WHAT ARE THE ELEMENTS OF A GEOGRAPHIC MAP? - GEOGRAPHY - 2025

The elements of a geographic map are the title, cardinal point, geographic coordinates, scale, legend, and symbology. Each one of them has a function and gives different information within the maps.

Maps are systems of location and representation of a geographic space or territory. For your understanding they have a series of components that are the basis for their identification and interpretation.

To do this, the maps have a two-dimensional graphic and metric image of a portion of the area to be shown. It shows facts and aspects of the surface, previously selected and drawn on a reduced scale.

That size carries a vertical perspective that corresponds in proportion to the real degree of what is represented. This allows it to be easily transported and understood in a visible plane.

The first maps date from 2,300 BC. They were created by the Babylonians. They consisted of pieces of carved clay that represented 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 we are referring to.

1- Title

It is used to indicate the content of the map. It is essential to understand the cartographic context.

Sometimes the title is not enough and it 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 the map reader to be placed in a real context that they can determine naturally. It also allows you to know the direction of things.

3- Geographical coordinates

They are the imaginary angles or arcs that determine a place exactly within its geographical system. They are important for determining location and position.

These longitude and latitude references are usually given with respect to the real location in relation to the equator and the zero or Greenwich meridian.

The equator is the horizontal line that divides the earth into the northern hemisphere and the southern hemisphere. The tropics and polar circles, which usually determine climatic areas and seasons, are released from this.

While the zero meridian is the starting point for different vertical lines that measure a comparable distance in degrees. Time zones are measured by it.

4- Scale

It corresponds to the relationship that exists between the measurements on the map and the corresponding ones in reality. The scale indicates fidelity to distances.

For this scale to be understood, the number of times that a basic measure, such as a centimeter, indicates a larger measure, such as a kilometer, must be indicated.

5- Legend

It is the one that indicates clearly and concisely what each symbol and measure used within the map represents.

It is used to explain the encrypted elements that do not fit in their extension within the representation in smaller size.

6 - Symbology

For the map to contain a large amount of information that is easy to read, it must have symbols. These are small traces marked with their own meanings.

Some symbols have become conventions. Lines, colored points, geometric shapes, contour lines and highlighted areas are some of the most used.

These can represent rivers, highways, state lines, or borders.

References

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2. Geographic Concepts. IGN & UPM-LatinGEO (Spain). Recovered from ign.es.
3. Elements of a map. Retrieved from items.com.
4. Gomez, V. (2011). Map and its elements. Recovered from vannessagh.blogspot.com.
5. Ochaita, E. and Huertas, JA (2011). Development and learning of spatial knowledge. Recovered from dialnet.unirioja.es.