Map layout

Introduction

Map layout or map composition is the part of cartographic design that involves assembling various map elements on a page.

Common map elements include one or more data frames (each containing an ordered set of map layers), a scale bar, north arrow, map title, descriptive text, and a legend.

For geographic reference, you can add grids or graticules.

When designin a map, several questions can be asked:

Will the map stand alone, or will it be part of a series of maps that share a similar design?

What size will the printed map be? How will the page be oriented?

How many data frames will your map have?

Will the map have other elements such as a title, north arrow, and legend?

Will the map contain graphs or reports to complement the geographic data?

How will scale be indicated on the map?

How will the map elements be organized on the page?

Who are the end-users of our map?

Are there any ‘unintended’ audiences (e.g., future employees, other colleagues, etc)?

map layout checklist

Primary Elements	Secondary Elements
Title Subtitle Legend Map(s) Scale bars North arrow Date Autorship	Inset maps Graticules Tables Photographs Graphics Descriptive Text Neat lines Graphs Logos	Disclaimer Data sources Data citations Map numbers (if series) Copyright Projection Network path Page Borders

Map layout elements

Title

Map title describes the theme or subject of a map.
It should instantly give the viewer a good idea of what the map is depicting.
The title is either the primary or secondary layout element (if secondary, it is only second to the map element)
It summarizes (in ten words or less) the primary findings of the analysis
Avoid any obvious and redundant terms (e.g., ‘map of…’, ‘analysis of…’)

Subtitle

The subtitle is comprised of any spillover text that is slightly less important than the title but still somewhat necessary to fully understand the map
Ideally, the subtitle provides further detail that the viewer needs to know prior to being able to understand the map
It is placed directly below or to the right of the title

It is displayed in the same font as the title but carries slightly less emphasis than the title

Legend

It is comprised of items (icons, points, lines, polygons) and their associated descriptions
Only exclude map layers from a legend—or the legend itself from the layout—purposefully
Best practices: Items look best when placed to the left of their corresponding label.

Complicated legends with many items necessitate grouping levels.
Most common grouping levels are the categorical group (e.g., all land-use colors placed separately from all stream-level colors) and the shape-type group (e.g., all polygon features placed separately from all line features)

Inset maps

An inset map in cartography is a smaller map featured within a larger map.
Zooming in on a specific area: It shows a detailed view of a particular region that may be too small to clearly represent on the main map. For example, an inset might zoom in on a city or area of interest within a larger regional or national map.
Providing context: It shows the location of the main map’s area within a broader geographic context. For example, a small world map might be inset in a detailed country map to show where the country is located globally.

Highlighting related information: Inset maps can show additional data or thematic content that complements the main map. For example, a weather map of a country may include an inset showing temperature trends in a specific region.

Labels

Identification of features
Labels provide names for cities, rivers, roads, landmarks.
Benefit: Helps users recognize and interpret map features.
Context and Orientation
Labels offer a spatial frame of reference.
Benefit: Aids in understanding relationships between areas and features.
Clarifying Thematic Data
Labels explain data on maps like population or climate zones.
Benefit: Helps users grasp patterns or trends in the data.
Prioritizing Information
Highlights key features (e.g., capital cities, major roads).
Benefit: Directs focus to the most relevant parts of the map.

Conveying Additional Information
Can include extra data (e.g., population, distances).
Benefit: Enriches the map with supplementary details.

Charts and Graphs

Visualizing Complex Data
Simplifies large datasets for easy understanding.
Benefit: Highlights patterns and trends.
Enhancing Data Interpretation
Shows relationships between geographic locations and data.
Benefit: Provides clear insight into spatial patterns.
Combining Spatial and Quantitative Insights
Merges location with numbers.
Benefit: Analyzes how data varies by region.
Supporting Thematic Analysis
Adds context to thematic maps (e.g., demographics, economics).
Benefit: Offers detailed insights on specific topics.
Facilitating Comparisons Between Regions
Easy comparison of regions using charts like bar or pie charts.
Benefit: Shows socio-economic differences between areas.

Exercise

Map Peer Review exercise

Form groups (2-3 people)
Choose a map from your work that you would like to receive feedback on from your peers
As a group, to review the map evaluation criteria provided in the review sheet (3 minutes)
Present your map, explaining key details and objectives (2 min)
Give yourself a feedback on areas you believe could be improved (2 min)
Peer feedback: Group members give their constructive feedback and suggestions (max 5 min)
Write down the feedback and suggestions received from both yourself and your peers on the map review sheet for future reference.

