What is a sketch map?
A sketch map is a simple drawing that shows the position and features of an area. It is not drawn to an exact scale, but it must be neat and easy to understand. To complete a sketch map, there are five important elements it must have.
Key idea
The five elements of a sketch map: title, frame, direction (north arrow), legend and scale.
The five main elements
- Title — tells the area or subject being shown.
- Frame — the border line that encloses the map.
- Direction — the north arrow that shows the orientation, usually pointing up.
- Legend — explains the meaning of the symbols used.
- Scale — shows the relationship between map distance and real distance.
Example
A black triangle in the legend can represent a mountain, while a blue line represents a river. Without a legend, the reader cannot understand what the symbols mean.
Why the elements matter
Each element helps the reader understand the map correctly. Without the north arrow, direction is hard to work out; without a scale, real distances cannot be estimated; and without a legend, the symbols on the map become meaningless. A good sketch map must therefore have all of these elements so that the information it gives is clear and easy for anyone who looks at it to use.
Remember
A sketch map need not be as pretty as a photograph, but it must be complete with all five basic elements.