What Is a Map?
A map is a symbolic representation of selected characteristics of specific areas on the Earth’s surface, illustrated on a flat surface to provide information in a clear and visual manner. It conveys details such as the sizes, shapes, and locations of landmarks, the distances between places, as well as the distribution of elements above ground, including settlement patterns and the precise locations of homes and streets within urban neighborhoods. Maps are created by individuals known as “cartographers,” who design them for various purposes, all of which share fundamental components such as scale, symbols, and grids.
Essential Components of a Map
For a map to effectively convey details, it must include several essential elements that facilitate understanding for individuals from various backgrounds. The most important of these components include:
Map Title
The map title is a key phrase that provides a concise description of the map’s subject, serving as the first element that captures the reader’s attention. It answers key questions such as “What?”, “Where?”, and “When?”. Depending on the intended audience, titles can be short for those familiar with the subject or longer to include additional details. The length of the title is selected based on the target demographic.
Direction
The “compass rose” symbol indicates directions on the map, allowing readers to relate these directions to the real world. Often, only the north direction is displayed, which helps users determine east, west, and south correspondingly.
Legend
The legend, or map key, is one of the crucial elements of a map. It offers a detailed explanation of the map’s symbols within the data framework, such as color schemes, icons, categories, or unfamiliar and less frequently used elements. Without a legend, the color-coding system on the map would lack meaning for the reader.
North Arrow
The north arrow indicates the orientation of the map concerning the predetermined direction of north. It maintains the connection to the data framework even if the frame is rotated. Various features such as style, size, color, and angle characterize the north arrow, typically aligning it with the top of the page on most maps.
Map Scale
The map scale clarifies the relationship between measurements on the map and their corresponding real-world dimensions, describing this relationship using ratios. The scale may appear as a unit-to-unit comparison, as one measurement to another, or it may not be present at all for maps that aren’t to scale, in which case a “N.T.S” symbol (not to scale) is used. The scale can be represented in various forms on the map, including verbal, numerical, or graphic representations, especially when utilizing computer systems.
Map Citation
The map citation comprises the metadata that describes the map itself, containing explanatory data about the sources used, the currency of the data, projection information, any disclaimers, and the date of the data source. This component aids the reader in identifying how to use the map for specific purposes.
Labels
Labels are words used to identify and highlight the location of specific elements on the map, such as naming streets, rivers, and institutions. They can also represent singular items when only one instance of a particular item exists, eliminating the need for a special symbol to avoid repetition on the map.
Grid and Index
Although not fundamental components of every map, grids and indexes are useful for locating specific sites and are commonly found in atlases and road maps. The grid consists of a series of horizontal and vertical lines that span across the map. The index helps map readers find specific locations by following numbers and letters on this grid, typically arranged alphabetically, making it easier to search for a place name using the coordinates (e.g., A2, B3, etc.) next to the site’s location on the map.