As a geographer, the "essential element of geography" that I would be studying by using a map to study locations would be the element of the world in spatial terms.
<u>Explanation:</u>
Studying locations through a map comprehensively means studying the spaces occupied by the locations to create a particular type of setting.
These settings can be anything like a ranch, a bridge, a mountain, etc.
The element of geography which refers to the study of the "world in spatial terms" includes studying the orientation of places through maps.
As a geographer, the essential element you would be studying if you used this map to study locations is environments and society’s. This is because, geography is about environment and society.
