What Key Elements Are Important for Reading a Map ?
Making expert maps is as simple every bit following a few straightforward guidelines.
In this post, we take it dorsum to basics: exploring common map elements, all-time practices for easy-to-read map layouts, and the fundamentals of map design.
You don't take to be a professional cartographer, or have a degree in geographic data systems (GIS) to create cute maps. With online mapping platforms and the right guidelines, anyone can create a compelling cartographic display.
Read offset-to-finish, or click any of the links below to bound directly there.
I. What is a map?
2. Essential map elements
Iii. five steps to laying out a map
IV. Map design basics
What Is A Map?
The definition of a map is likely more circuitous than y'all recollect.
Yeah, maps often depict a location and the relationship between elements within that expanse. Yet, throughout history maps accept also depicted myths, religious beliefs, and even theories nearly the future.
Ultimately, the definition of maps can be boiled down to one unifying theme:
Maps are a symbolic representation of place.
They are not perfect replicas of reality. Compared to ancient maps, fidelity has increased significantly and modernistic cartography is more accurate than e'er before. Yet, a map maker must still interpret reality and then represent information technology - opening space for some level of distortion.
While virtually people can likely place a map, not many tin can name each specific map element. We'll take a look at those next.
Map Elements
Most maps contain the same common elements: main body, legend, title, scale and orientation indicators, inset map, and source notes. Not all are necessary or advisable for every map, only all announced oft enough that they're worth covering.
Main map body
Exactly what information technology sounds like, this is the map itself. All the other elements provide supplementary data meant to clarify and/or back up the main map trunk.
Legend
Also known every bit a central, the legend explains whatsoever symbols used on the map. An effective fable should include a sample of the symbol and a short clarification of what that symbol indicates.
Championship
The map title reflects the field of study of the map. A good title should include the geographic name, the layer name, and the indicator proper name. For instance, if your map depicts the location of parks in Seattle, a practiced title would exist "Location of All Seattle Parks."
Inset map
This is a smaller map featured off to the side or in the corner of your main map. Inset maps typically show a specific area of the main map on a larger scale - giving more particular or adding accent to an area of involvement.
Calibration indicator
The calibration is typically a ratio: one that relates a unmarried map altitude unit to a corresponding altitude in the existent globe. This ratio is ofttimes represented equally a fraction.
Orientation indicator
A map'due south orientation is the relationship between the directions shown on the map vs. compass directions in reality. Google Maps, for instance, ever orients Due north to the peak of the screen.
Source note
The source notation shows viewers where the information displayed on the map came from. Information technology serves the same purpose as a bibliography.
Creator graphic
This element is intended to tell the viewer who created the map. For individuals, the source graphic could simply be a subscript with their proper name. For organizations, information technology's often a logo.
5 steps to laying out a map
As we've mentioned, making expert maps doesn't have to exist complicated. Starting time with a question and make sure anything you lot add from there helps to support the answer.
Hither's our five-step procedure for creating an effective map layout.
1. Define the question
Your map should be visual representation of the respond to a question. So offset, yous demand to ascertain your question! Are you looking to relay general reference information? Or is there a specific theme you desire to explore?
Once you know what your end goal is, y'all can gather data and start making decisions about how you want your map to look.
two. Choose a map type
Maps aren't one-size-fits-all. Unlike map types are improve suited to displaying different types of information.
Consider the question y'all're trying to answer and the story you want to tell. These considerations should inform what map type y'all choose.
There are two broad map categories: reference and thematic.
Reference maps focus on location, depicting natural and/or man-made features.
Examples
- Full general reference
- Topographic
- Navigational
- Cadastral
Thematic maps illustrate spatial relationships, focusing on a specific theme or subject.
Examples
- Category maps
- Choropleth maps - Dot density maps
iii. Consider your map elements
The map elements covered above are quite common in cartography, just remember - not all maps demand to have every element. Ask yourself which elements will virtually help the viewer understand your map.
iv. Establish a visual hierarchy
Visual hierarchy sounds fancy, but is actually pretty simple. Put the almost important elements at the peak, and the least important at the bottom.
Unremarkably, this means including the main map body, title, and legend at the top. Context is of import though, so your map could be organized differently.
v. Make up one's mind on pattern elements
Design is where you tin beginning to have some fun. From colors, fonts, outlines, borders, and stroke widths - this is where creativity can accept the bike.
We'll explore the basics of skillful map design beneath.
Nuts of Map Design
Color
When it comes to color, resist the temptation to go full rainbow. Colors should complement the intent of your map: calculation another level of clarity.
As well many colors and/or unexpected color choices tin can overwhelm and confuse your viewer.
For example, using blue for a forest and reddish for the ocean is confusing. In dissimilarity, using blueish for the ocean (or whatever body of water), and green for the forest is much more than articulate.
Bluish for h2o and green for copse are common color associations. Piggy bankroll on these widely known associations creates an easier viewing feel and, ultimately, a more effective map.
Outlines, borders, and stroke widths
When adding outlines and borders, or adjusting stroke widths exist certain information technology fits within the context of your map.
Any additional pattern element should wait like it belongs: emphasizing details or adding clarity.
Create emphasis by adding an outline, or increasing the stroke width. Just brand sure you're emphasizing the correct elements. For example, if your map is depicting country capitals, merely also includes other major cities - the capitals, not the other cities, should exist in bold.
Borders are some other manner to draw the eye in and add clarity. For case, you lot can add a border to the inset map to arrive clear that it'due south a seperate component.
Fonts
When information technology comes to fonts, recommended all-time practice is to limit yourself to two.
Serif/sans serif typefaces are map standards. Always employ bold or normal font, equally opposed to italic or cursive.
Your map title should be larger than the rest of your text, and you tin play with putting it in assuming. Subtitles and labels should be in a normal font that is readable, but non too large.
Summary
Learning these map making nuts will assist to go you on your way. One time you've learned the fundamentals, yous can kickoff exploring map-based platforms and circuitous maps.
The principal takeaway hither is unproblematic. When it comes to map making, clarity is primal.
Get started making maps
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Plus, unlimited cloud storage and offline mode ensure you tin can keep creating maps and capturing data wherever y'all get, on any device. Launch your mapmaking journey with a 14-day free trial.
Not even so gear up to take the plunge?
Cheque out our mail on six unproblematic online map makers or get more than technical with our guide to GIS mapping.
Source: https://www.unearthlabs.com/blogs/making-maps-101#:~:text=Most%20maps%20contain%20the%20same,that%20they're%20worth%20covering.
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