Wikipedia:WikiProject Maps/Conventions

Since we love map making for its clarity, wikipedians developed several local cartographic styles over the years.

Here is displayed the summary table of each major map convention that is preferred for use on all language versions of Wikipedia. Each convention has its own sub-page, which should contain:

1. An introduction explaining the style objectives and the most convenient way to create a such map.
2. A color summary table with two (up-to-date) map examples.
3. The naming convention for upload, and other advice (mainly: scale, legend).
4. An up-to-date SVG template.
5. Further details on history, limits, and possible expansions.
6. A gallery of examples.

The image renaming tool working on commons (request this tool · Renaming guidelines), and for admins, the naming conventions can be used to harmonize image and maps' names.

Please note: these are strongly encouraged conventions, aiming to harmonize maps on the Wikipedias, but that cartographers still have a space of freedom to fit specific needs.

Overview

Summary

Convention sub-page	Main feature and usage	Topics (example)
/Location maps (de)	Political entity borders and divisions, focus on the subject, allow geolocation (automatic dots)	Countries, political entities
/Locator maps (blank) (en)	Locator area	None, blank map. Based on chartjunk-free Location maps.
/Orthographic maps (en)	World location	Countries, political entities
/Area maps (en)	Complex multiple area: from single-subject basic locator maps to complex multi-subject areas with corresponding labels and other explanations	Locator maps: one point or one area of interest, mostly a political entity; complexity: families of animals, languages, cultures; empires; human occupation, etc., and their corresponding labels.
/Historical maps (en)	Complex historical maps	Empire with its main cities, borders powers, offensives; battles with units and moves. Same colors as Area maps, add war/historical-icons.
/Technical maps (en)	Display building locations	Archaeology, city close-ups (OpenStreetMaps), etc.
/Topographic maps (fr)	Display relief, often used as comprehensive background for other maps	An area's topography may explain a lot of the local history
/Exchanges maps (fr)	Display exchanges and transport lines	Roads, freeways, railroads, canals, sea roads, money flux, human flux, etc.

Our work & choices

Most of these conventions are supported by active groups of map makers, and have been created and improved through long and serious discussions. The main intentions are: to display efficiently selected data; to create screen, web, print, creation & share friendly maps; to create a wiki style free of nationalism issues. Accordingly, these conventions provide web suitable screen/web/print/creation/share friendly colours, icons and labels. On the other side, not being a government supported project, we do not have to support state affirmation and nationalistic views, also, these conventions advise that you "do not wipe neighboring countries out of your map", and to use dashed international borders (see Image:Maps_template-en.svg).

SVG Tool box template

This is a SVG toolbox to be used! Download it, drag and drop into your SVG map, ungroup, and enjoy :]

If you are still interested in Map edition and SVG, you will need an SVG editor. The first to try is Inkscape, free of charge and good enough, please go to the /Software sub-page.

Please, download me and use me a lot!
World background SVG (complete): download and use me !	.
See also http://gunn.co.nz/map/ to create world maps.

Location maps

Note: this is about LOCATION MAPS, focusing on one subject to allow automatic geo-localisation. LOCATOR MAPS is another style, which follows the 'English colours', to enlighten a subject area in red.

Location maps are mainly used as backgrounds for automatic geo-localisation. But, as SVG, they are often used as source material for other kinds of maps. The German Map Lab is especially active in completing this category, country after country.

Convention for location maps (see more). Subject Colorimetry (RGB/hex) Toponymes (names) #000000 R:0 G:0 B:0 Border. Labels (country/state/province's name) #646464 R:100 G:100 B:100 Subject's area (country, province) #FEFEE9 R:254 G:254 B:233 Other areas part of the same political unity #F6E1B9 R:246 G:225 B:185 Outside area #E0E0E0 R:224 G:224 B:224 Coasts of lakes, rivers, seas, and hydronyms (Temporary coastlines, color and ratio: opacity:0.6;dasharray:4, 4;stroke-width:1;) #0978AB R:9 G:120 B:171 Ocean, sea, lake (Temporary body, color and ratio: opacity:0.6;stroke-dasharray:4, 4;stroke-width:1;) #C6ECFF R:198 G:236 B:255 Naming (upload): File:{Country name in English} location map.svg File:{Country name in English} {Sub-division name in English} location map.svg and so on, but please focus your energy on countries first. Further needs: Legend: not needed. Scale: not needed (since misleading), acceptable for <200km large/high maps. Projections: Equirectangular projection (except for extreme north or extreme south country.) {Location map}: use such {{Location map|Spain|label=Madrid|mark=Green_pog.svg|lat=40.5|long=-3.7|width=230|float=center}} SVG template: if you need some labels, please use Image:Maps_template-en.svg which provide further label conventions.

