NAVIGATION | Map marginal information
- D. M. Wright
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
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MARGINALIA
Map marginal information (often called "marginalia") is the standardised text, symbols and diagrams located around the outer borders of a map. It provides the critical context needed to accurately read, orient, scale, and understand the map's contents.
TITLE INFORMATION
The title information is shown at the top of the map and consists of the following:
TYPE OF MAP
(Top corner)
The ‘type of map’ section shows the country of which the map represents a small portion, the scale of the map and type of map (e.g. AUSTRALIA 1:50 000 TOPOGRAPHIC SURVEY).
MAP TITLE
(Top centre and bottom corner)
The title may be the name of an important town or of an area of the map (e.g. MAGNACOWIE).
REFERENCE INFORMATION
(Top and bottom corners)
The map series, sheet number and edition number are the unique reference to a map and are shown in the reference box. This information must be used when ordering maps (e.g. SERIES R742, SHEET 6334 3, EDITION 1-AAS).
PRODUCT INFORMATION
The production information at the bottom of the map shows when, by whom and under what authority the map was made. The method of production and an indication of the accuracy are also shown.
UNIVERSAL GRID REFERENCE
The universal grid reference at the bottom of the map details the method of giving a universal grid reference. As any six-figure grid reference is repeated every 100 km, this method is used to make the reference unique.
NORTH POINT DIAGRAM
The north point diagram located at the bottom of the map is a diagram showing the direction of true, grid and magnetic north (MN) for a particular year. The annual change in MN is also given. This diagram may not be to scale, so it should not be used to try to gauge correct angles.
SCALE AND CONTOUR INFORMATION
The scale, located at the bottom of the map, consists of both a representative fraction and a graphic scale. Below the scale is information on the type of map projection and the contour interval.
LEGEND
The legend, located at the bottom of the map, contains the colours and symbols which make the detail on a map easy to read. These are called conventional symbols and are purely representative. Care should be taken when using them, as they are not always to scale (e.g. the size of buildings and the widths of roads).
Colours used are normally as follows:
Orange / Brown landforms (contours and sand)
Blue water (rivers, lakes and swamps)
Green vegetation (orchards and mangrove swamps)
Red / Brown roads and built-up areas
Black man-made features (railways and building)
Purple overprints (tactical or aeronautical information)
WATERCOURSE GUIDE
The watercourse guide, located at the bottom of the map, indicates whether a watercourse is perennial, intermittent or mainly dry.
MEAN TEMPERATURE AND RAINFALL
The mean temperature/rainfall graphs, located at the bottom of the map is information from the Bureau of Meteorology from which the values have been extracted from the station closest in climatic conditions to the map area. If there is considerable climatic change on opposite sides of a coastal range, two sets of temperature/rainfall graphs are produced.
INDEX TO ADJOINING MAPS
Located at the bottom of the map, the index to adjoining maps shows the relationship between this map and the eight maps which surround it.
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