The elements of a map they are the different components that allow this geographic instrument to fulfill its function. A map is a schematic graphical representation of an area on Earth, which can be as large as the planet or as small as a garden..
These graphic representations or schematic drawings have the function of allowing human beings to orient themselves appropriately in the territory. Thus, the map makes it possible to reach each relevant object on the ground or move between them, by tracing their real spatial distribution.
For this to be done efficiently, the map must simplify reality by pointing only to the relevant landmarks. Therefore, a map does not claim to represent all the details, since in this case it could be confusing to navigate..
The map must include all the essential elements for its function and according to its intended use. Among these, a title that informs the area of the Earth that this map represents, as well as at what scale it is made with respect to reality..
In addition, it includes the necessary symbols to represent real objects in a simple way, as well as the legend where it clarifies the meaning of these. Additionally, it must be possible to properly orient the map on the ground and thus know in which direction each thing is and where to move. Let's see each one of them.
Every map must inform what part of the earth's surface it represents, whether it is the whole Earth, a country or a relatively small territory. For this, the map must have a title according to the area it shows.
For example, the name of World Map is given to those maps that represent the entire earth's surface. While a map of a specific country will be titled, for example, Map of Mexico, Map of Colombia, Ecuador, Peru ...
Additionally, the title indicates the aspect of the represented territory, which could be the territorial political division, the vegetation or the relief of the area. For example, a map of Mexico that represents the limits between all the states of the country, their cities and towns, will be titled Political Map of Mexico.
As long as a map that only contemplates the relief and geographical features that exist in the Mexican territory, it will be entitled Physical Map of Mexico. There are also topographic maps that indicate terrain features and human-made objects, such as roads, roads, buildings..
There are also city maps that allow you to move safely or are used by the GPS devices of the vehicles..
On all maps, the names of roads / highways, cities, towns, countries, rivers, lakes, mountains, among other places or geographical accidents, usually appear..
It is not possible to make a map with the real distances and dimensions of the territory to be represented. If so, the map would have to be as large as the territory itself, which is not functional.
Therefore, the maps are much smaller than the territory they represent, but they maintain the same proportions, that is, they are made to scale. This means that if two points are in reality 10 kilometers apart, they can be represented on a map only 1 cm apart..
The map legend should indicate the scale, so that the user can estimate the distances and sizes of the map in reality. In the following example, 1 cm on the map is equivalent to 6 Kilometers on the ground. It can be seen that the scale indicated on the map is 1: 600,000.
The larger the number on the right, the smaller the scale is considered. That is, it is as if we saw the territory from a greater height, with less detail and things look smaller..
Thus, a 1: 50,000 scale is larger than a 1: 100,000 scale and allows more details to be represented. Therefore, depending on the size of the area to be represented on the map, a certain scale will be used..
For example, all of South America cannot be represented on a large scale, such as 1: 10,000. If so, the map would have a lot of detail, with every street and house, requiring a plan the size of Brazil. This is why continent maps are made on a small scale, such as 1: 100,000,000..
On a map you cannot represent everything in a realistic way and for this reason symbols are used to represent the most relevant things. For example, a political map of South America should represent the borders between the countries.
Likewise, it must indicate the capitals, main cities, ports, airports and other series of things of interest. For this, symbols that are graphic objects such as drawings, points and lines are used..
In general, from a geometric point of view there are three types of symbols: point (points), linear (lines) and superficial (areas). These symbols are conventional, that is, there is an international agreement on which graphic element to use to represent each thing..
The legend is an information box that appears on some maps and makes it easier to understand. This information includes the meaning of each symbol used on the map..
For example, it can be indicated that the solid line represents the boundaries between countries, a double circle with a black center represents a country capital, while a smaller circle represents a non-capital city. This is particularly important on thematic maps that generally include many objects..
For example, on a map of the national parks of a country, you can choose to place a number in each place where there is a park. Therefore, the legend of that map will indicate to which national park each number on the map corresponds.
The main function of a map is to guide the user to navigate the real terrain and find the sites or objects they are looking for. Also to plan the use of the territory or locate something that you want to build there.
Let's think of a map where the most relevant elements of the terrain appear that allow us to follow the route to a treasure. In this case, in order to read the map correctly, it must be able to orient it properly.
Thus, it must be possible to establish whether that skull-shaped mountain is north or south of where the person using the map is located. Therefore, it must be possible to know which is the north part of the map and which is the south, in order to orient it with the true north.
For this reason, the maps include a compass rose, which is a figure in the shape of a star with several points where the cardinal points are indicated. Cartographers (people who make maps), orient the maps with the north towards the upper edge of the sheet.
While the south is oriented downwards, the east to the right and the west to the left. In such a way that once the north is located, the person can orient and correctly read the map. For this, the north marked in the compass rose printed on the map must coincide with the north direction on the ground..
It is a plot of vertical and horizontal lines drawn on the map, the former having as a reference point the line that passes through Greenwich (England) and is called meridians. While the horizontal ones have the middle line of the Earth or equator as a reference and are called parallels..
The intersection of the lines allows to locate any point on the Earth, giving the geographic coordinates in degrees, minutes and seconds.
Many maps have explanatory notes to understand something that could be confusing.
Modern maps from applications such as Google Maps allow you to have two ways of viewing them:
Google Maps maps have other elements or options. The most important are:
Yet No Comments