Creating a map
Splendid work! We managed to make the most important part of a real map--the content, or data frame. However, there are some more cartographic elements to add if we would like to call our composition a map instead of a spatial visualization. Some of the usual cartographic elements are the following:
- Data frame: It contains the main content of the map.
- Title: A short, concise title summarizing the main thematics of the map.
- Scale and scale bar: The scale of the map visualized with a scale bar and with a ratio number.
- Legend: A graphic description for the thematics of the map. It is not mandatory when the map is not thematic. For example, a shaded relief (especially a hand-drawn greyscale one) does not need a legend.
- Attribution: A list of sources used by the map followed by the name of the author, the copyright terms, if applied, and, at least, the year of creation.
- North arrow: An arrow pointing to the North if the map is not oriented that way.
- Frame: A small frame bounding the map...
