CHAPTER 3

MARGINAL INFORMATION AND SYMBOLS

A map could be compared to any piece of equipment, in that before it is placed into
operation the user must read the instructions. It is important that you, as a soldier, know
how to read these instructions. The most logical place to begin is the marginal information
and symbols, where useful information telling about the map is located and explained. All
maps are not the same, so it becomes necessary every time a different map is used to
examine the marginal information carefully.
3-1. MARGINAL INFORMATION ON A
MILITARY MAP
Figure 3-1, page 3-3, shows a reduced version of a large-
scale topographic map. The circled numbers indicate the
items of marginal information that the map user needs to
know. These circled numbers correspond to the fol-
lowing listed items.
a. Sheet Name (1). The sheet name is found in
bold print at the center of the top and in the lower left
area of the map margin. A map is generally named for
the largest settlement contained within the area covered
by the sheet, or for the largest natural feature located
entirely within the area at the time the map was drawn.
b. Sheet Number (2). The sheet number is found
in bold print in both the upper right and lower left areas
of the margin, and in the center box of the adjoining
sheets diagram, which is found in the lower right
margin. It is used as a reference number to link specific
maps to overlays, operations orders, and plans. For
maps at 1:100,000 scale and larger, sheet numbers are
based on an arbitrary system that makes possible the
ready orientation of maps at scales of 1:100,000,
1:50,000, and 1:25,000.
c. Series Name (3). The map series name is
found in the same bold print as the sheet number in the
upper left corner of the margin. The name given to the
series is generally that of a major political subdivision,
such as a state within the United States or a European
nation. A map series usually includes a group of similar
maps at the same scale and on the same sheet lines or
format designed to cover a particular geographic area. It
may also be a group of maps that serve a common
purpose, such as the military city maps.
d. Scale (4). The scale is found both in the upper
left margin after the series name, and in the center of the
lower margin. The scale note is a representative fraction
that gives the ratio of a map distance to the
corresponding distance on the earth's surface. For
example, the scale note 1:50,000 indicates that one unit
of measure on the map equals 50,000 units of the same
measure on the ground.
e. Series Number (5). The series number is found
in both the upper right margin and the lower left margin.
It is a sequence reference expressed either as a four-digit
numeral (1125) or as a letter, followed by a three- or
four-digit numeral (M661; T7110).
f. Edition Number (6). The edition number is
found in bold print in the upper right area of the top
margin and the lower left area of the bottom margin.
Editions are numbered consecutively; therefore, if you
have more than one edition, the highest numbered sheet
is the most recent. Most military maps are now
published by the DMA, but older editions of maps may
have been produced by the US Army Map Service. Still
others may have been drawn, at least in part, by the US
Army Corps of Engineers, the US Geological Survey, or
other agencies affiliated or not with the United States or
allied governments. The credit line, telling who
produced the map, is just above the legend. The map
information date is found immediately below the word
"LEGEND" in the lower left margin of the map. This
date is important when determining how accurately the
map data might be expected to match what you will
encounter on the ground.
g. Index to Boundaries (7). The index to
boundaries diagram appears in the lower or right margin
of all sheets. This diagram, which is a miniature of the
map, shoes the boundaries that occur within the map
area, such as county lines and state boundaries.
h. Adjoining Sheets Diagram (8). Maps at all
standard scales contain a diagram that illustrates the
adjoining sheets. On maps at 1:100,000 and larger
scales and at 1:1,000,000 scale, the diagram is called the
index to adjoining sheets. It consists of as many
rectangles representing adjoining sheets as are necessary
to surround the rectangle that represents the sheet under
consideration. The diagram usually contains nine
rectangles, but the number may vary depending on the
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locations of the adjoining sheets. All represented sheets
are identified by their sheet numbers. Sheets of an
adjoining series, whether published or planned, that are
at the same scale are represented by dashed lines. The
series number of the adjoining series is indicated along
the appropriate side of the division line between the
series.
i. Elevation Guide (9). This is normally found in
the lower right margin. It is a miniature characterization
of the terrain shown. The terrain is represented by bands
of elevation, spot elevations, and major drainage fea-
tures. The elevation guide provides the map reader with
a means of rapid recognition of major landforms.
j. Declination Diagram (10). This is located in
the lower margin of large-scale maps and indicates the
angular relationships of true north, grid north, and
magnetic north. On maps at 1:250,000 scale, this
information is expressed as a note in the lower margin.
