map corresponds to 100,000 units in reality.

How do 1:50,000 scale maps represent one square kilometre?

For 1:50,000 scale maps, the grid lines are 2 cm apart. Consequently, each square on the map measures 2 cm by 2 cm (4 cm²) and represents one square kilometre on the Earth's surface. This higher scale provides more detail than a 1:100,000 map.

How do 1:25,000 scale maps represent one square kilometre?

On 1:25,000 scale maps, the grid lines are 4 cm apart. This means each square on the map measures 4 cm by 4 cm (16 cm²) and represents one square kilometre on the Earth's surface. This is the most detailed scale mentioned for representing a square kilometre on a topographical map.

What information does the caption for the 'Caldey Island map 1952.jpg' provide about topographical maps?

The caption for the 1952 Ordnance Survey map of Caldey Island explains that the grid lines are set at one-kilometre intervals, making each square on the map represent an area of one square kilometre. It also notes that the island's total area is approximately two square kilometres, demonstrating how these grids are used to estimate land size.

What common characteristic did many European medieval cities share regarding their enclosed area?

Many European medieval cities had an area enclosed by their walls that was approximately one square kilometre. These historical city walls, or the routes they once followed, are often still clearly visible today.

Which European cities are mentioned as examples where the original wall routes are still visible, even if replaced?

Brussels, where the wall has been replaced by a ring road, and Frankfurt, where the wall has been replaced by gardens, are examples of European cities where the routes of medieval walls are still clearly visible, indicating their historical boundaries.

How can the approximate area of old walled cities be determined?

The approximate area of old walled cities can often be determined by fitting the course of their walls to a simple geometric shape, such as a rectangle or an oval (ellipse), and then calculating the area of that shape.

What does the caption for the 'Dimensions of the old city of Delft.svg' map indicate?

The caption for the 1659 map of Delft, Netherlands, states that the city's walls enclosed an area of approximately one square kilometre, providing a historical example of urban planning on that scale.

What were the approximate dimensions and calculated area of the walled city of Delft, Netherlands?

The walled city of Delft was approximately rectangular, with an approximate length of 1.30 kilometres (0.81 miles) and a width of 0.75 kilometres (0.47 miles). A perfect rectangle with these measurements would have an area of 0.9 km².

What were the approximate dimensions and calculated area of the medieval city of Lucca, Italy?

The medieval city of Lucca was roughly rectangular with rounded north-east and north-west corners. Its maximum east-to-west distance was 1.36 kilometres (0.85 miles), and its maximum north-to-south distance was 0.80 kilometres (0.50 miles). A perfect rectangle of these dimensions would have an area of 1.088 km².

What were the approximate dimensions and calculated area of the medieval city of Bruges, Belgium?

The medieval city of Bruges, a major centre in Flanders, was roughly oval or elliptical in shape, with its longer or semi-major axis running north and south. Its maximum north-to-south distance was 2.53 kilometres (1.57 miles), and its maximum east-to-west distance was 1.81 kilometres (1.12 miles). A perfect ellipse of these dimensions would have an area of approximately 3.597 km².

Which English city is mentioned as having a near-intact city wall, and what are its approximate dimensions and calculated area?

Chester, United Kingdom, is mentioned as one of the smaller English cities that has a near-intact city wall. The distance from Northgate to Watergate is about 855 metres, and from Eastgate to Westgate is about 589 metres. A perfect rectangle of these dimensions would have an area of approximately 0.504 km².

Can parks be found with an area of approximately one square kilometre?

Yes, parks come in all sizes, and a few are almost exactly one square kilometre in area, serving as practical examples of this measurement.

Name some examples of parks in the UK that are approximately one square kilometre in area.

Riverside Country Park and Brierley Forest Park are examples of parks located in the United Kingdom that are approximately one square kilometre in area.

Name some examples of parks in the US that are approximately one square kilometre in area.

Rio de Los Angeles State Park in California, Jones County Central Park in Iowa, and Kiest Park in Dallas, Texas, are examples of parks in the United States that are approximately one square kilometre in area.

Which Canadian parks are mentioned as being around one square kilometre?

