BOLTSS

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

B.O.L.T.S.S.D. is an acronym used in high-school school geography education, which shows the standard information to include in a map (other than the map itself). It stands for:

  • B: Border - To show the edges of the map. The limits of the area covered by the map. There is usually (but not always) an overlap of the borders of adjoining maps of the same series.
  • O: Orientation - To show which way is North, usually directed with a compass. An indication of north, usually by an arrow pointing to the top of the map. If there is no arrow the top of the map is assumed to be north. Also can mean aligning the map to features on the ground.
  • L: Legend (Or Key) - To explain the symbols used on the map. Symbols on the map that represent natural or artifiicial features on the ground. (Also known as a key)
  • T: Title - To tell the reader what the map is for or what place is drawn on it. The name of the map identifying the geographic area that it covers.
  • S: Scale - To give the reader an idea of the distances shown on the map. A linear and/or ratio indicating distance on the map to distance on the ground.
  • S: Source - To provide the source of the information on which the map has been based.
  • D: Date - To tell the reader when the map was created

The alternative acronym BOLTS refers to Border, Orientation, Legend, Title, Scale (omitting Source and Date).


[edit] External links

 This cartography or mapping term article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.