GEO325: Business Geographics
Principles of Good Maps
The following elements are included on all professional quality maps. Elements should be placed on the map layout in a manner that is neat, organized and attractive. Map elements should be proportional to one another (the map image should be the largest element on the page; the title should be a larger font size than other text elements, etc).
|
Element |
Design Guideline |
Map Image |
Should dominate page |
|
Title |
Focuses attention on the primary content of the map (e.g., golf course, restaurant locations, median household income) |
|
Subtitle |
Identifies the geographic area and/or sub-area covered by the map (e.g., Chester County, Pennsylvania; Census Tracts; Zip codes) |
|
Legend |
Explains all symbols used on the map. Subordinate to the map title, but a key element in map reading. |
|
Borders |
Restrain eye movement and bound the map on the page. |
|
Neatlines |
Similar to borders, but are used to bound smaller map elements (e.g., the legend, title bar, map insets.) |
|
Scale Bar |
Provides reference to linear relationships on the map – enbles the reader to measure distances on the map relative to ground measurement. May be graphic, text, or expressed as a representative fraction. |
|
North Arrow |
Provides directional orientation. Generally, north should be to the top of the page. |
|
Place Names and Labels |
Orient the reader and provides information regarding its purpose. |
|
Credits/Data Sources |
List of citations document the sources of the various data layers used in the map and the date of the data (e.g., Census Tracts: US Census 1990, TIGER Files; Streets: Chester County, 2004) |
|
Map Production |
Name of the organization that produced the map and the date it was produced. Note. For this class, include your name, course number, section number and date on all map layouts. Ivana Goodgrade |
Lesson documentation updated 8/01/07;
Ellen Bryson.
The Center for Geographic Information Systems and Spatial Analysis
at West Chester University