Hole-in-the-Wall Park & Campground on Grand Manan Island, Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick, and Downing Provincial Park in British Columbia, Canada, are mentioned as being around one square kilometre in area.

Is there a park in Poland mentioned with an area of about one square kilometre?

Yes, Citadel Park in Poznan, Poland, is mentioned as being approximately one square kilometre in area, offering a significant green space within the city.

What specific area of Sydney Olympic Park is highlighted in the text?

Sydney Olympic Park in Sydney, Australia, contains a significant area of 6.63 square kilometres dedicated to wetlands and waterways, indicating its ecological importance.

According to golf course architects Crafter and Mogford, what area is typically needed for an 18-hole golf course?

According to figures published by golf course architects Crafter and Mogford, an 18-hole course, assuming a 6,000-metre (6,600 yd) length with a fairway width of 120 metres and 40 metres clear beyond the hole, requires an allocated area of 80 hectares (0.8 square kilometre) for the course itself.

How is the 80-hectare area for a golf course calculated based on the provided figures?

The calculation for the 80-hectare area assumes that each hole requires a length of (6000 ÷ 18 + 40) = 373 metres. Therefore, the total area needed is (18 holes × 373 metres/hole × 120 metres fairway width ÷ 10,000 square metres/hectare), which equals 80.64 hectares, rounded to approximately 80 hectares or 0.8 square kilometres.

What is the approximate area of the Old City of Jerusalem?

The Old City of Jerusalem is almost 1 square kilometre in area, specifically noted as being about 89 hectares. This historical site is a significant example of an area close to one square kilometre.

Name some industrial or science parks mentioned as being around one square kilometre.

Milton Science Park in Oxfordshire, UK, and Mielec Industrial Park in Mielec, Poland, are mentioned as being industrial or science parks with an area of approximately one square kilometre.

Which educational institution's campus is noted for being approximately one square kilometre?

The Guildford Campus of Guildford Grammar School, located in South Guildford, Western Australia, is noted for having an area of approximately one square kilometre.

Which national institute of technology in India has a campus of about one square kilometre?

Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology (SVNIT) in Surat, India, has a campus that is approximately one square kilometre in area.

Name some islands mentioned that are approximately one square kilometre in area.

Île aux Cerfs, near the east coast of Mauritius, and Peng Chau Island, Hong Kong, are mentioned as islands that are approximately one square kilometre in area.

What is the Square Kilometre Array, and what is its intended collecting area?

The Square Kilometre Array is a proposed radio telescope, planned to be located in both South Africa and Australia, which is intended to have a collecting area of approximately 1 km². This ambitious project aims to significantly advance radio astronomy.

What is the difference in size between an international square mile and a US Survey square mile when converted to square kilometres?

An international square mile equals 2.58998811 km², while a US Survey square mile is slightly larger, equaling 2.58999847 km². This minor difference stems from the distinct definitions of the foot used in international and US Survey measurements.

What is the difference in size between an international acre and a US Survey acre when converted to square kilometres?

One international acre is 0.004046856 km², whereas one US Survey acre is slightly larger, measuring 0.004046873 km². These precise conversions highlight the subtle variations between international and US customary units.

Square Kilometre Wiki: The Kilometre Squared: A Deep Dive into Area Measurement

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

When you are ready...
🎮 Play the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge Game🎮

Defining the Unit

SI Unit of Area

The square kilometre (symbol: km²), often spelled square kilometer in American English, represents a fundamental unit of area within the International System of Units (SI). It is precisely defined as a multiple of the square metre (m²), which is the base SI unit for area. Conceptually, a square kilometre is the area of a square with sides one kilometre in length.

Understanding the Notation

It is crucial for precise scientific and technical communication to correctly interpret the notation "km²". This symbol signifies (km)², meaning "square kilometre," which is equivalent to (1,000 metres)². It does not denote k(m²), which would imply "kilo-square metre" or 1,000 square metres. For instance, an area of 3 km² is correctly understood as 3 × (1,000 m)², resulting in 3,000,000 m², not merely 3,000 m².

Unit Conversions

Metric System Equivalents

Within the metric system, the square kilometre has direct and precise conversions to other common area units. These relationships are essential for calculations and comparisons across various scales of measurement.

