A summary of the elements of the geographical map, with all their characteristics.
Since the dawn of humanity, man has often looked to the horizon and wondered what lies beyond sight.
We have gone from being nomads and gatherers to gatherers and ranchers and little by little we have become sedentary, but at all times there has remained an interest of humanity in knowing where it is or what is beyond the territory it occupies. And traveling has been a constant for the whole of humanity, depending on it the obtaining of resources, the establishment of trade routes and the formation of civilizations.
In order to allow oneself or others to be able to follow in our footsteps and know what there is or how to reach other territories, throughout history instruments such as maps have been developed, an indispensable element of great value for the human being. But although there are a 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 will talk about the different elements of a map, which allow us to understand 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 on occasion, 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 at scale of a territory or geographical environment, of which the form and particularities are detailed in a simplified way 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 to at least the Ancient Age (although examples of similar instruments are known since the Iron Age).
The basic function of a map is to represent the territory, in such a way that it can serve as a guide to be able to move to specific geological points. However, it is necessary to take into account that there are very different types of maps, some of which have a more specific function.
For example, we can talk about meteorological maps, which pretend to represent the territory in order to analyze the climate that 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 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 map, all of them have in common a series of basic elements that allow their interpretation. These elements are mainly those that follow below.
1. Title
One of the most basic and simple elements of a map, but nevertheless they are one of the easiest to understand what is being seen. The title indicates with words the theme represented, the geographical area or the type of map we are contemplating. For example “meteorological map of Spain” or “political map of Europe”.
2. Scale
A map can represent a territory, but the distances that in it must be able to be interpreted in order to be effective. For this, another of the elements of a map that are most useful 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.
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It is usually represented numerically, indicating the ratio unit of measurement in map / unit of measurement in reality (for example 1/10000).
3. Symbols
Often in maps we may want to represent specific elements of reality that are not part of the orography itself 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 may be a hospital or a pharmacy, or a church depending on the type of cross, or a stone may be indicating a quarry. Likewise, they do not need to be added pictorial elements, but even elements such as a certain color can be used (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, users of a map can know what the author wanted to represent in a simplified way. It is usually indicated in a square on one side, showing the symbol and then its meaning. They can also be in the form of a graph, depending on what you are trying to represent.
5. Wind Rose
Another facilitator that is usually present in most maps is some kind of element that indicates the main cardinal points. This can be done in a corner (usually in one of the upper ones) with the compass rose. However, often only the cardinal points are used, or even only the arrow of the North.
This element of the map helps us to know in which direction the map is looking, facilitating the orientation of those who follow it.
6. Cartographic projections
Although it does not appear on all maps, other elements that can be useful and that appear frequently are cartographic projections, specifically the set of meridians and parallels in which the Earth is usually divided.
These projections allow us to establish coordinates, something very useful in various navigation systems, both analog and digital. This allows anyone to know where a specific element or person is with great accuracy, for example when a plane crash or at sea occurs or a person is lost in a natural park or a mountain range.