What is the definition of key on a map?

What is the definition of key on a map?

Definition: A key or legend is a list of symbols that appear on the map. For example, a church on the map may appear as a cross, a cross attached to a circle, a cross attached to a square. A church symbol with a square means that the church has a tower, while a circle means the church has a spire.

What is the direction key on a map called?

Compass Rose A small, but important part of each map is the directional reference. Known as a compass or compass rose, its purpose is to distinguish north from south and east from west.

What is a legend and key?

A legend is a caption, a title or brief explanation appended to an article, illustration, cartoon, or poster. A key is an explanatory list of symbols used in a map, table, etc.

What are the four main directions?

North, east, south, and west are the four cardinal directions, often marked by the initials N, E, S, and W. East and west are at right angles to north and south.

Whats a compass called on a map?

compass rose
A compass rose, sometimes called a wind rose, rose of the winds or compass star, is a figure on a compass, map, nautical chart, or monument used to display the orientation of the cardinal directions (north, east, south, and west) and their intermediate points.

What are the 3 components of a map?

The three components of a map are – distance, direction and symbol.

What is the difference between a map key and legend?

These terms are typically used interchangeably, but sometimes a map includes both a key and legend. In these cases, the key contains the list of symbols used on the map, and the legend includes the scale, abbreviations, and compass rose to show the cardinal directions.

What are keys used for?

A key is a device that is used to operate a lock (to lock or unlock it). A typical key is a small piece of metal consisting of two parts: the bit or blade, which slides into the keyway of the lock and distinguishes between different keys, and the bow, which is left protruding so that torque can be applied by the user.

What are the two types of directions?

directions

  • Right and Left.
  • Up and Down.
  • Cardinal Directions. North and South. East and West.
  • Intermediate Directions.

What is a key on a map called?

Map Key Definition A map key is an inset on a map that explains the symbols, provides a scale, and usually identifies the type of map projection used. Technically, the key is part of the map legend. The key explains the symbols while the legend holds the key and other information.

Why do you need a map key?

That’s why you need a map key – and why you need to know how to read a map key. Discover how a map key works and to see examples of symbols you may see in a key. A map key helps a reader understand how to read a map. Typically, it lists symbols that can be found on the map along with what they mean.

What do the symbols on a map mean?

Map keys are often boxes in the corner of the map, and the information they give you is essential to understanding the map. Symbols in the key might be pictures or icons that represent different things on the map. Sometimes the map might by colored or shaded, and the key explains what the colors and shades mean.

What is the difference between a map key and a compass?

Today we use both phrases to mean the same thing, but the map key is technically found in the map legend. The compass on a map is called a compass rose. Its main function is to point north, but it almost always shows the cardinal directions (north, south, east, and west).