How To Read a Map

Being a fundamental tool of geography that help us in portraying phenomenon on paper, there are many rules involved in reading map efficiently. A good map posses a key or legend that allows users in identifying with different symbols.

For example, schools are represented by a square with a flag on the top, while roads can be represented using different combinations of lines and width. However, the map symbols can be differing from place to place, like the difference seen in the map symbols of US with others. The symbol that represents railroads in Switzerland is equivalent to the secondary highway represented by USGS Topographic map. Thus, if you can understand the symbols, you can read some of the legends of a map.

Since every map represents a larger portion of the earth, you need to know about the scale for determining the distance on earth provided in the map. The North arrow represented in a map determines the orientation of map without which you can determine the direction. Topographic map help you to determine directions by providing north arrow that points to the true north and to the magnetic north. Therefore more than just a compass rose, a good map should contain arrow that provide orientation.

A good map should also contain a neatline border so as to define the edges of the map area that looks very net. All map are inherently inaccurate due to the limitation of being able to be represented in flat surface. With different projections available in the map, you can use them to obtain accurate mapping. The perfect title given to the map is also very important to read the correct message given though the map, like a map titled "Unemployment in Jefferson County" versus "Topography of Mount St. Helens."

The various color representations on the map are also important clues for reading them accurately like mountains represented by brown color, rivers represented by blue colors and so on. Cartographers also use a number of color schemes for identification just like map colors. Map users can look out on the legend for more explanation on the map. Since map representation using color schemes can create problem when used for elevation, you should have a detailed study of the matter