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Map keys — Geography, 7–10 years

A map key explains the small signs and colours that stand for real places and things. Geography, 7–10 years.

A map key is a translator

A map cannot draw every tree, road or building at its real size, so it uses signs and colours. The map key tells you what each one means, turning a tiny blue line into a river or a star into a town.

Why keys are needed

The problem is that a map must show a large place on a small sheet. If everyone invented a different sign for a railway or a hospital, maps would be confusing, so map-makers agree on signs and explain them in a key.

Reading a key

A park map shows a blue wavy line, a green patch and a black dashed line. First, find the key. It says blue wavy means stream, green means woodland and black dashed means walking path. You can now plan a walk beside the stream.

The reasonable mistake

A common mistake is guessing that a colour always has the same meaning, such as blue always meaning a river. That seems sensible because many maps use blue for water, but a map-maker may use blue for a bus route or a park boundary, so check the key first.

Where keys help

Map keys are useful on walking maps, weather maps, underground maps and maps in museums or parks. When you use one, look for the key before making a decision, because a sign only helps when you know what the map-maker meant.

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