Elements of a Map

1
Elements of a Map

• TALDOGS

2
TITLE

• Every good map has a title so that a person knows
  what he/she is looking at.
• The title should also give a person an idea of
  what information the map conveys.
• EXAMPLE Europe Political

3
Author

• A cartographer should be given credit for making
  a map.
• In class, sketch maps, etc., this would be your
  name.

4
LEGEND

• The legend is also known as the key.
• This is a list that explains the symbols and use
  of color on a map.

5
DATE

• A map should be dated so a user will know if the
  information in that map is relevant to his/her
  purpose.
• Example A map of Europe dated after 1945 would
  not be useful for a lesson on pre-WWI Europe.

6
ORIENTATION

• Orientation means the act or process of being
  aligned to the points of a compass.
• So. . . This is the Compass Rose.
• The Compass Rose may show you
• Cardinal Directions N, S, E, and W
• Intermediate Directions NE, NW, SE,SW
• Secondary Directions ENE, NNE, SES, etc.
• Minimally, a map should show direction North.

7
GRID

• The lines of latitude and longitude that create
  an imaginary grid across our planet that enables
  us to determine absolute location.
• Latitude also called parallels because each
  line is parallel to the Equator. These lines
  measure distances above (North) or below (South)
  of the Equator.
• Longitude also called meridians. These lines
  measure distances East or West of the Prime
  Meridian.

8
SCALE

• This a method by which a relationship is
  established between a unit of length on the map
  and a unit of distance on the Earth.
• There are two types of scale maps
• Large Scale Shows a small area with much more
  detail. Think zoomed in. (Called large scale
  due to the ratio being 1 to 1 mile)
• Small Scale Shows a large area but without much
  detail. Think zoomed out. (Called small scale
  due to the ratio being 1 to 100 miles)