It identifies, names and describes states and plots them, flags in a map and points on a graph, against any number of axes and dimensions. Of temperature for instance; is this not one way we measure our states; in degrees of heat and cold? In terms of humidity also, along an axis of moisture and aridity.
In terms of density and weight and the various types of structural strength. In terms of tautness and slackness, tension and relaxation, alertness and ease and so many more.
Turned inside out it becomes visible and tangible as landscape, terrain, topography, climate, atmosphere, materials and forces and words become a log of places visited and conditions encountered, endured and enjoyed and perhaps, also, some hint of how to get there, what current to catch or wind to chase or star to set your sights on, whether reliable and replicable or misleading.