成人快手

Watch: What are contours, keys and symbols?

Back to top

Reading a map

Sue holding a map next to a bench and cake.
  • Maps are usually too small to contain lots of writing.

  • Instead there are symbols, which show important landmarks, places and areas.

  • There is usually a key at the side of the map, which explains what these symbols mean.

Sue holding a map next to a bench and cake.
Back to top

Symbols

A map with icons showing features like parking.
  • Symbols are often similar on many types of map.

  • For example, buildings or tourist attractions are shown with blue symbols.

  • Different types of roads are shown in different colours:

    • blue for a motorway
    • red for a main road
    • yellow or orange for narrower roads.
  • Dotted green lines are usually used to show footpaths.

  • Look at the map and key below to find out what different symbols mean.

A map with symbols on it and a key to the right.
Back to top

Contours

  • Some maps, like ones showing the countryside, have contour lines. These are lines that show high and low areas of land.
A map with contour lines.
  • Contour lines join up areas of the same height.

  • When they are close together it means the hill or mountain is steep.

  • When they are far apart it means the land is gently sloping, or undulating (up and down).

  • This is useful to know when planning a route. You can work out whether it is going to be a hike up a steep mountainside or a walk on flat ground.

Back to top

Activity: Quiz 鈥 Contours, keys and symbols

Back to top

Bitesize Primary games. game

Play fun and educational primary games in science, maths, English, history, geography, art, computing and modern languages.

Bitesize Primary games
Back to top

More on Geography skills

Find out more by working through a topic