--- title: "Map layout" format: html --- # Introduction **Map layout** or **map composition** is the part of [cartographic design](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cartographic_design) that involves assembling various map elements on a page. Common map elements include **one or more data frames** (each containing an ordered set of map layers), a scale bar, north arrow, map title, descriptive text, and a legend. For geographic reference, you can add grids or graticules. When designin a map, several questions can be asked: > - Will the map stand alone, or will it be part of a series of maps that share a similar design? > > - What size will the printed map be? How will the page be oriented? > > - How many data frames will your map have? > > - Will the map have other elements such as a title, north arrow, and legend? > > - Will the map contain graphs or reports to complement the geographic data? > > - How will scale be indicated on the map? > > - How will the map elements be organized on the page? > > - Who are the end-users of our map? > > - Are there any ‘unintended’ audiences (e.g., future employees, other colleagues, etc)? ::: callout-note ## map layout checklist +-------------------------+----------------------+-----------------------------+ | Primary Elements | Secondary Elements | | +=========================+======================+=============================+ | - Title | - Inset maps | - Disclaimer | | | | | | - Subtitle | - Graticules | - Data sources | | | | | | - Legend | - Tables | - Data citations | | | | | | - Map(s) | - Photographs | - Map numbers (if series) | | | | | | - Scale bars | - Graphics | - Copyright | | | | | | - North arrow | - Descriptive Text | - Projection | | | | | | - Date | - Neat lines | - Network path | | | | | | - Autorship | - Graphs | - Page Borders | | | | | | | - Logos | | +-------------------------+----------------------+-----------------------------+ | | | | +-------------------------+----------------------+-----------------------------+ ::: ## Map layout elements ### Title - Map title describes the theme or subject of a map. - It should instantly give the viewer a good idea of what the map is depicting. - The title is either the primary or secondary layout element (if secondary, it is only second to the map element) - It summarizes (in ten words or less) the primary findings of the analysis - Avoid any obvious and redundant terms (e.g., ‘map of…’, ‘analysis of…’) ## Subtitle - **The subtitle is comprised of any spillover text that is slightly less important than the title but still somewhat necessary to fully understand the map** - **Ideally, the subtitle provides further detail that the viewer needs to know prior to being able to understand the map** - **It is placed directly below or to the right of the title** It is displayed in the **same font as the title** but carries **slightly less emphasis** than the title ## Legend - **It is comprised of items (icons, points, lines, polygons) and their associated descriptions** - **Only exclude map layers from a legend—or the legend itself from the layout—purposefully** - **Best practices: Items look best when placed to the left of their corresponding label.** **Complicated legends** with many items necessitate **grouping levels**.\ Most common grouping levels are the **categorical group** (e.g., all land-use colors placed separately from all stream-level colors) and the **shape-type group** (e.g., all polygon features placed separately from all line features) ## Inset maps - **An inset map in cartography is a smaller map featured within a larger map.** - **Zooming in on a specific area: It shows a detailed view of a particular region that may be too small to clearly represent on the main map. For example, an inset might zoom in on a city or area of interest within a larger regional or national map.** - **Providing context: It shows the location of the main map's area within a broader geographic context. For example, a small world map might be inset in a detailed country map to show where the country is located globally.** **Highlighting related information**: Inset maps can show additional data or thematic content that complements the main map. For example, a weather map of a country may include an inset showing temperature trends in a specific region. ## Labels - **Identification of features\ Labels provide names for cities, rivers, roads, landmarks.\ Benefit: Helps users recognize and interpret map features.** - **Context and Orientation\ Labels offer a spatial frame of reference.\ Benefit: Aids in understanding relationships between areas and features.** - **Clarifying Thematic Data\ Labels explain data on maps like population or climate zones.\ Benefit: Helps users grasp patterns or trends in the data.** - **Prioritizing Information\ Highlights key features (e.g., capital cities, major roads).\ Benefit: Directs focus to the most relevant parts of the map.** Conveying Additional Information\ Can include extra data (e.g., population, distances).\ Benefit: Enriches the map with supplementary details. ## Charts and Graphs - **Visualizing Complex Data\ Simplifies large datasets for easy understanding.\ Benefit: Highlights patterns and trends.** - **Enhancing Data Interpretation\ Shows relationships between geographic locations and data.\ Benefit: Provides clear insight into spatial patterns.** - **Combining Spatial and Quantitative Insights\ Merges location with numbers.\ Benefit: Analyzes how data varies by region.** - **Supporting Thematic Analysis\ Adds context to thematic maps (e.g., demographics, economics).\ Benefit: Offers detailed insights on specific topics.** - **Facilitating Comparisons Between Regions\ Easy comparison of regions using charts like bar or pie charts.\ Benefit: Shows socio-economic differences between areas.** # Exercise ::: callout-warning ## Map Peer Review exercise - **Form groups (2-3 people)** - **Choose a map** from your work that you would like to receive feedback on from your peers - As a group, to **review the map evaluation criteria** provided in the review sheet (3 minutes) - **Present your map**, explaining key details and objectives (2 min) - **Give yourself a feedback** on areas you believe could be improved (2 min) - **Peer feedback**: Group members give their **constructive feedback** and suggestions (max 5 min) - **Write down the feedback and suggestions** received from both yourself and your peers on the map review sheet for future reference. :::