Parts of a Map

Map Projection A projection is a way of showing the Earth on a flat surface.

Title Tells what the map is showing. Shows the topic – ex. Crops grown in a region Historical maps will have a date.

Compass Rose The part of the map that indicates cardinal directions. N, S, E, W Often it will only show North and assumes you understand where the rest are.

Key/Legend The part of a map that show what different symbols on the map indicate.

· Boise Grid System of lines used to divide up space on maps These make it possible to find the place you are looking for. The maps in your atlas will use a latitude and longitude grid like this.

Grid On a map with a smaller area they can’t use Latitude & Longitude so they use numbers & Letters State & City maps

Scale The part of a map used to show exact distances from one place to another. Compares the distance on the map to the actual distance on the earth.

Inset Map A small map set within the border of a larger map.