A standard resolution to a crossword puzzle clue referencing antiquated cartography and requiring a three-letter reply is “ESE.” This refers back to the compass course, East-Southeast, steadily abbreviated on older maps, notably these predating standardized symbology.
The prevalence of such abbreviations on aged maps stems from the necessity for concise labeling in a restricted house. Previous to trendy digital mapping strategies, cartographers relied on guide strategies, necessitating the usage of abbreviated directional indicators. These abbreviations served as essential reference factors for navigation and understanding the map’s orientation. The usage of ESE, alongside different compass abbreviations, supplied important geographic context.