5.

GRID, GRATICULES,
ORIENTATION, LEGEND, SCALE
How to locate yourself or any feature on
earth???
■ Need a coordinate system that uses one or
more numbers, or coordinates, to uniquely
determine the position of the points on the
earth.
■ Geographic coordinate system and projected
coordinate system
■ A geographic coordinate system (GCS) uses a
three-dimensional spherical surface to define
locations on the earth.

■ A projected coordinate system is a flat, two-

dimensional representation of the Earth
Graticule

■ In geographic coordinate system, An imaginary

network of lines provided throughout the surface of
the earth which are used to determine the position
of any point on the earth. This network is called
Graticule
■ The graticule is composed of latitude lines
(parallels), which run east-west and  longitude
lines (meridians), which run north-south,
■ In this geographic coordinates system, coordinates
are measured in units of angular degrees
Latitude
■ Latitude  is a geographic coordinate that specifies
the north–south position of a point on the Earth's
surface.
■ Latitude is an angle which ranges from 0° at
the Equator to 90° (North or South) at the poles.
■ Lines of constant latitude, or parallels, run east–west as
circles parallel to the equator.
■ Latitude is used together with longitude to specify the
precise location of features on the surface of the Earth
■ The line of latitude midway between the poles is
called the equator. It defines the line of zero
latitude
■ Latitude is symbolized as Phi (Ø)
■ Equator divides earth in two hemisphere,
northern and southern
■ Besides equator, other four parallels are of
significance.
Arctic Circle 66° 34′ (66.57°) N
Tropic of Cancer 23° 26′ (23.43°) N
Tropic of Capricorn 23° 26′ (23.43°) S
Antarctic Circle 66° 34′ (66.57°) S
Longitude
■ Longitude  is a geographic coordinate that specifies the east–
west position of a point on the Earth's surface.
■ Longitude is an angle which ranges from 0° at the Equator to 180° (East
or West) .
■ Lines of constant longitude, or meridians, are converging towards poles
(north and south)
■ The line of zero longitude is called the prime meridian, the prime
meridian passes through Greenwich, England.
■ Longitude is symbolized as lamda (λ)
■ The origin of the graticule (0,0) is defined by
where the equator() and prime meridian intersect.
■ Latitude and longitude values are measured either
in decimal degrees or in degrees, minutes, and
seconds (DMS). 
 Grid

■ Earth is spherical.
■ One of the simplest way to map the earth is to map on
the globe.
■ But mapping in a globe has various disadvantages such
as difficulties in making and reproducing, handling,
storing and measuring.
■ Hence, map must be produced in a flat surface.
■ Converting spherical surface into flat surface, 2
operations are performed:
■ a. Alteration of scale
■ b. Transformation of sphere to plane surface
■ A network of intersecting parallel and perpendicular
lines is placed over the projected map such that the
origin of the grid lines fall on a point of interest on the
map. This arrangement is called a grid reference system
■ Every point on the flat map can be located with a unique
X and Y coordinate.
■ The grid numbers on the east-west (horizontal) axis are
called Eastings, and the grid numbers on the north-south
(vertical) axis are called Northings.
Orientation

■ The orientation of a map is the relationship

between the directions on the map and the
corresponding directions in reality
■ Maps are usually created referencing a particular
direction
■ The directionality of a map is known as its
orientation
North orientation

■ The modern culture uses north direction for orientation on map and has been popular on
online mapping
■ North orientation came into favor during the great age of exploration (the early 15th
century that continued into the early 17th century) with the need for seafaring explorers
to orient themselves with their compasses
■ Orienting the map to the north and using compass to determine the magnetic north
would help to sail in the sea even in bad climate and poor visibility
■ Historically, maps have not always been oriented north. Different geographic and
religious influences have changed over time how maps are oriented
East orientation

■ The word “orient” came from the latin word “oriens”, meaning east
■ During the medival age(5th to 15th century) of Europe, religious doctrine influenced
cartography
■ European cartographers in medieval times oriented the maps so that east was at the top
where the sun rose and the paradise was thought to lie
West orientation

■ There aren’t a lot of west orientation maps.

■ In 1635, a map of new Netherlands and New
England created by Dutch cartographer Willem
Blaeu shows a west orientation
South orientation

■ Maps with south oriented towards the top of the

map are known as south-up or reverse maps, since
the map appears upside down to those used to maps
oriented towards the north
■ South is oriented the top of the map, east is towards
the left of the map and west towards the right
Custom orientation

 Not all maps are oriented due north, south, east, or west. Some
maps have a custom orientation to promote a political purpose or
to help with navigation.
 A lot of tourist maps for amusement parks, zoos, and other areas
of interest commonly show the entrance to the location at the
bottom of the map to help people orient themselves better.
 The 
New York City Department of Transportation places pedestrian fr
iendly maps
 around the city with the orientation rotated to be “heads-up” or
forward-facing so that viewers are facing the map in the same
direction they standing for readability. 
Legend

■ A legend is a visual explanation of the symbols used on the map. It typically includes a

sample of each symbol (point, line, or area), and a short description of what the symbol
means. For example, a short segment of a blue sinuous line may be labeled 'rivers’.
■  Because map symbols’ meanings vary from region to region, a clear and concise legend
is critical for conveying the distinctive characteristics of the map.
■ Legend is related to the information on the map it is connected to. Therefore, it is
important to remember the layout design concepts such as visual balance, clarity, visual
logic, logical groupings, and unambiguous references to create a legend that is effective
in relation to the map.
■ The legend should be simple and its position largely
depends on the open space available in the map; a
legend should be centered in an area of open space.
■ It should be large enough that it is legible(easy to
read and remember) but small enough to stay low in
the visual hierarchy.
Considerations in Legend Design

Content
■ Information is contained in the legend to aid in the
interpretation of the map. Legends usually contain a title
and portray the symbology with a concise explanation.
■ The title of the legend does not need to have the word
"legend" in it; often it does not need a title at all.
However, when it is necessary (i.e. to explain the
meaning of the choropleth map or other vital
information in the legend) then the title becomes the key
element. Choropleth map showing population
density of Asia
■ If symbols on the map are self-explanatory, they need
not appear on the legend.
Design
■  involves the overall appearance of the legend.
■ The symbology of the legend must match the symbology on the map with the same size, weight,
color and meaning.
■ If the symbology is difficult or slightly confusing, it is important to have a brief explanation of
the symbol so the reader of the map understands the meaning.
■ Be concise - not every symbol used on the map needs to be in the legend.
■ Orientation is an important aspect of legend design, vertical versus horizontal legends. The main
task of both orientations is to accurately and effectively depict more or less of a certain value or
phenomena. Ultimately, most legend layout are decided by available space on the map
Placement 
■ is where the legend itself is located on the map. Some places are better than others.
Keep in mind that the legend is not the main attraction--it is used to describe the main
attraction.
■ The size should only be large enough to be legible for the reader. It is best to place the
legend in an area of open space on the map. For example, placing a legend over the
Pacific Ocean, instead of over a country or state, for a political map of the world would
be a much cleaner view.
Scale

Discussed in previous classes…..