BOLTSS Mapping Geography Acronym: BOLTSS Border - Orientation - Legend - Title -- Scale - Source Six (6) essential features of a MAP.

2. MAP
mapemounde
mapemonde
(map of the world)
Middle English
(map of the world)
Middle French
Stemming from the Latin
MAPPA MUNDI
(map of the world)
MAPPA
MUNDI
(Napkin, cloth)
(on which maps were drawn)
(of the world)
(from MUNDUS (universe, world))
Online Etymology Dictionary: Map (1520's)

3. A map is defined as a representation, usually on a flat surface, of a whole or part of an
area. The job of a map is to describe spatial relationships of specific features that the map
aims to represent. There are many different types of maps that attempt to represent
specific things. Maps can display political boundaries, population, physical features, natural
resources, roads, climates, elevation (topography), and economic activities.
About.com: Geography: What is a Map?
The Geographer’s most important tool
is the map.
A MAP is a simplified plan of a place
seen from directly above. Maps play a
very important part in Geography. We
use maps to find out where places are
and what exists on different parts of
the Earth’s surface.
Jacaranda - Humanities
A diagrammatic representation of an
area of land or sea showing physical
features, cities, roads, etc: "a street
map".
Google it: What is a Map?
So what is a map? A map is text. John Pickles, a
geographer with interests in social power and
maps, suggests:
“maps have the character of being textual in
that they have words associated with them, that
they employ a system of symbols within their
own syntax, that they function as a form of
writing (inscription), and that they are
discursively embedded within broader contexts
of social action and power.
History Matters: What is a Map?

4. There are six (6) essential features to maps.
By using the acronym BOLTSS we are able to
remember these six (6) essential features.
Border
frame
Orientation
direction
Legend
key
Title
name
Scale
size
Acronym is:
A word formed from the first letters of other words.
Source
origin

5. The edges of the map should be clearly shown. A common way to show the border is
with a box around the edges of the map. The border should be ruled and stand out
clearly from other text or illustrations that surround the map.
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

6. Direction must be shown on maps. This is done by placing a COMPASS ROSE or a north
arrow on the map. Most maps have NORTH towards the top of the map.
Sometimes, however, maps are turned so that north is not towards the top of the page.


7. A legend may also be called a key.
It is an explanation of the meaning of all the symbols, colours and signs used to show
features on a map, in a list format.


8. The title of the map should tell us something about the map.


9. It would be impossible to draw parts of the Earth to their actual size. So maps are drawn
to a smaller size, with the shape of the features remaining the same. Scale can be shown
in three ways: in linear form; as a ratio [1:100 000] and as a statement for example ‘one
centimetre represents one kilometre’. (Find out more about: SCALES IN MAPPING)


10. A good map will state where the information used to make the map, has come from,
particularly the date.
This enables the user to update the data shown, or obtain similar information.


11. Alphanumeric grid reference
A combination of letters and numbers that locate points on a map.
Bearing
An angle given in degrees and measured clockwise from north.
Cardinal points
The four main points on a compass which are used to give direction. I.e.,
North, South, East and West.
Cartographer
A person who draws maps.
The science or practice of drawing maps.
Cartography
1843, from French cartographie, from Medieval Latin carta + French graphie, from Greek -graphein "to write, to draw".
Conventional symbols
Standard symbols that are commonly used in maps.
Distance
The space between different locations.
Distribution
The general pattern shown by different things on the Earth’s surface.
Geospatial skills
The ability to identify, interpret and explain features and patterns in the
environment and on different kinds of maps, photographs, satellite
images and statistical data.
Location
Where something is found on the Earth’s surface.
Magnetic compass
An instrument which shows the direction of magnetic north.
Mental maps and mud maps
An image or idea in your head which locates the main features of a place
with which you are familiar.

