Elements of a Map Workshop

A. Title

The title on a map gives you
information on what type of
map it is, where it is, and why
it might be useful.

India Rivers and Lakes Map

B. Compass Rose

A Compass Rose shows the
cardinal directions (the four
main directions) on a map.

1. North (N)
2. East (E)
3. South (S)
4. West (W)

The intermediate directions
are the directions in between
two cardinal directions

Compass Rose

A compass rose is useful
because it allows the person reading a map to know which direction the map faces (North
should point up every time!).

C. Key/Legend

A Key (also known as a
Legend) tells you how to read
a map.

It uses colors, symbols, or
types of lines to show
different types of information.

Let’s practice with some
different Keys & Legends!

D. Longitude

Imaginary lines that measure
distances east and west of the
prime meridian are called
longitude lines.

They are measured in degrees.

These lines are also called
Meridians.

E. Latitude

Imaginary lines that measure distances north
and south of the Equator are latitude lines.

These are measured in degrees.

They are all parallel lines, so they are called
parallels.

F. Scale

A scale on a map is used to
show how small or large the
area on the map is.

If you take a ruler and put it
next to the scale, how long the
scale is on the map represents
a greater distance on the
ground.

F. Scale

Using the scale and ruler to
the left, when the zeros are
lined up, the end of the scale
is at 4 ½ cm

This means that every 4 ½ cm
on the map is equal to 5 miles
or 8 km in real life.

1. Political Map

Shows boundaries of
states, countries,
territories and cities

2. Physical Map

Shows physical features of the
earth and elevation.

Features include mountains,
plains, and so on.

3. Thematic Map

Has a specific topic, or theme,
such as population density or
climate.