What are the 3 main parts of a map?

As we've mentioned, making good maps doesn't have to be complicated. Start with a question and make sure anything you add from there helps to support the answer.

Here’s our five-step process for creating an effective map layout.

1. Define the question

Your map should be visual representation of the answer to a question. So first, you need to define your question! Are you looking to relay general reference information? Or is there a specific theme you want to explore?

Once you know what your end goal is, you can gather data and start making decisions about how you want your map to look.

2. Choose a map type

Maps aren’t one-size-fits-all. Different map types are better suited to displaying different types of information.

Consider the question you’re trying to answer and the story you want to tell. These considerations should inform what map type you choose.

There are two broad map categories: reference and thematic.

Reference maps focus on location, depicting natural and/or man-made features.

Examples- 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

3. Consider your map elements

The map elements covered above are quite common in cartography, but remember - not all maps need to have every element. Ask yourself which elements will most help the viewer understand your map.

4. Establish a visual hierarchy

Visual hierarchy sounds fancy, but is actually pretty simple. Put the most important elements at the top, and the least important at the bottom.

Usually, this means including the main map body, title, and legend at the top. Context is important though, so your map could be organized differently.

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5. Decide on design elements

Design is where you can start to have some fun. From colors, fonts, outlines, borders, and stroke widths - this is where creativity can take the wheel.

We'll explore the basics of good map design below.

Maps are the primary tools by which spatial relationships and geographic data are visualized. Maps therefore become important documents.

There are several key elements that should be included each time a map is created in order to aid the viewer in understanding the communications of that map and to document the source of the geographic information used.

What are the parts of a map?

Numbered below are descriptions of cartographic elements that are commonly found on a map layout. Some maps have all eight elements while other maps may only contain a few of them.

These eight possible map elements that make up the parts of a map are:

1. data (or map) frame
2. map legend
3. map title
4. north arrow
5. map scale bar
6. metadata (or map citation)
7. border (or neatline)
8. inset (or locator) map.

A sample map showing the different elements in a map layout. Map: Caitlin Dempsey.

1. Data Frame

The data frame is the portion of the map that displays the data layers. This section is the most important and central focus of the map document.

In this map example, the data frame contains a map of the continental United States showing historical grassland areas. The data frame, is also referred to as the map frame, is where the actual map data is displayed.

2. Map Legend

The legend serves as the decoder for the symbology in the data frame. Therefore, it is also commonly known as the key.

Descriptions detailing any color schemes, symbology or categorization is defined here.

In the legend below, the grassland data has been categorized with different shades of green and yellow. The text of the legend describes what each color means.

An example of a map legend. The purpose of a map legend, or map key, is to tell the reader what the different symbols and colors on a map mean. Image: Caitlin Dempsey.

Without the legend, the color scheme on the map would make no sense to the viewer. The legend tells the viewer that the darker the color, the more extreme the increase or decrease in years since a fire has occurred.

3. Map Title

The title is important because it instantly gives the viewer a succinct description of the subject matter of the map.

The title “Historic grasslands in the continental United States” quickly tells the viewer the subject matter and location of the data for that map.

4. North Arrow

The purpose of the north arrow is for map orientation.

This allows the viewer to determine the direction of the map as it relates to due north. Most maps tend to be oriented so that due north faces the top of the page.

There are exceptions to this and having the north arrow allows the viewer to know which direction the data is oriented.

To learn more about when to use a North Arrow, read “To North Arrow or Not to North Arrow“.

The purpose of a north arrow is to let the reader know the map orientation. Many maps are created with north towards the top of the map. Image: Caitlin Dempsey.

5. Map Scale

The map scale explains the relationship of the data frame extent to the real world. The description is a ratio. This can be shown either as a unit to unit or as one measurement to another measurement.

Therefore a scale showing a 1:10,000 scale means that every one paper map unit represents 10,000 real world units.

For example 1:10,000 in inches means that a measurement of one inch on the map equals 10,000 inches in real life.

The second method of depicting scale is a comparison with different unit types.

For example, 1″:100′ means that every inch measure on the paper map represents 100 feet in the real world.

This ratio is the same as 1:1200 (1 foot = 12 inches). In addition to text representation as described above, the ratio can be shown graphically in the form of a scale bar.

Maps that are not to scale tend have have a “N.T.S” notation which stands for “Not to scale.”

The purpose of a map scale is to let the reader know the ratio of the distance on a map to the distance in the real world. Image: Caitlin Dempsey.The purpose of a north arrow is to let the reader know the map orientation. Many maps are created with north towards the top of the map. Image: Caitlin Dempsey.

6. Map Citation

The citation portion of a map constitutes the metadata of the map.

This is the area where explanatory data about the data sources and currency, map projection information and any caveats can be added. In the example below, the citation tells the source of the data and who created the map.

Citations help the viewer determine the use of the map for their own purposes.

The map citation or map metadata contains text that describes the data and other aspects of the map.

7. Map border

The purpose of a map border, also known as the neatline, is purely for aesthetic reasons. A map border can be used to serve as a visual containment for all the elements of a map.

On this map, the neatline is a simple black line that forms a box around the map elements.

A map border helps to visually contain all the map elements. Map: Caitlin Dempsey.

8. Inset Map

The inset map is a smaller map that is shown to help provide geographic context to the map reader.

Inset maps can be used in two ways.

The first function of an inset map is to show a larger geographic area to show where the geographic subject of the map is located. This can be useful for showing where small geographic area located within a country or a state.

Inset maps can be used to show the general geographic location of a map. Image: Caitlin Dempsey.

The second function of an inset map is to show an area of detail. When showing a small scale map, or a map that covers a large geographic area, sometimes areas of the map are hard to see. An inset map can show a zoomed in section of the larger map so that more of the detail of that area can be seen.

Inset maps can be used to show a more detailed view of a section of the main map. Image: Caitlin Dempsey.

Watch: Parts of a map

Article first written: January 23, 2000. Last Updated: July 25, 2022.

For more information about the field of map making visit the cartographic resources page and read the article, “Ten Things to Consider When Making a Map.”

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