The 6 elements of a map, and their characteristics.

A summary of the elements of a geographical map, with all its characteristics.

Since the dawn of mankind, humans have often looked to the horizon and wondered what lies beyond the horizon.

We have gone from being nomads and foragers to gatherers and herders and have gradually become sedentary, but at all times there has remained an interest of mankind in knowing where he is or what lies beyond the territory he occupies. And travel has been a constant for humanity as a whole, depending on it to obtain resources, establish trade routes and form civilizations.

In order to allow oneself or others to be able to follow our steps and to know what is there or how to reach other territories, throughout history instruments such as maps have been developed, an indispensable element of great value for human beings. But although there are a great variety of types of maps, as a general rule all of them require a series of basic components in order to be interpreted. That is why throughout this article we are going to talk about the different elements of a map. we are going to talk about the different elements of a map, which allow us to understand and interpret them.which allow us to understand them and guide us through them.

What is a map?

Before talking about the different parts or main elements of a map, and despite the fact that most people have used them at some time, it is convenient to make a brief description of what a map is and what its function is.

A map is a representation at a graphic level and to scale of a territory or geographical environment.A map is a graphical representation of a territory or geographical environment, whose shape and particularities are detailed in a simplified form in order to serve as a navigation system and/or to know the basic characteristics and limits of the terrain represented. It is a fundamental instrument in the discipline known as cartography, and its invention dates back at least to the Ancient Age (although examples of similar instruments are known from the Iron Age).

The basic function of a map is to represent the territory, in such a way that it can be used as a guide to move to specific geological points. However, it is necessary to take into account that there are many different types of maps, some of which have a moresome of which have a more specific function.

For example, we can talk about meteorological maps, which are intended to represent the territory in order to analyze the weather there is or will be in a certain place (regardless of whether you want to travel there or not), while others serve to locate specific points from which to obtain resources or even to represent where certain phenomena occurred. In addition, it should also be mentioned that maps represent not only natural geographical elements, but also political ones: they can mark the borders between countries, communities or regions that are differentiated from each other regardless of whether there is a geological element that divides them or not.

Main elements of a map

Although there are different types of maps, all of them have in common a series of basic elements that allow their interpretation. These elements are mainly the following.

1. Title

One of the most basic and simple elements of a map, but nevertheless one of those that make it easier to understand what is being seen. The title indicates in words the subject matter represented, the geographical area or the type of map we are looking at.. For example "meteorological map of Spain" or "political map of Europe".

2. Scale

A map can represent a territory, but the distances on it must be interpreted so that they can be effective. For it, another of the elements of a map that are of more utility to us is the scale in which it is drawn. In this way, we can know if two centimeters on the map represent two kilometers or twenty-four in reality, for example.

It is usually represented numericallyindicating the ratio unit of measurement on the map/unit of measurement in reality (for example 1/10000).

3. Symbols

Often in the maps we can want to represent concrete elements of the reality that are not part of the orography itself but are of interest to us or that are but that are of interest to us or that are even the basis of what we want to show. In order to represent them we can use different types of symbols.

For example a cross can be a hospital or a pharmacy, or a church depending on the type of cross, or a stone can be indicating a quarry. It is also not necessary to add pictorial elements, but can even use elements such as a certain color (for example to symbolize that there is more or less temperature or the parts of a territory with more or less resources).

4. Legend

Another of the fundamental elements for the interpretation of a map is the legend, which allows us to specify the meaning of the different symbols that we have used to represent specific elements..

Thanks to the legends, the users of a map can know what the author wanted to represent in a simplified form. They are usually indicated in a square on one side, showing the symbol and then its meaning. They can also take the form of a graph, depending on what they are intended to represent.

5. Compass Rose

Another facilitator that is usually present in most maps is some kind of element indicating the main cardinal points of the map. indicating the main cardinal points. This can be done in a corner (usually in one of the upper corners) with the compass rose. However, often only the cardinal points are used, or even just the North arrow.

This element of the map helps us to know in which direction we are looking at the map, facilitating the orientation of those who follow it.

6. Cartographic projections

Although it does not appear in all the maps, other elements that can be useful and that appear frequently are the cartographic projections, concretely the set of meridians and parallels into which the Earth is usually divided..

These projections allow us to establish coordinates, something of great utility in diverse systems of navigation both analogical and digital. This makes it possible for anyone to know where a particular item or person is with great accuracy, e.g. when there is a plane crash or an accident at sea or a person is lost in a natural park or mountain range. with great accuracy, for example when there is an accident in an airplane or at sea or a person is lost in a natural park or a mountain range.

Bibliographic references:

• Cosgrove D. E. (ed.) (1999). Mappings. London: Reaktion Books.
• O'Connor, J.J. and E.F. Robertson (2002).The History of Cartography. St. Andrews: St. Andrews University.