What do you call the instructions that are placed around the outer edge of a map?

The instructions that are placed around the outer edge of a map are referred to as marginal information. This term encompasses a variety of supplementary details that provide context and enhance the map’s usability, such as the map's title, scale, legends, and notes regarding the map’s source or intended use. Marginal information is crucial as it helps the user to interpret the geographic data accurately, understand the scale of representation, and gather insights on various features depicted on the map.

In contrast, the legend specifically identifies symbols used on the map and explains their meaning, while the scale indicator provides information on the relationship between distances on the map and actual distances on the ground. The title block typically contains the name of the map and its purpose but does not encompass all the necessary instructions and data provided around the map's edge. Thus, marginal information is the most comprehensive and accurate description for the instructions located around a map's perimeter.