Book of maps or charts (5) Crossword Clue
Answer: ATLAS (5 letters)
The answer to the crossword clue Book of maps or charts with 5 letters is "ATLAS". Atlas is a book containing maps or charts, typically of the world, countries, or regions, used for geographical reference and navigation. It serves as a comprehensive collection of visual representations of land, sea, and sometimes thematic information like population or climate.
Why “Atlas” Fits
The clue asks for a single word (5 letters) meaning “book of maps or charts.” The answer, ATLAS, fits exactly:
- Book of maps or charts: An atlas is a collection of maps gathered into book form, often including geographical, political, or thematic charts.
- Direct match: With 5 letters, atlas perfectly matches the clue’s enumeration.
- Precise meaning: It is the standard and universally accepted term for a book containing maps, making it the natural solution.
The word atlas connects geography with classical mythology:
- Origin and usage: The term comes from the mythological figure Atlas, the Titan said to bear the weight of the heavens on his shoulders. Early map collections were named atlases in reference to him.
- Common contexts: School geography books, travel references, and world atlases all use the term.
- Examples: “He consulted an atlas to find the city’s location,” or “The world atlas contains detailed maps of every continent.”
Quick crosswords often feature straightforward general-knowledge definitions like this:
- Alternatives like chart (5) or plans (5) don’t capture the exact definition of “book of maps.”
- The clue indicates a standard reference tool, and atlas is the universally recognized answer.
- Its brevity, familiarity, and enumeration (5) make atlas the precise and only fitting solution.
