On a map, what does the legend explain?

• A. The scale bar and distances
• B. Symbols, colors, and meanings used on the map
• C. The map's orientation with north
• D. The grid lines and coordinates

Answer: (B)

Legends (or keys) on a map are the guide that translates the symbols and colors you see into real meaning. They tell you what a blue line represents (a river), a green shaded area means (a forest), a red line indicates (a road), and so on. Without the legend, those symbols wouldn’t convey any specific information. Other map features have different roles: the scale bar shows how far apart places are, the north arrow indicates map orientation, and grid lines or coordinates help you pinpoint locations. So the legend is the part that explains the meanings behind the symbols, colors, and markings used on the map.