The five elements of a map

Title

• The name of the map

• Explains what the map is about

Legend/Key

• Describes the symbols on a map

• Helps you interpret the map
• Helps avoid confusion about what is on the
• map

Scale

• Something that shows the measurements that are specific to that map
• Helps us understand how far places are Helps understand the size of objects on a map

Compass

• The tool to help us know where to go: North, East, South, West
• Helps us pinpoint a certain location, shows what was in a location
• If you don’t know where you’re going, the compass on the map helps you

Points of Reference

• The actual drawing of the map

• Examples: streets, political lines, boundaries, borders, water bodies