Symbols or conventional signs on a Geographical Map

Symbols or conventional signs used on a map are shown in the key at the bottom of the map. These symbols or conventional signs are needed because it is impossible to show many features correctly according to scale for they will be too small to be seen.

Symbols are helpful as they show what the land is like and what man makes use of it as well as the way man lives. However symbols or conventional signs are dependent on each and every map used meaning that a pupil must study the key of every map given

Direction indicator

• It is used to show directions on a map. It can be a small drawing with arrows showing the cardinal points on a compass; north, south, west and east.
• Maps are usually drawn with north at the top of the map.

Grid systems

• A grid is a pattern of lines that cross each other, forming rows from side to side and columns from top to bottom.
• A grid system is used to describe the position of any given point within the grid pattern.
• The starting place for reading the grid reference is called the point of origin and it is important to take note of it.
A scale
• A map scale gives the relationship between distance on a map and distance on the actual ground.

Statement of scale (word scale)

• A statement of scale or word sale uses words to describe the relationship between the units measured on the map and the units measured on the actual ground.
• For example, one centimeter on the map to represent two kilometers on the ground.
• This can be abbreviated as 1 cm represents 2km.

Ratio scale (Representative fraction (R.F. scale)

• This type of scale uses only numbers to describe the relationship between the distance on the ground and that on the map. For example, 1:50,000 or

Line scale

• A line scale is a line drawn below the map that shows the relationship between map distance and ground distance.
• The length of the line matches the distance on the map. The units of measurement that are labeled on the line represent the distance on the ground.

Elevation

• Elevation means the height of a place in landscape.
• Another word with a similar meaning is altitude, which means height above mean or average sea level.

Elevation is a characteristic of relief maps and topographic maps only.