One square kilometre is equivalent to:

1,000,000 square metres (m²)
100 hectares (ha)

Conversely, smaller metric units can be expressed in square kilometres:

1 m² = 0.000001 (10⁻⁶) km²
1 hectare = 0.01 (10⁻²) km²

Imperial and US Customary Equivalents

For international contexts and historical comparisons, it is often necessary to convert square kilometres to Imperial or US customary units. These conversions are approximate due to slight differences in the definitions of "international" versus "US Survey" miles and acres.

One square kilometre is approximately equal to:

0.3861 square miles (sq mi)
247.1 acres

Conversely, Imperial and US customary units can be expressed in square kilometres:

1 square mile = approximately 2.5899 km²
1 acre = approximately 0.004047 km²

It is noteworthy that there are subtle distinctions: an international square mile equals 2.58998811 km², while a US Survey square mile equals 2.58999847 km². Similarly, international acres and US Survey acres have slightly different values when converted to square kilometres.

Real-World Applications

Topographical Map Grids

The square kilometre serves as a fundamental unit in topographical mapping, providing a standardized grid for geographical representation. Grid lines on these maps are typically spaced at 1,000-metre intervals, delineating squares that each represent precisely one square kilometre on the Earth's surface.

The physical representation of a 1 km² area on a map varies with the map's scale:

1:100,000 maps: Each square representing 1 km² on the ground measures one square centimetre (1 cm x 1 cm) on the map.
1:50,000 maps: Each square representing 1 km² on the ground measures 2 cm by 2 cm (4 cm²) on the map.
1:25,000 maps: Each square representing 1 km² on the ground measures 4 cm by 4 cm (16 cm²) on the map.

In each scenario, the grid lines consistently enclose an area of one square kilometre, demonstrating the unit's utility in cartography.

Medieval City Centers

Historically, the walled perimeters of many European medieval cities often encompassed areas approximating one square kilometre. These historical boundaries, whether still standing or traceable through modern infrastructure like ring roads or gardens, offer tangible examples of this unit of area.

Examples of medieval cities with approximate areas around one square kilometre include:

Delft, Netherlands: The walled city was roughly rectangular, with an approximate length of 1.30 km and a width of 0.75 km. This yields an area of approximately 0.9 km².
Lucca, Italy: This medieval city is also roughly rectangular with rounded corners. Its maximum east-west distance is 1.36 km, and its maximum north-south distance is 0.80 km, suggesting an area of about 1.09 km² for a perfect rectangle.
Bruges, Belgium: The medieval city of Bruges, a significant center in Flanders, was approximately oval or elliptical. With a maximum north-south distance of 2.53 km and an east-west distance of 1.81 km, a perfect ellipse of these dimensions would cover about 3.6 km².
Chester, United Kingdom: As one of the smaller English cities with a largely intact city wall, Chester's core measures approximately 855 meters from Northgate to Watergate and 589 meters from Eastgate to Westgate. This results in an approximate area of 0.504 km².

Parks and Green Spaces

Numerous parks and recreational areas globally are designed or naturally occur with areas closely approximating one square kilometre, providing accessible examples of this scale of measurement in natural and urban landscapes.

Notable parks with areas around one square kilometre include:

Riverside Country Park, UK
Brierley Forest Park, UK
Rio de Los Angeles State Park, California, US
Jones County Central Park, Iowa, US
Kiest Park, Dallas, Texas, US
Hole-in-the-Wall Park & Campground, Grand Manan Island, New Brunswick, Canada
Downing Provincial Park, British Columbia, Canada
Citadel Park, Poznan, Poland

It is also worth noting that Sydney Olympic Park in Australia contains 6.63 square kilometres of wetlands and waterways, illustrating larger-scale applications.

Golf Courses

The design and allocation of land for golf courses often involve areas that are conveniently expressed in square kilometres or fractions thereof. An 18-hole golf course, considering fairway widths and clearances, typically requires a substantial land area.

