Components (Elements) of a Map
● A map is a representation of a larger portion of the earth, and is a basic tool in
Geography. A map allows us to depict space on a paper.
● All maps must have 4 of the following: Scale, Legend, Compass Rose, and a Title.
Sometimes an In-set map is included as well.
Title
● What the map is about. Streets, Cities, Country,
Schools etc.
LEGEND OR KEY:
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This is an area of the map that tells the reader what symbols mean.
A cross would represent a church or a place of worship.
A blue sign with a large white H represents a hospital.
While roads or highways can be a combination of lines.
The legend can be found in the corner of the map, or on the flip side of the map.
Compass Rose
● cardinal directions directions
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of north (N), south (S), east
(E), and west (W)
compass rose a directional
arrow that shows cardinal and
sometimes intermediate
directions on a map
intermediate directions
directions of northeast (NE),
northwest (NW), southeast
(SE), and southwest (SW)
direction arrow determines
direction, with a true North
Pole at the top of the page
(Bar) Scale
● A scale is representation of a portion of the earth’s surface.
● It tells us a certain distance on the ground objects are away from each other.
● Scales can be in a ratio or fraction. 1:100,000. (1cm on the map equals 100,000cm on
the earth.
● A word statement,
● 1 cm represents 1,000,000km.
Contiguous, Continental, vs. Complete Maps
contiguous sharing an
edge or boundary; touching
Continental all belonging on the same continent
Complete
including all,
excluding none.
Political vs. Physical Map Elements:
● inset map a smaller map set
within the border of a larger
one
● international border a border
between countries
physical map a map that shows natural features,
indicate the forms of landscape, bodies of water,
elevation, and climate.
political map a map that shows human-made features
and boundaries such as cities, highways, and countries
Parallels & Meridians: the Globes
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degrees units of latitude or longitude (° is the
symbol for degrees)
equator an imaginary line that runs around the
center of Earth, halfway between the North and
South Poles at 0° latitude
meridians (lines of longitude) imaginary lines on
Earth that run between the North and South Poles
North Pole the point on Earth located at 90
degrees (90°) north latitude, where the lines of
longitude meet
parallels (lines of latitude) imaginary lines on
Earth that run parallel to the equator
prime meridian an imaginary line that runs from
the North Pole to the South Pole of Earth at 0°
longitude
South Pole the point on Earth located at 90
degrees (90°) south latitude where the lines of
longitude meet
● cartographer mapmaker
● equator an imaginary line that runs
around the center of Earth, halfway
between the North and South Poles at
0° latitude
● hemisphere half of the Earth
● North Pole the point on Earth located
at 90 degrees (90°) north latitude,
where the lines of longitude meet
● prime meridian an imaginary line that
runs from the North Pole to the South
Pole of Earth at 0° longitude
● South Pole the point on Earth located
at 90 degrees (90°) south latitude
where the lines of longitude meet
The 4 Hemispheres
Map Grid & Index
● grid a pattern of lines that
form squares
● index an alphabetical
listing of place names on a
map and the grid squares
in which they are found
Index:
Barcelona
Gerona
Madrid
Malaga
Sevilla
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E6
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geographic grid the
intersecting pattern
formed by the lines of
latitude and longitude
hemisphere half of
the Earth
meridians (lines of
longitude) imaginary
lines on Earth that run
between the North
and South Poles
lines of latitude
(parallels) imaginary
lines on Earth that run
parallel to the equator
projection a system
for mapping the round
Earth on a flat surface
Maps are the basic tool in Geography, and can be interpreted and analyzed in many
different ways. Learning to use maps helps with communication in any language.
● Create a map of any room in your home, using the major components that all
maps must have.
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Title: What room is it? I.e. bedroom, kitchen, den. Etc.
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Direction? Don’t forget the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. Most maps have north at the top
of the page.
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Scale: You will have to do some measuring of the room, and then calculate the difference. Your scale
can be a direct statement, or a ratio (compare cm’s to cm’s)
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The key or legend will be used to tell the reader what objects are in the room. Use appropriate colour or
shade for the objects.
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Map Grid & Index: You will need to put a grid on your map and include an index of at least 5 important
items that are in the room.
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Bonus: In-set Map: include a small simple outline of the whole house/street and where the room you
mapped is located within it.