What does red on a map indicate?

The color red on a map typically indicates major roads, highways, or key transportation routes. This use of color is standardized in many mapping systems to help users quickly identify important pathways for navigation and travel. Major roads are critical for transportation and often marked distinctly to differentiate them from other types of pathways.

While other colors are commonly used to indicate various features—such as blue for water features and green for vegetation—red specifically draws attention to significant routes within the landscape, helping infantry and other personnel navigate effectively in the field. Understanding map symbols and colors is crucial for operational planning and situational awareness, which is why recognizing red as representative of major roads is essential for soldiers and those working in military contexts.