Spain Madrid dot using {Location map} Madrid dot using {Location map} (Spain) Savoie (French department) France: orange; Italia: grey

Gradient maps

These conventions apply to Choropleth maps where location maps with administrative areas or other areas are connected with data.

Convention for location maps (see more). Subject Colorimetry (RGB/hex) Landmass without values #E0E0E0 R:224 G:224 B:224 Water bodies (ocean, sea, lake) #FFFFFF R:255 G:255 B:255 Border. Labels (country/state/province's name) #646464 R:100 G:100 B:100 Area (country, province, etc.) — color depend of value For manual creation: on the right are 9 colors from ColorBrewer, adapt the ramp to your needs #FFF7FB R:255 G:247 B:251 #ECE7F2 R:236 G:231 B:242 #D0D1E6 R:208 G:209 B:230 #A6BDDB R:166 G:189 B:219 #74A9CF R:116 G:169 B:207 #3690C0 R:54 G:144 B:192 #0570B0 R:5 G:112 B:176 #045A8D R:4 G:90 B:141 #023858 R:2 G:56 B:88 Naming (upload): File:{Subject} per {unit} by {Country or Area name in English} gradient map (YYYY).svg Note: all the subject, the areas' level, and the date (YYYY or YYYY MM DD) are critical. Ex: Average income per household by US state (2011).svg Further needs: Legend: very important (otherwise the map is useless). Labels: not needed. Scale: not needed. Projections: Equirectangular projection (except for extreme north or extreme south coutry.}, please follow World6 and the location maps.</nowiki> SVG template: if you need some labels, please use Image:Maps_template-en.svg which provide further label conventions.

Internet (2007)

Orthographic maps

Orthographic maps display a country (or set of countries) on a globe representation of the world. Like location maps, orthographic maps are very basic, and should no labels or very few labels. Maps should be centred on the area of interest.

Convention for orthographic maps (see more). Subject Colorimetry (RGB/hex) Toponyms (names) #000000 R:0 G:0 B:0 Subject's area (country, province, state, etc.)   #346733 R:52 G:103 B:51 Subject border #335033 R:51 G:80 B:51 Other areas part of the same political unity #C6DEBD R:198 G:222 B:189 Claimed uncontrolled areas #49C946 R:73 G:201 B:70 Outside area #B9B9B9 R:185 G:185 B:185 Other borders #FFFFFF R:255 G:255 B:255 Ocean, sea, lake #FFFFFF R:255 G:255 B:255 Border of the globe #AAAAAA R:170 G:170 B:170 Naming (upload): File:{Country name in English} (orthographic projection).svg Or possibly File:{ISO 3-letter Country code} orthographic.svg Further needs: Dimensions: 550x550 pixels. Border of the globe: 1.5 pixels. Latitude/longitude grid: .3 pixels in black with 77 in the transparency value. Coasts and borders of countries: .3 pixels. Legend: not needed. Scale: not needed (since misleading). Scale is non-linear across the globe Projections: Orthographic projection Gradient: File:Orthographic gradient.svg

China Chile United States

Locator maps (one area)

Locator maps display an article's subject area of occupation. Locator maps are conveniently derived from Location maps, which have to be colored (ocean, land, rivers, subject area) to this conventional colours. Locator maps are very basic, and should not have, or have very few labels. Their aim is to show the geographical occupation, not to explain it.

Convention for locator maps (2012 scheme) (see more). Subject Colorimetry (RGB/hex) Landmasses Toponymes (names) #000000 R:0 G:0 B:0 Territory of interest / Marked / Focus #C12838 R:193 G:40 B:56 Surrounding territories (Internal). #FDFBEA R:253 G:251 B:234 Surrounding landmass (Outside) #DFDFDF R:223 G:223 B:223 Background D (opacity 50%) #C1283880 R: G: B: Foreground C (opacity 50%) #FDFBEA80 R: G: B: Circle marker opacity, glow effect, zoom box: scale effect (opacity 25%) #C1283840 R: G: B: Political borders. Country, state, and province borders. Nuance is provided by line styling. #656565 R:101 G:101 B:101 Water. Hydronymes (names). #1278AB R:18 G:120 B:171 Rivers; coastlines for lakes, oceans. #1278AB R:18 G:120 B:171 Water bodies: oceans, seas or lakes. #C7E7FB R:199 G:231 B:251 Helper Zoom box shadow (opacity 50%) #65656580 R: G: B: Naming (upload): File:{Subject name in English} locator map (blank).svg (for template map) File:{Subject name in English} locator map-en.svg for English version File:{Subject name in English} locator map-ko.svg for Korean version File:{Subject name in English} locator map-num.svg for numbered international version

India blank India>Andhra Pradesh (when filled)

Area maps (multiple areas)

Area map conventions focus on the area layers, providing colors conventions for groups you want to display on your maps and their respective area of control. Just expose the areas of control, and don't include complex labels and explanations.

