BOLTS
Mapping principles
A quick guide by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
Field
Sketching
A NSW NATIONAL PARKS AND WILDLIFE SERVICE GUIDE
BOLTS is an acronym
It helps us remember 5 important features when we are creating a map
Border
Orientation
Legend
Title
Scale
The border gives your map a clearly defined area
A border is often just a simple box around the map
B
N
Orientation shows us direction on a map
It is usually shown by a north arrow or a compass rose
W
N
O
Legend
Symbols are used to represent different things on a map
The legend, or key, tells us what each symbol means
L
The title tells us what the map shows
#simple
T
Scale
We can’t draw places to their actual size… they wouldn’t fit on the page!
Instead we use a scale to show how much we’ve decreased the size by
Scale is often shown with a scale bar
It can also be written as a ratio, e.g. 1:1000
S
Can you spot the BOLTS on this map?
Tip
Don’t let data stand alone. Always relate it back to a story you’ve already told, in this case, Marco’s shop.
Now try this one...
Clear, easy to understand maps include ...
Legend
Border
Orientation
Title
Scale