Figure 1. Map elements in a printed map
What are Map Elements?
Based on Figure 1 beside, here is the list of map elements we need to include in our thematic map:
- Map frame or map image- Map title
- Map legend
- Orientation or north arrow
- Map scale
- Map citation and/or
bibliographical information
The optional elements would be inset, projection information and grid. How to position each element? It depends on the frame size of your map, the shape of your map, and other considerations.
Let's discuss each element!
Figure 2. Proportional Symbol Map - Total GDP
Map Frame
Map Frame is the most important element you need to include. Just like it shows in Figure 2 beside, it has the main data that you visualize on the map. In this frame, you can include a world-scale map, up to the smallest area that is the focus of your data.
Map Title
From Figure 3 beside, we can see that map title optionally includes:
-The data visualized in map/The main idea (what?)-The location or the frame of map (where)
-The year or the time of when it occurs (when)
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Figure 4. Legend for common map types from
Golebiowska, I., Korycka-Skorupa, J., and Slomska-Przech, K. (2021)
Map Legend
Map Legend depends on the map type visualized in the map frame (see Figure 4). You can generate the legend automatically when you use mapping software. Map readers will take a look at the map legend to be able to interpret the map that you present.
Orientation
Orientation or north arrow is important for informing map reader so that they can adapt their spatial orientation to the map they are reading. The style of orientation or north arrow can be adjusted to the style of your map. Example of orientation style can be seen from Figure 5 beside.
Figure 5. Orientation Style
Figure 6. Map Scale
Map Scale
The scale of the map is important to show the reader so that they can imagine the size of the map frame or the symbols you use on the map. In addition, the scale is sometimes important to show the distance from one place to another on the map.
You can use bar scale atau line scale as you can see in Figure 6 beside. The style and the unit of your map scale can vary depends on your map style.Map Citation
From Figure 7, we can spot map citation on the right side of the map frame. Usually, map citation includes the source of the data we visualized in the map.
Figure 7. Cartogram from
Golebiowska, I., Korycka-Skorupa, J., and Slomska-Przech, K. (2021)
Modify your map
The Final Map
Arrange your map elements freely here
Map Frame
Map Legend
Map Title
Map Citation
