A World of Symbols

What do the lines and icons on a map or globe mean?

One great thing about maps and globes is that they show where countries are, where major cities are, and even how ocean currents flow. This makes maps and globes really useful for all kinds of purposes, but to get the most out of them, you have to understand what all those drawings mean. Click through to learn about some common symbols you're likely to find on maps and what they stand for.

On some maps a triangle stands for mountain. Anywhere you see triangle on a map there is a mountain at that place. Can you find the mountains on this map?

A dot on a map may represent a city or capital. Sometimes the size of the dot will tell you how big the cities are compared to other cities. A big circle is a big city and a little circle is a little city. Can you find the cities on this map?

A blue line represents a river. Can you find the big rivers in the United States?

Latitude and longitude lines on a map make maps easier to read. These lines are imaginary lines that circle the Earth. Latitude lines go from east to west. Longitude lines go from north to south. They help us find where things are. Can you find the latitude and longitude lines on this map?

A map legend shows what the symbols on a map mean. The legend is usually found on the top or bottom of a map in a box. Can you find the legend on this map?

A compass rose shows different directions such as north, south, east, and west.

Question

Which way do longitude lines go: north and south or east and west?

Longitude lines go north and south.