map symbols
Chart's visual shorthand
Map symbols are standardized icons, shapes, colors, and patterns used on maps to represent features of the physical or human landscape.
A blue line typically indicates water, a dotted line a trail, a small tent icon a campground.
Learning to read map symbols is essential for navigation: The legend explains what each map symbol means.
Different mapping traditions use different conventions.
- contour linesLines joining equal elevations
- color codesStandardized hue-based identifiers
- compass roseCartographic direction indicator
- scale barMap distance indicator
- legendUnverified traditional tale
elevation · trailhead · trail marker · national park · topography · waypoint · you are here · boundary markers · hatching · isobars · wetland · latitude · pictograph · symbology · longitude · cardinal directions · dotted lines · road
- Map Termslatitude, longitude, equator, meridian, prime meridian
- visual symbolspictograms, pictographs, symbols, glyphs, ideograms
- cartographymaps, atlas, globes, cartographers, navigation chart
- mapmakingcartographer, mapmaker, compass rose, topographer, surveyor
- 20th century world mapsatlas, globe, world atlas, compass rose, latitude
- notationsmusical notation, mathematical notation, decimal notation, scientific notation, dance notation
map symbolsphysical geography
Study of natural landforms
ground truth · physical reality · natural features · built environment
map symbolsdirect observation
Watching something personally occur
field observation · physical presence · being there · sensory experience