In recent edition maps, there is a note indicating the
conversion of azimuths from grid to magnetic and from
magnetic to grid next to the declination diagram.
k. Bar Scales (11). These are located in the
center of the lower margin. They are rulers used to
convert map distance to ground distance. Maps have
three or more bar scales, each in a different unit of
measure. Care should be exercised when using the
scales, especially in the selection of the unit of measure
that is needed.
l. Contour Interval Note (12). This note is found
in the center of the lower margin normally below the bar
scales. It states the vertical distance between adjacent
contour lines of the map. When supplementary contours
are used, the interval is indicated. In recent edition
maps, the contour interval is given in meters instead of
feet.
m. Spheroid Note (13). This note is located in the
center of the lower margin. Spheriods (ellipsoids) have
specific parameters that define the X Y Z axes of the
earth. The spheriod is an integral part of the datum.
n. Grid Note (14). This note is located in the
center of the lower margin. It gives information
pertaining to the grid system used and the interval
between grid lines, and it identifies the UTM grid zone
number.
o. Projection Note (15). The projection system is
the framework of the map. For military maps, this
framework is of the conformal type; that is, small areas
of the surface of the earth retain their true shapes on the
projection; measured angles closely approximate true
values; and the scale factor is the same in all directions
from a point. The projection note is located in the center
of the lower margin. Refer to DMA for the development
characteristics of the conformal-type projection systems.
(1) Between 80 south and 84 north, maps at
scales larger than 1:500,000 are based on the transverse
Mercator projection. The note reads TRANSVERSE
MERCATOR PROJECTION.
(2) Between 80 south and 84 north, maps at
1:1,000,000 scale and smaller are based on standard
parallels of the lambert conformal conic projection. The
note reads, for example, LAMBERT CONFORMAL
CONIC PROJECTIONS 36 40' N AND 39 20' N.
(3) Maps of the polar regions (south of 80 south
and north of 84 north) at 1:1,000,000 and larger scales
are based on the polar stereographic projection. The
note reads POLAR STEREOGRAPHIC PROJECTION.
p. Vertical Datum Note (16). This note is located
in the center of the lower margin. The vertical datum or
vertical-control datum is defined as any level surface (for
example, mean sea level) taken as a surface of reference
from which to reckon elevations. In the United States,
Canada, and Europe, the vertical datum refers to the
mean sea level surface. However, in parts of Asia and
Africa, the vertical-control datum may vary locally and
is based on an assumed elevation that has no connection
to any sea level surface. Map readers should habitually
check the vertical datum note on maps, particularly if the
map is used for low-level aircraft navigation, naval gun-
fire support, or missile target acquisition.
q. Horizontal Datum Note (17). This note is
located in the center of the lower margin. The
horizontal datum or horizontal-control datum is defined
as a geodetic reference point (of which five quantities are
known: latitude, longitude, azimuth of a line from this
point, and two constants, which are the parameters of
reference ellipsoid). These are the basis for horizontal-
control surveys. The horizontal-control datum may
extend over a continent or be limited to a small local
area. Maps and charts produced by DMA are produced
on 32 different horizontal-control data. Map readers
should habitually check the horizontal datum note on
every map or chart, especially adjacent map sheets. This
is to ensure the products are based on the same
horizontal datum. If products are based on different
horizontal-control data, coordinate transformations to a
common datum must be performed. UTM coordinates
from the same point computed on different data may
differ as much as 900 meters.
r. Control Note (18). This note is located in the
center of the lower margin. It indicates the special
agencies involved in the control of the technical aspects
of all the information that is disseminated on the map.
s. Preparation Note (19). This note is located in
the center of the lower margin. It indicates the agency
responsible for preparing the map.
t. Printing Note (20). This note is also located in
the center of the lower margin. It indicates the agency
responsible for printing the map and the date the map
was printed. The printing data should not be used to
determine when the map information was obtained.
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Figure 3-1. Topographic map.
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u. Grid Reference Box (21). This box is normally
located in the center of the lower margin. It contains
instructions for composing a grid reference.
v. Unit Imprint and Symbol (22). The unit
imprint and symbol is on the left side of the lower
margin. It identifies the agency that prepared and
printed the map with its respective symbol. This
information is important to the map user in evaluating
the reliability of the map.
w. Legend (23). The legend is located in the lower
left margin. It illustrates and identifies the topographic
symbols used to depict some of the more prominent
features on the map. The symbols are not always the
same on every map. Always refer to the legend to avoid
errors when reading a map.
3-2. ADDITIONAL NOTES
Not all maps contain the same items of marginal
information. Under certain conditions, special notes and
scales may be added to aid the map user. The following
are examples:
a. Glossary. This is an explanation of technical
terms or a translation of terms on maps of foreign areas
where the native language is other than English.
b. Classification. Certain maps require a note
indicating the security classification. This is shown in
the upper and lower margins.
c. Protractor Scale. This scale may appear in the
upper margin on some maps. It is used to lay out the
magnetic-grid declination for the map which, in turn, is
used to orient the map sheet with the aid of the lensatic
compass.
d. Coverage Diagram. On maps at scales of
1:100,000 and larger, a coverage diagram may be used.
