Final answer:
The statement is false because a map scale of 1:24,000 shows more detail and is considered a large scale, while a scale of 1:20,900,000 shows less detail and is considered a small scale.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement in the question is false. In cartography and geography, a map scale reflects the relationship between a distance on the map and the corresponding actual distance on the ground. A scale of 1:24,000 is larger than a scale of 1:20,900,000 because the former implies that one unit of measurement on the map (e.g., an inch or a centimeter) is equivalent to 24,000 of the same units in reality, while the latter means one unit on the map corresponds to 20,900,000 units in reality.
Therefore, a map with a scale of 1:24,000 would show more detail and is considered a large scale, whereas a scale of 1:20,900,000 would show less detail and is therefore a small scale. This concept is often used to calculate actual distances from a scale drawing, such as finding out how far two cities are apart based on a map's scale, or understanding the size of a landmass by comparing it on a scaled map.