Map Elements

Question 1

List the 9 map elements

Answer 1

• Frame line and neat line
• Mapped area
• Inset
• Title and subtitle
• Legend
• Data source
• Scale
• Orientation
• Other elements

Question 2

Frame line

Answer 2

initial available space that all other map elements will be placed within.
Fist map element placed.
Encloses all map elements.
Is determined by map and page size.
help to organize the map’s contents and to define its extent.
Sometimes the frame line can act as the neat line.
Subtle and neat line.

Question 3

Neat Line

Answer 3

Crop mapped area
Frame line and mapped area dictate the neat line.
help to organize the map’s
contents and to define its extent.
Subtle and neat line.

Question 4

Mapped area

Answer 4

The region of Earth to be mapped.
Consists of thematic symbols that represent the maps theme.
Can include base information = boundaries, transport routes, landmarks and place names.

Question 5

Types of mapped areas

Answer 5

Floating geographic region: - disconnected from neighboring regions. Produces available space for other map elements. But removes the region from geographical context.

Cropped mapped area:
Make the placement of other map elements more
difficult due to a lack of available space.
Represents the region of interest within its geographic context.

Question 6

Mapped area guidlines

Answer 6

Not too close to the frame line.
Leave room for other mpa elements.
Size and position of mapped area is dependant on various elements.
Max size is NB

Question 7

Inset

Answer 7

Smaller map that gives context of the mapped area.
Show primary mapped area in relation to a
larger, more recognizable area.
Can also be used to enlarge congested areas.
Communicate topics related to the map theme.

Question 8

Title

Answer 8

Title = describes the theme of the map. Focus on on the primary content of map. Largest typing and placed at of map.
Reference maps = region
Thematic maps = description of theme

Question 9

Subtitle

Answer 9

Further explain the title
Commonly describes the name of the region and the data collection
date. Should be visibly smaller than the title.

Question 10

Style of title and subtitle

Answer 10

Plain, no italics and ornate fonts. “Map” is not included in title. Use a subtle binding box.

Question 11

Legend

Answer 11

defines all the thematic symbols on a map. Legends for general reference maps, often define all symbols found on the map including those that are self-explanatory.

Question 12

Legend style

Answer 12

Clear and straight forward. Subtle bounding box if needed to mask underlying area. Symbols in legend need to map those on map. Symbols on left/top explianations on right/bottom.
Separate legend for unique categories. Singular. Include legend heading to further explain.

Question 13

Data Source

Answer 13

where the thematic data were obtained

Question 14

Data Source style

Answer 14

plain and subtle
“Data Source:” or “Source:” should be included to avoid ambiguity.
* If the data were obtained from a publication, the
name of the publication should be italicized
* If the data were obtained from a preexisting map,
special methods of citation should be used
Horizontally centered mulitple lines.

Question 15

Scale

Answer 15

measure distances from one place to another, and represents the map distance relative to the actual distance.
Representative fraction
Bar scale
Verbal Scale

Question 16

Bar scale

Answer 16

take note of meausurement units.
Subtle and plain mustn’t attract attention. Meduim sized.

Question 17

Oreintation

Answer 17

the indication of north on a map. Indicated by a north arrow, or through the inclusion of a graticule.
An indication of orientation should be included if the map is not oriented with geographic or “true” north at the top.
Simple and subtle style shouldn’t attract attention, avoid bulky.

Question 18

When to include a North arrow?

Answer 18

• When the shape of the mapped area, together with the page dimensions, require the cartographer to rotate the mapped area
• When a rectangular street grid is oriented to
  magnetic north instead of geographic north

Question 19

Graticule for orientation

Answer 19

• A graticule indicates direction through the orientation of grid lines
• Typically, meridians that run north–south
• The direction of north can be variable, depending on which part of the map is focused on
• Graticule can also provide positional information such as latitude and longitude

Question 20

Map Symbols

Answer 20

Critical on a map. Symbols improve clarity when several features overlap.
Good explanation for symbols can reveal meaningful, interesting and useful information about the geographic features, attributes or a phenomenon represented on a map.