Map Symbols Overview
Symbols represent features on maps. They allow cartographers to illustrate destinations, boundaries, and attributes like elevation across regions. Map symbols are defined in the map legend. They can be fonts, icons, and image files. Symbols can be styled using color, size, and other techniques.
Types of Map Symbols
An isopleth map uses contour lines to connect points of the same value to represent surface elevation. There are three main types of map symbols: Point Symbols for buildings and trig points; Line Symbols for roads and telephone lines; and Area Symbols for places like ponds and orchards.
Topographic Map Symbols
Topographic maps use point, line, and polygon symbols to represent natural and human-made features. Lakes, streams, and ditches are shown in blue. Land grids and important roads are red. Other roads, trails, railroads, and boundaries are black. Contour lines show elevation.
Map Key and Importance
A map key explains what the symbols mean. Some symbols are pictures or icons. Without a key, the map cannot be read properly. All maps have titles, legends, grids, compass roses, and scales.