Page 17 - Geography_n_Environment

(a) Frame: a border or outer line surrounding the map. The map
frame helps to clearly define the map’s boundaries and separates
it from other information on the page. It shows where the map

begins and ends;
(b) Title: helps to introduce a map to the users by identifies what
FOR ONLINE READING ONLY
a map is about or the geographical information or features it
represents. For example, if the map shows roads in Tanzania,
the title of the map might be ’Tanzania’s roads map;

(c) North Direction: it indicates the direction on the map. It is usually
represented by a North arrow. This element helps the reader to

identify other directions such as South, East, and West. Knowing
directions on a map helps you to understand where things are
located;

(d) Key: it explains the signs and symbols used on a map. For
example, a symbol of a tree might represent a forest, and a blue

wavy line might represent a river;

(e) Scale: it shows the relationship between the distance on a map
and the real distance on the ground. For example, one centimetre
on the map might represent ten kilometres on the ground;

(f) Grid Lines: these are lines that divide a map into squares. They
help to locate specific areas on the map. Each square has a

number or letter to help you find things easily; and
(g) Source: it shows where the information presented on a map

was obtained. The source can be a government organisation,
a non-government organisation, or an individual. Showing the
source of the map helps verify its accuracy and allows other

users to refer to it in their work. Figure 8 shows the essentials
of a map.

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