Comments on: 33 Map Elements to Include in Cartographic Design

By: Neil in Cavendish, PEI

Neil in Cavendish, PEI — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 19:23:57 +0000

nice summary, I just provided the link to a newbie

There is a mistake in the map for “3. Use the Appropriate Template”.
Standard time for Newfoundland and Labrador has a label of “7:30” and it should be “6:30” as there’s only a 30 minute difference from here in PEI.
Don’t worry, the author’s name is not on the map so the peeps in Newfy can’t send them any hate mail.

By: Biruk Tzehaye

Biruk Tzehaye — Sun, 25 Sep 2022 23:47:13 +0000

Simple and best guide. It would have been best to include some guide or good practice in the scale of the map and coverage section that relates to paper size in the layout and coverage area.

By: Kellee Koenig

Kellee Koenig — Mon, 21 Sep 2020 19:36:28 +0000

A handy checklist for the beginner! But a few of these are definitely optional and can be unnecessarily distracting. North orientation is so standard, I omit north arrows unless using a non-standard orientation. Scale bars should be as simple as the map’s purpose warrants (i.e. do you even need a subdivision), and in some cases also unnecessary. Graticules are also something I often intentionally omit from many maps. And your note about features could be interpreted two ways–both important. I often filter the rivers, roads, cities, etc. to include a useful level of detail for the map’s purpose. I also need to think about what additional reference/supporting data is vital to the audience understanding the story without it overwhelming the map. But again, this is a great list for people to check and think about what they’re including and omitting.

By: Ed Hawkins

Ed Hawkins — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 19:28:58 +0000

I agree with signing your work. I have a a friend that did the map work for her town when it was hit by a massive tornado and was declared a disaster area. Little did she know President Bush was going to be using her maps on his visit. It wasn’t until she saw him using one that she realized her name wasn’t on it. Now she has her name on every map she produces, what a missed opportunity.

By: Gopal

Gopal — Sun, 21 Jul 2019 14:05:09 +0000

How much map extent should be shown and how to decide the map extent? Please clarify

By: Md Zaidul Alam

Md Zaidul Alam — Sat, 02 Jun 2018 10:31:32 +0000

Great article. I think it describes all the aspects of map design.

By: Benjamin Simon

Benjamin Simon — Fri, 30 Mar 2018 15:56:36 +0000

Great resource and I appreciate you taking the time to put the list together. Your thoughts on each point within the list shed are we stated and informative. Pleasure to read.