MAP ELEMENTS
By
Adams Osman
1
MAP ELEMENTS
All maps are created from a common set of elements
What are these elements?
Why are these elements important on a map?
MAP ELEMENTS
1. Frame Line and Neat Line
2. Reference system
3. Mapped Area
4. Inset
5. Title and Subtitle
6. Legend/Symbols
7. Data Source
8. Scale
9. Orientation
MAP ELEMENTS
Frame Line: Line which encloses all other map elements
Neat Line: Line which encloses only the mapped area and a
times other elements
Reference system: Consists of vertical and horizontal lines used
to determine the actual location on the map and ground
Mapped area: Actual geographic location displayed with its
physical or cultural characteristics
Inset: A smaller map included within the context of a larger map
to enlarge important, congested areas or give location
information of mapped area
MAP ELEMENTS
Title & Subtitle: ????????????????????
Legend/Key: Defines the symbols found on a map
Data source: States agencies or organisations data was secured for
the map creation
Scale: Ratio between distance on the map and distance on the
earth/ground
Orientation: ?????????????????????
DIRECTION AND BEARINGS
Direction is the path along which something is pointing
or moving
Direction is used to determine location of features on a
map relative to other features
It helps in orientation of a place
Direction can be measured based on Bearing per
Angular units (Degrees & Mils) and Cardinal direction
All directions are based on a baseline (Reference Point)
DIRECTION AND BEARINGS
Types of Baseline or Reference points
1. True North- Direction along earth
surface towards the North Pole
2. Grid North- Direction along grid lines
on a map- Map projection north
3. Magnetic North- Direction which the
compass points to thus magnetic field
of the earth- Compass north
BEARINGS CARDINAL POINTS
N by W N by E
NW by N NE by N
NNW N NNE
NW by W NW NE NE by E
Primary
InterCardinal
WNW ENE
W by N
E by N
Secondary W E
InterCardinal
E by S
W by S ESE
WSW
SE SE by E
SW by W SW
SSW SSE SE by S
SW by S S by W S S by E
BEARINGS: Cardinal Points
Forward Bearing Backward Bearing
N
Swedru Swedru
N
NE
SW
Winneba Winneba
From----To Of---From
BEARINGS: Cardinal Points
BEARINGS: Cardinal Points
Examples
1. What is the cardinal direction from Ga Mashie to Korlebu?
2. What is the cardinal direction of Ga Mashie from Korlebu?
3. What is the cardinal direction of Korlebu from Ga Mashie?
4. Kaneshie is located to the ………..of Dansoman?
5. What cardinal direction is a person journeying from Nima
needs in order to reach Mataheko?
6. What is the direction from Tunga to Mamprobi?
7. Abossey Okai is located south of Kaneshie? True/ False
BEARINGS: Angular Measurement
Bearing measured in angular units (Azimuth)
Angular Units
1. Degrees: The most common unit of measure is the degree (º)
with its subdivisions of minutes (') and seconds (")
2. Mils: The mil expresses the size of an angle formed when a
circle is divided into 6,400 angles . Mostly used by military
3. Grad: The grad is a metric unit of measure found on some
foreign maps. There are 400 grads in a circle (a 90-degree right
angle equals 100 grads)
BEARINGS: Angular Measurement
Degree
0
or
360
31 45
5
270 90
225 135
180
BEARINGS: Cardinal Points
Forward Angular Backward
Bearing/Azimuth Angular N
Bearing/Azimuth
Swedru Swedru
N
450
SW
2250=180+450
Winneba Winneba
2250=1800+450
From----To
Of---From
BEARINGS: Angular Measurement
BEARINGS: Cardinal Points
Examples
1. What is the angular bearing from Ga Mashie to Korlebu?
2. What is the azimuth of Ga Mashie from Korlebu?
3. What is the angular bearing of Korlebu from Ga Mashie?
4. Kaneshie is located to the ………..of Dansoman?
5. What azimuth is a person journeying from Nima needs in
order to reach Mataheko?
6. What is the azimuth from Tunga to Mamprobi?
7. Abossey Okai is located 1800 of Kaneshie? True/ False
BEARINGS: Cardinal Points
Examples
1.A drone sets off on a bearing of 28° from North Campus,
but after some time has to turn back because of bad weather .
On what angula bearing must it travel?
2. A bird sets off on a bearing of 47° from Elmina to Nsaba.
a.What should be its new bearing if it was to reach Assin Faso
from Nsaba
b.What will be its new bearing if it want to return to Elmina
from Assin Faso?
