Common questions

What do the symbols mean on an Ordnance Survey map?

What do the symbols mean on an Ordnance Survey map?

Maps use symbols to label real-life features and make the maps clearer. Symbols can be small pictures, letters, lines or coloured areas to show features like campsites, pubs or bus stations. If you look closely at a map, you will see that it is covered in symbols.

What do the numbers mean on OS maps?

The height and shape of the land is shown on a map using ‘contour lines’. These lines appear as thin orange or brown lines with numbers on them. The number tells you the height above sea level of that line.

What is a legend symbol on a map?

A map legend or key 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’.

What are map key symbols?

Symbols are small pictures that stand for different features on a map. A symbol is often drawn to look like what it represents. For example, a triangular shape is often used to denote a mountain.

How are footpaths marked on OS maps?

Footpath. The green dashed line (on OS Explorer maps) or pink dashed line (on OS Landranger maps) are footpaths with a public right of way. They are legally protected routes that the public may use by foot.

What is P on an Ordnance Survey map?

Ordnance Survey Abbreviations

P Paling, Passage, Pavement, Pillar, Plug, Pool, Pump
PH Public House
Pillar (OS) Triangulation pillar
Pks Pecks
Pkt Picket

What does def mean on a map?

Def – This is a “defaced boundary”, meaning that the original feature that the boundary was aligned to no longer exists.

Where is the legend on a map?

Legends usually appear near the bottom of a map or around the outer edges, outside of or within the map. If you’re placing the legend within the map, set it apart with a distinctive border, and take care not to obscure important areas of the map.

How do you make a legend on a map?

Add a chart legend

  1. Click the Layer options button. on the chart toolbar to display the Layer options pane.
  2. If your chart is styled using a single symbol, use the Options tab. to change Symbol type to Unique symbols.
  3. Click the Legend tab .
  4. Click the Pop out legend button . A legend card is added to the page.

Why is a map key called a legend?

4 Answers. “Legend” implies that its entries are generics, as with terrain types on a map, while “key” implies that its entries are specific, as with one symbol designating the Museum of Natural History, another the Metropolitan Museum of Art, etc.

Why are OS Explorer symbols different from OS Landranger symbols?

The map symbols for 1:25 000 OS Explorer maps and 1:50 000 OS Landranger maps differ because of the scale of the mapping – OS Explorer maps show more detail because they cover a smaller area. The type of symbols on Ordnance Survey maps can be broadly categorised as:

What does a map key or legend do?

Just like your house key opens your front door, a map key or legend opens up a map. The map key is what gives you all the information you need for a map to make sense. But first, what exactly is a map? It is a way that we can show different parts of Earth in two dimensions.

Where do you find the map keys in Minecraft?

The two boxes in the upper left corner are the map keys. By looking at the keys you can see clearly where the roads, grassy areas, rivers and pathways are. There are also different icons used to show you the location of playgrounds, barbecues, parking areas, shelters and toilets.

What do you need to know about a map key?

The map key is what gives you all the information you need for a map to make sense. But first, what exactly is a map? It is a way that we can show different parts of Earth in two dimensions. Maps can show large areas, like the entire planet, or very small areas, like your neighborhood.

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Ruth Doyle