How To Add A Text Area To An Image Map

A map legend is a side table or box on a map that shows the meaning of the symbols, shapes, and colors used on the map. The map legend is sometimes called the map fundamental. The map legend oft also has a scale to assistance the map reader gauge distances.

Map legends historically accept been fixed elements on a printed map, but interactive digital maps ofttimes include dynamic map legends.

What's on a Map Legend?

A map legend shows colors, shapes, and symbols to define a sure characteristic of the map. On a physical location map, yous might find areas of lakes, rivers, and mountain ranges highlighted in the map fable for the type of map that's beingness used.

On a political map, you will detect areas of influence pertaining to a political party or individual politician. A map fable will show colors and shapes for the political influences, such as parties, that are dominant in a particular country or region.

Using a Map Legend

Map legends are often found in a top or lesser of a map, with a color or symbol and a description for what these colors and symbols mean. Check your map area, and then consult the map key for a clearer definition of the role of the map y'all're seeing.

The map fable'southward purpose is besides to show relationships betwixt certain things. You might be in a major metro area and consult the subway map, every bit an alternative to taking a charabanc or car. The map and its fable can highlight not only the distance simply as well the complexity or ease of your trip using a public subway. This value in highlighting spatial relationships is a key asset to a printed map legend.

Types of Maps Legends

There are many different types of maps, and then the map legend varies co-ordinate to the purpose of the map. On concrete geographic area maps, the shapes and symbols likely show the location for towns and cities, rivers and lakes, government buildings, county borders, and highways. On more specialized maps, the map legend will differ. For example, on a map of a large building or complex, doors, windows, exits, stairwells, fences, property boundaries, and more than will be highlighted in the map legend.

Types of Printed Maps

Since the dawn of man, mapmakers and cartographers accept created maps for guidance past travelers. Early on maps were first started getting made on tablets made from dirt, and later onto parchment paper and finally to printed maps and volume atlases.

Today, there are many types of maps and their respective legends. Yous can find common foldable printed road maps and big road maps in bound atlas form. If yous're a meteorologist, you volition consult weather maps and climate maps. There are reference maps, political maps, population maps, gender maps, and more.

Benefits of Printed Maps

Printed maps have lost full general usage during the past 20 years, due to the rise of satellite-aided GPS on mobile devices. Having a vocalisation direct you in your car via your mobile device is an innovation few of usa could live without today. However, printed maps and their legends can often guide us in means on our travels that small screens cannot.

For instance, looking at a larger map tin give travelers an idea of what's in the surrounding area, and not only on the direct route to the location. If you are holding a hiking map, you tin estimate the distance between your start and your turnaround loop using a printed map.