This document outlines the nine essential elements that make up a good map: title, orientation, date, author, legend, scale, index, grid system, and surrounding area. It explains that a title identifies what the map depicts, orientation indicates directions, the date shows when the map was made, the author is the creator, the legend decodes symbols, scale conveys distances, an index lists features, a grid system locates places, and surrounding area provides context.

1. Map Essentials