Map symbols show things simply — Geography, 4–6 years
Small pictures and marks let a map show many things without drawing every detail. Geography, 4–6 years.
What is a map symbol?
A map symbol is a small picture, line, or colour that stands for something in the real world. A blue line can mean a river, and a tiny tree can mean a wood or park. The map explains these signs in a key.
Why do maps use symbols?
A real town has too many buildings, paths, and trees to draw exactly on a small map. Symbols make the important information easy to see and share. They also help people read maps made in different places, once they check the key.
Reading a simple key
Look at a map key: a blue wiggly line means river, a green square means park, and a black star means school. Find the black star first. If it lies beside the green square, the school is next to the park, even though the map uses tiny marks.
The common mix-up
A symbol is not usually a picture at the real size of the thing. A child may think a large tree mark means the tree is huge, because pictures often show size. On a map, the key matters: the mark tells what is there, not exactly how big it is.
Symbols outside school
You can find map symbols in a park guide, a hiking map, or a plan of a zoo. A toilet, picnic table, trail, or first-aid point may each have its own mark. Checking the key helps you choose where to go and what to bring.
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