12. Movement
The change in location of things across the Earth’s surface.
Oblique view
A view from an angle.
Orthophoto map
This map is a corrected aerial photograph. Man-made and other features
that are not clear are labelled on the orthophoto.
Plan view
The view from directly above.
Region
An area that has one or a number of distinctive characteristics.
Satellite image
Image of the Earth’s surface transmitted from an orbiting satellite.
Spatial
Relating to the distribution of features on the Earth’s surface.
Spatial association
Spatial change over time
Spatial concepts
Spatial intersection
Spatial perspective
Topographic map
The relationship between the distribution of two or more features in a
selected region.
How the distribution of a feature has changed has changed from the past
and how it is likely to change in the future.
Key geographic ideas used by geographers to describe the world around
them.
How different features and processes affect each other and how they
influence patterns.
A view of the physical world made up spatial and other information
available to describe and explain patterns at or near the earth’s surface.
This map is a way to show mountains, valleys and aspects of a landscape
by means of contour lines and intervals.

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About.com - Geography: What is a Map?
Jacaranda Humanities: Chapter 6.3
Map Scales and Types of Scales
Scales Methods
The Compass and other Magnetic Innovations
Three Types of Scale

14. The MAGNETIC COMPASS was discovered by
the Chinese in 200BC, during the Qin
Dynasty.
It is considered as the first
documented self-registering instrument
created by mankind that could be read using
a precise scale. The COMPASS ROSE (as the
WIND ROSE was known on early navigation
charts) appeared on charts and maps
beginning around the 14th Century.
Elaborate ‘wind roses’ had 32 points , that
kept with the tradition of the 32 classically
named winds.
Predecessor to the magnetic compass:
‘The Magnetic Compass’ was placed over
‘The Wind Rose’ to show NORTH.
It is thought that the Portuguese improved
the ‘wind rose’ to a sixteen-point ‘wind
rose’.
Show Compass Points 
Return to ORIENTATION 

15. Predecessor to the magnetic compass:
‘The Magnetic Compass’ was placed over
‘The Wind Rose’ to show NORTH.
Show text Information 
Return to ORIENTATION 

16. Map Scales
The scale to which a map is drawn represents the ratio of the distance between two points
on the earth and the distance between the two corresponding points on the map.
Map Scales
=
Map Distance
Scale Distance
Linear Scale (also known as: Visual Scale, Graphic Scale and Bar Scale]
Almost every map has a linear scale that can be used for measuring. It shows graphically
the relationship between map distance and ground distance.
A Linear Scale depicts scale using a line, with separations marked by smaller intersecting
lines, similar to a ruler. One side of the scale represents the distance on the map, while
the other side represents the true distances of objects in real life. By measuring the
distance between two objects on a map and then referring to the graphic scale, it is easy
to calculate the actual distance between those same objects.
 Return to SCALE
More on SCALES 

17. Ratio Scales (also known as Representative Fraction (RF) and Fractional Method
It is expressed as a numerical ratio of map distance to ground distance; it is usually written
as 1/50,000 or 1:50,000, meaning that one unit of measurement on the map represents
50,000 of the same units on the ground.
The fractional method for portraying the scale of a map uses a representative fraction to
describe the ratio between the map and the real world. This can be shown as 1:50,000 or
1/50,000.
In the examples below:
• One inch equals one mile therefore, one inch equals 62,500 inches on the map; that in
turn equals one mile in the real world.
• One centimetre equals one kilometre therefore, one centimetre equals 100,000
centimetres on the map; that in turns equals one kilometre in the real world.
 Return to SCALE
More on SCALES 

18. Statement Scale (also known as Verbal Scale, Direct Statement and Verbal Method)
When a scale is expressed in words this is a Statement Scale (Verbal or Direct):
1cm = 100km
Calculating scale on a map using this type of scale is easy. Simply measure the distance on
the map and then follow the directions to calculate the actual distance.
NOTE: Changing Scales
The maps show the effects of scale changes moving "closer to" or "farther from" the
earth.
• A large scale map shows a small area with a large amount of detail.
• A small scale map shows a large area with a small amount of detail.
Return to SCALE 