It is normally in the lower or right margin and indicates
the methods by which the map was made, dates of
photography, and reliability of the sources. On maps at
1:250,000 scale, the coverage diagram is replaced by a
reliability diagram.
e. Special Notes (24). A special note is any
statement of general information that relates to the
mapped area. It is normally found in the lower right
margin. For example: This map is red-light readable.
f. User's Note (25). This note is normally located
in the lower right-hand margin. It requests cooperation
in correcting errors or omissions on the map. Errors
should be marked and the map forwarded to the agency
identified in the note.
g. Stock Number Identification (26). All maps
published by the DMA that are in the Department of the
Army map supply system contain stock number
identifications that are used in requisitioning map
supplies. The identification consists of the words
"STOCK NO" followed by a unique designation that is
composed of the series number, the sheet number of the
individual map and, on recently printed sheets, the
edition number. The designation is limited to 15 units
(letters and numbers). The first 5 units are allotted to the
series number; when the series number is less than 5
units, the letter "X" is substituted as the fifth unit. The
sheet number is the next component; however, Roman
numerals, which are part of the sheet number, are
converted to Arabic numerals in the stock number. The
last 2 units are the edition number; the first digit of the
edition number is a zero if the number is less than 10. If
the current edition number is unknown, the number 01 is
used. The latest available edition will be furnished.
Asterisks are placed between the sheet number and the
edition number when necessary to ensure there are at
least 11 units in the stock number.
h. Conversion Graph (27). Normally found in the
right margin, this graph indicates the conversion of
different units of measure used on the map.
3-3. TOPOGRAPHIC MAP SYMBOLS
The purpose of a map is to permit one to visualize an
area of the earth's surface with pertinent features properly
positioned. The map's legend contains the symbols most
commonly used in a particular series or on that specific
topographic map sheet. Therefore, the legend should be
referred to each time a new map is used. Every effort is
made to design standard symbols that resemble the
features they represent. If this is not possible, symbols
are selected that logically imply the features they portray.
For example, an open-pit mining operation is represented
by a small black drawing of a crossed hammer and
pickax.
a. Ideally, all the features within an area would
appear on a map in their true proportion, position, and
shape. This, however, is not practical because many of
the features would be unimportant and others would be
unrecognizable because of their reduction in size.
b. The mapmaker has been forced to use symbols
to represent the natural and man-made features of the
earth's surface. These symbols resemble, as closely as
possible, the actual features themselves as viewed from
above. They are positioned in such a manner that the
center of the symbol remains in its true location. An
exception to this would be the position of a feature
adjacent to a major road. If the width of the road has
been exaggerated, then the feature is moved from its true
position to preserve its relation to the road. Field Manual
21-31 gives a description of topographic features and
abbreviations authorized for use on our military maps.
3-4. MILITARY SYMBOLS
In addition to the topographic symbols used to represent
the natural and man-made features of the earth, military
personnel require some method for showing identity,
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size, location, or movement of soldiers; and military
activities and installations. The symbols used to
represent these military features are known as military
symbols. These symbols are not normally printed on
maps because the features and units that they represent
are constantly moving or changing; military security is
also a consideration. They do appear in special maps
and overlays (Chapter 7). The map user draws them in,
in accordance with proper security precautions. Refer to
FM 101-5-1 for complete information on military
symbols.
3-5. COLORS USED ON A MILITARY MAP
By the fifteenth century, most European maps were
carefully colored. Profile drawings of mountains and
hills were shown in brown, rivers and lakes in blue,
vegetation in green, roads in yellow, and special
information in red. A look at the legend of a modern
map confirms that the use of colors has not changed
much over the past several hundred years. To facilitate
the identification of features on a map, the topographical
and cultural information is usually printed in different
colors. These colors may vary from map to map. On a
standard large-scale topographic map, the colors used
and the features each represent are:
a. Black. Indicates cultural (man-made) features
such as buildings and roads, surveyed spot elevations,
and all labels.
b. Red-Brown. The colors red and brown are
combined to identify cultural features, all relief features,
non-surveyed spot elevations, and elevation, such as
contour lines on red-light readable maps.
c. Blue. Identifies hydrography or water features
such as lakes, swamps, rivers, and drainage.
d. Green. Identifies vegetation with military
significance, such as woods, orchards, and vineyards.
e. Brown. Identifies all relief features and
elevation, such as contours on older edition maps, and
cultivated land on red-light readable maps.
f. Red. Classifies cultural features, such as
populated areas, main roads, and boundaries, on older
maps.
g. Other. Occasionally other colors may be used
to show special information. These are indicated in the
marginal information as a rule.
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