1. Map and Map Elements
GeLb 107: Cartography and Map Projection
Department of Geography and Environment
University of Dhaka
2. Map and Elements of Map
• A map is a visual representation of an area—a symbolic
depiction highlighting relationships between elements of
that space such as objects, regions, and themes.
• The map may be defined as the representation of the
earth’s pattern as a whole or part of it on a plane
surface, with conventional signs, drawn to a scale and
projection so that each and every point on it corresponds
to the actual terrestrial or celestial position.
4. 1. Title (and subtitle):
Usually draws attention by virtue of its dominant size; serves to focus attention
on the primary content of the map.
The title of a map is usually one of it's most essential features. As such, it should
receive very careful attention so as to match the needs of the theme and
audience. A short title might suffice if readers can be assumed to be familiar
with the theme being presented, more information is needed for less
experienced readers.
The title should also be measured against other lettering applied to the map, for
example in the legend or annotations. Sometimes, legends and annotations
supplant much of the content of a title.
Tips: Never underline a title (or a subtitle), and never put a colon after a title.
2. Legend:
The principal reference to the map symbols; subordinated to the title. However,
this is still a key element for map reading; describing all unknown or unique
map symbols used.
Tips: Only the word "Legend" should be written on your map (and not "Map Legend",
or "Switzerland Legend", etc.).
5. 3. Main Body/ Mapped Areas:
Objects, land, water, and other geographical features important to the purpose of the map.
4. Map Scale:
Provides the reader with important information regarding linear relations on the map. Scale
must always be indicated or implied, unless the audience is so familiar with the map area
or distance of such little relative importance that it can be assumed by the audience.
Distance and scale can be indicated in a variety of ways on a map in verbal, numeric, or
graphic form.
5. North arrow:
According to the rules, each map should have a north arrow. But if the map is north
oriented, or if the geographical co-ordinate are already on the map the north arrow can be
omitted.
Tips: The north arrow must be well readable, but not be too dominant on the map.
6. 6. Border and Neatlines:
Borders serve to restrain eye movements. Neatlines are finer lines than borders,
drawn inside them and often intra-parallelism, rendered as part of the
graticule; used mostly for decoration. This is used to frame a map and to
indicate exactly where the area of a map begins and ends. Neatlines are not
always necessary.
The outer neatline of a map--its border--helps to frame the entire map
composition to draw the reader's attention to the various elements of
information.
7. Graticule:
Often omitted in maps today; should be included if the location information is
crucial to the map purpose, e.g. into topographical maps.
8. Credits:
Can include the map source, the author, indication of the reliability of
accuracy of the map, dates, or other explanatory material.
Tips: Credits should always be written smallest as possible (but nevertheless
readable) and be placed in a box without a frame.
7. 9. Place name and Labelling:
The chief means of communicating with maps; serve to orient the reader on
the map and provide important information regarding its purpose.
Tips: Use the same font for the map frame, the map layout, and the map content.
10. Projection Label:
The projection used to create a map influences the representation of area,
distance, direction, and shape. It should be noted when these
characteristics are of prime importance to the interpretation of the map.
11. Date of production
The meaning and value of some maps--such as those relating to current affairs
or weather--are time sensitive. An out-of- date road atlas or city map can
cause tremendous frustration. Other maps are less sensitive to the passage
of time, but the date of production can still be important if, for example,
better information becomes available in the period after publication.
8. 12. Locator maps
Some maps portray areas whose locations may be unfamiliar to readers. In
such cases, the cartographer adds a "helper" or locator map that places
the body of the map within a larger geographical context with which the
reader can be expected to be familiar.
13. Inset maps
Sometimes observations and data are so densely clustered in small sections
of a larger map that the cartographer must provide the reader with
additional close-up, "zoomed-in" maps of these smaller areas. Otherwise
the data will obscure itself. These close-up detailed maps are called
insets.
9. Map Aesthetics
• the “beauty” of a map; (noun) the overall clarity or cohesion of a
map; (noun) the overall attraction of a map.
• Maps are created for many purposes. If we are concerned with good
cartographic design, we are interested in making maps that are
more effective in serving their purposes, both in how they function
and in how they look. Design is therefore relevant to many general
elements of the map, such as color, typography, generalization,
visual balance, and layout, as well as the character and shape of
the symbols themselves. Simply put, good design is getting the
balance of all the graphical elements on a map to work
harmoniously. It is also important to consider that function and
appearance are intertwined.
10. Principles of Map Composition
1. Legibility
Legibility is “the ability to be seen
and understood”.
In addition to being able to
distinguish features from one
another and the background,
the features need to be large
enough to be seen and to be
understood in order for your
mind to decipher what you
eyes are detecting.
2. Visual Contrast:
Visual contrast which relates to how map features and page elements contrast with each
other and their background. A well-designed map with a high degree of visual
contrast can result in a crisp, clean, sharp-looking map.
The higher the contrast between features, the more something will stand out, usually the
feature that is darker or brighter.
11. 3. Balance/ Harmony
• A well-balanced map page
results in an impression of
equilibrium and harmony.
• Balance results from two
primary factors, visual weight
and visual direction.
• The idea here is to distribute
the elements as evenly as
possible within the map frame
to avoid unnecessary
crowding or, conversely, large
blank areas.
Golden
Focus
12. 4. Hierarchy Organization
The cartographer must determine its
importance to and priority within the
overall map design.
The most important elements in a given
design should be featured in more
prominent positions and perhaps
occupy a larger area within the map
frame.
The most important information should
be featured near the top or to the left of
the map. Less important and ancillary
map elements can be positioned toward
the bottom and right.
In this way, the importance of the
various map elements can be matched
to the visual hierarchy of the map itself.
Triangle Method
This visual layering of information
within the map and on the page helps
readers focus on what is important and
enables them to identify patterns.