According to figures from golf course architects, an 18-hole course with a typical length of 6,000 metres (approximately 6,600 yards), a fairway width of 120 metres, and an additional 40 metres clear beyond each hole, would necessitate an area of approximately 80 hectares (0.8 square kilometres) for the course itself.

Examples of golf courses that are approximately one square kilometre in total area include:

Manchester Golf Club, UK
Northop Country Park, Wales, UK
The Trophy Club, Lebanon, Indiana, US
Qingdao International Country Golf Course, Qingdao, Shandong, China
Arabian Ranches Golf Club, Dubai
Sharm el Sheikh Golf Courses, Sharm el Sheikh, South Sinai, Egypt
Belmont Golf Club, Lake Macquarie, NSW, Australia

Diverse Geographic Footprints

Beyond traditional urban and recreational spaces, the square kilometre is a practical unit for describing the extent of various other geographical and infrastructural entities, from historical sites to modern industrial parks and academic campuses.

Additional examples of areas approximating one square kilometre include:

The Old City of Jerusalem, which is almost 1 square kilometre (approximately 89 hectares).
Milton Science Park, Oxfordshire, UK.
Mielec Industrial Park, Mielec, Poland.
The Guildford Campus of Guildford Grammar School, South Guildford, Western Australia.
Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology (SVNIT), Surat, India.
Île aux Cerfs, near the east coast of Mauritius.
Peng Chau Island, Hong Kong.

The proposed Square Kilometre Array (SKA) radio telescope, intended to have a collecting area of approximately 1 km², represents a cutting-edge scientific application of this unit of measurement on a grand scale.

Teacher's Corner

Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio

Edit and Print Materials from this study in the wiki2web studio

Click here to open the "Square Kilometre" Wiki2Web Studio curriculum kit

Use the free Wiki2web Studio to generate printable flashcards, worksheets, exams, and export your materials as a web page or an interactive game.

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Are you ready for the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge?

Learn about square_kilometre while playing the wiki2web Clarity Challenge game.

Unlock the mystery image and prove your knowledge by earning trophies. This simple game is addictively fun and is a great way to learn!

Play now

Explore More Topics

Discover other topics to study!

hexagonal crystal family

frankish language

eddie slovik

discipline instrument of penance

asa mader

romanians in hungary

guillaume raoux

repeated sequence dna

new book of tang

shueisha

References

Assume that each hole requires (6000Ã·18 + 40) = 373 metres in length. The area needed is (18 Ã 373 Ã 120 Ã· 10,000) = 80.64 ha (1 hectare = 10,000 square metres).

A full list of references for this article are available at the Square kilometre Wikipedia page

Feedback & Support

To report an issue with this page, or to find out ways to support the mission, please click here.

Disclaimer

Important Notice

This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.

This is not a definitive guide for precise measurement or engineering. While the information presented aims for clarity and accuracy based on the provided source, it should not be used as a substitute for professional surveying, cartography, or engineering calculations. Always consult official standards, documentation, and qualified professionals for applications requiring high precision in area measurement.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.

The Kilometre Squared

💡 Dive in with Flashcard Learning! 💡

Defining the Unit 📐

🌐 SI Unit of Area

🔢 Understanding the Notation

Unit Conversions 🔄

↔️ Metric System Equivalents

🌍 Imperial and US Customary Equivalents

Real-World Applications 🗺️

📏 Topographical Map Grids

🏰 Medieval City Centers

🌳 Parks and Green Spaces

⛳ Golf Courses

✨ Diverse Geographic Footprints

Teacher's Corner 🧑‍🏫

Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio

True or False? 🤔

❓ Test Your Knowledge! ❓

Gamer's Corner 🎮

Are you ready for the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge?

Explore More Topics

📜 Discover other topics to study!

References

📜 References

Feedback & Support 👍

To report an issue with this page, or to find out ways to support the mission, please click here.

Disclaimer ⚠️

📜 Important Notice

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

Defining the Unit

SI Unit of Area

Understanding the Notation

Unit Conversions

Metric System Equivalents

Imperial and US Customary Equivalents

Real-World Applications

Topographical Map Grids

Medieval City Centers

Parks and Green Spaces

Golf Courses

Diverse Geographic Footprints

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice