In cartography, a map key serves what function?

• A. To indicate scale
• B. To show elevation
• C. To explain symbols on a map
• D. To identify north direction

Answer: (C)

A map key explains what the symbols on a map mean. Maps use icons, colors, and line styles to represent features like roads, rivers, forests, towns, and boundaries. The key or legend tells you what each symbol stands for, so you can read the map accurately and know exactly what you’re looking at.

Other elements do different jobs: the scale shows how distance on the map translates to real-world distance, elevation is shown with contour lines or shading, and a north arrow or compass rose indicates direction. But the purpose of the map key is specifically to explain the symbols.