Question

What are conventional symbols?

Answer 1

Hint: Maps are a symbolic description showing the relationship between different elements such as objects, regions. Maps are most commonly used to depict geography such as the location or coordinates of a region or the important landmarks in a region, contours of the region, etc.

Complete answer: Maps are filled up with different signs and symbols, for a person to read the map and know the exact meaning of the signs and symbols an index is provided which contains the meaning of the different symbols used. Maps depict distances which are calculated using the scale provided to which the map was made. These signs and symbols need to be universal so that people across the globe can figure out what the map is for. In order to do so there are conventional symbols that are used while designing a map. Sometimes cartographers place the meaning of these symbols inside the map in blank regions with the ‘map legends’ that have the information of the different symbols used. For example, color can be used to depict different types of roads, a red line depicts a highway and a swiss cross represents a hospital. The symbols which do not need any explanation are not added to the map legend. For example, when shapes are used to represent a place like an airplane is used to depict an airport. Examples of conventional symbols:

Note: Conventional symbols are sometimes not very intuitive and can’t be made out by looking at the shape but map readers learn to recognize them eventually. Conventional symbols are most commonly used in geographical maps.