map legends
Chart's decoding guide
A map legend is the key explaining what symbols, colors, and patterns mean on a map.
The legend typically appears in a corner or along an edge, translating visual shorthand into plain information: this dotted line is a hiking trail, this blue polygon is a lake, this icon marks a campsite.
Without the legend, many maps would be unreadable.
Also called simply a legend or map key.
- contour linesLines joining equal elevations
- topographic mapsElevation-depicting terrain representations
- terrain featuresPhysical land characteristics
- pictogramsImages conveying meaning
- interpretationAssigned meaning
color codes · decoding · nautical charts · navigation · land survey · markers · arrows · standardization · road maps · historical maps · iconography · symbology · orientation · compass roses · weather maps · clarity · hatching · shading
- road tripsroad trip, highways, scenic drive, highway, interstate
- cartographymaps, atlas, globes, cartographers, navigation chart
- election mapselectoral college, electoral votes, red states, blue states, swing states
- Malta mapsisland maps, city maps, street maps, tourist maps, regional maps
- geographycontinents, continent, oceans, countries, country
- mapsatlases, street maps, maps, world maps, regional maps