The Elements of a geographical map Are title, the cardinal point, the geographical coordinates, the scale, the legend and the symbology.
Maps are systems of location and representation of a geographic space or territory. For your understanding t Have a series of components that are basis for their identification and interpretation.
For this, the maps have a graphic and metric image in two dimensions of a portion of the area to be displayed.
It shows facts and aspects of the surface, previously selected and plotted on a reduced scale.
That size carries a vertical perspective corresponding in proportion to the actual degree of what is represented.
This allows it to be easily transported and understood in a visible plane.
The first maps date back to the 2,300 BC years. They were created by the Babylonians. They consisted of pieces of carved clay representing the measurements of the earth.
Elements of a geographic map
Every map must have a series of essential elements to be understood and analyzed.
But, in addition to the more classic elements there are several components depending on the type of map to which we refer.
1- Title
Indicates the contents of the map. It is fundamental to understand the cartographic context.
Sometimes the title is not enough and is accompanied by a more complex graphic element such as a cover.
2- The cardinal point
To allow orientation it must contain the cardinal points: North, South, East and West.
These allow to locate the map reader in a real context that can determine naturally. It also lets you know the direction of things.
3- Geographical coordinates
They are the imaginary angles or arcs that determine a place exactly within your geographical system. They are important in determining location and position.
These references of length and latitude are often given with respect to the actual location in relation to the equator and the zero meridian or Greenwich.
The equator is the horizontal line that divides the earth into the northern hemisphere and the southern hemisphere. From this the tropics and the polar circles, which usually determine climatic areas and seasons, are spent.
While the zero meridian is the starting point for different vertical lines that measure in degrees a comparable distance. By it time zones are measured.
4- Scale
It corresponds to the relationship between the measurements of the map and the corresponding ones in reality. The scale indicates fidelity to distances.
In order for this scale to be understood, the number of times a basic measurement, such as one centimeter, indicates a measurement greater than one kilometer, must be indicated.
5- Legend
It is the one that clearly and concisely indicates what each symbol and measure used within the map represents.
It serves to explain the encrypted elements that do not fit in their extension within the representation in smaller size.
6 - Symbology
In order for the map to contain a large amount of easily readable information, it must have symbols. These are small traces marked with their own meanings.
Some symbols have become conventions.
Lines, colored dots, geometric shapes, contours and highlighted areas are some of the most used.
These can represent rivers, roads, state boundaries or borders.
References
- Catling, S. (1978). Cognitive mapping and children. Bulletin of environmental education. 91, 18; 22.
- Geographic Concepts. IGN & UPM-LatinGEO (Spain). Recovered from ign.es.
- Elements of a map. Retrieved from elementsde.com.
- Gomez, V. (2011). Map and its elements. Retrieved from vannessagh.blogspot.com.
- Ochaita, E. and Huertas, J.A. (2011). Development and learning of spatial knowledge. Recovered from dialnet.unirioja.es.