Convention for Area maps (see more). Subject Colorimetry (RGB/hex) Point of interest (cities especially). #B00000 R:176 G:0 B:0 Area of interest (species range, etc). #F07568 R:240 G:117 B:104 Border colour for areas of interest. #E0584E R:224 G:88 B:78 Parks or natural preservation areas. #A0F090 R:160 G:240 B:144 Maps with opposite groups Color n⁰1, opacity 100 or 40%: #e41a1c R:228 G:26 B:28 Color n⁰2, opacity 100 or 40%: #4daf4a R:77 G:175 B:74 Color n⁰3, opacity 100 or 40%: #984ea3 R:152 G:78 B:163 Color n⁰4, opacity 100 or 40%: #ff7f00 R:255 G:127 B:0 Color n⁰5, opacity 100 or 40% (/!\ may conflict with water bodies): #377eb8 R:55 G:126 B:184 Color n⁰6, opacity 100 or 40%: #ffff33 R:255 G:255 B:51 Color n⁰7, opacity 100 or 40%: #a65628 R:166 G:86 B:40 Color for bird distribution map Year-round. #adafd8 R:173 G:175 B:216 Breeding areas. #f5ae8c R:245 G:174 B:140 Migration or migratory areas. #f7e983 R:247 G:233 B:131 Non-breeding areas. #9dcce9 R:157 G:204 B:233 Introduced areas. #ff7f00 R:255 G:127 B:0 Naming (upload): File:{Subject name in English} locator map.svg (or png, for locator maps) File:{Subject name in English} map.svg (or png) For species, use the binominal name. For others, use the English wiki article title. If needed, add just after the subject name the section's name, the year, etc. Note: Colours: A maximum of four colours is required for complex multi-color area maps (see Four color theorem). References

India>Andhra Pradesh (invalid colours) Lemur catta Range map for the ring-tailed lemur Phaner Range map for fork-marked lemurs

Historical maps

Historical maps (or Complex maps) conventions provide further specific icons and labels, allowing to create historical/complex maps. These style, icons, and labels explain events and display areas of control on a geographic area. They can be drawn on other backgrounds such as blank Locator maps, or blank Topographic maps. Most of time, they're used to display historical events, language maps, ethnic maps, etc. This style's convention stay to improve.

This page provide partial conventions for the creation of Historical maps. Historical maps (or Complex maps) aim to display a clear overview, describing a complex situation. Accordingly, in addition of previous levels colours' conventions, there are provide a full set of conventions for labels and icones. Usage: Most of time, this style is use to display historical situation (area of control, cities) or action (migrations, battles), giving the name to this style. But this labels and icons set is also suitable for other complex maps such ethnology maps, linguistic maps, etc. The set of icons is not close to historical icons, you can expand this set if other icons are need for specific fields. Creation: Historical maps are conveniently derivate from country or wider area Location maps. The map maker have to color the background (ocean, land, rivers, subject area) to the Locator maps conventional colours. To create up on areas, the map maker is suggested to use Areas maps colours. For labels and icons, please see below. Note: the main tool for this style should be the file Maps_template-history_patch-en.svg. This file is a good start, but stay to expand. You have an correct experience in historical map creation ? Please, share your ideas and icons ;] Convention </noinclude> Convention for Historical maps (see more). Maps_template-History_patch-en.svg SVG template: This style is put up on a background. A good set of icons, labels, and a legend box are provided in Maps_template-en.svg; Maps_template-history_patch-en.svg provides history-specific icons. Maps_template-history_patch-en.svg stay to expand. Naming (upload): File:{Subject name in English} {Year} map.svg (or png) Name: use the English wiki article's title. Year: Use the year cited by your source, such as : "1920" ; "52BC" ; or "c 1500BC". If need, find an other way. Legend: to include into the map. Scale: encouraged for small area maps.

Gaza (strict valid colours) Crusader States

Technical maps

Technical maps are mainly close-view maps displaying some local buildings. They are useful when displaying archeological sites, small cities and part of bigger cities. For roads and cities, the most convenient resource is OpenStreetMap. This style of map doesn't have a convention yet, but needs one. Some interesting examples of Technical maps are show below.

• 
  Archeological site.
• 
  Central park.
• 
  Using OpenStreetMap, and updating the style to wiki exchange maps style.
• 

Note: if you have a good experience in technical maps creation, please share your icon set, that will create the basis of future technical maps convention.

Topographic maps

Topographic maps are actually backgrounds. But, since the topography explain nicely agriculture, human occupation, history and so on, topographic maps are a key background style, advantageously use to support such subjects.

Colorimetric conventions for Topographic maps (see more). Subject Colorimetry Positive altitudes #F5F4F2 R:245 G:244 B:242 #E0DED8 R:224 G:222 B:216 #CAC3B8 R:202 G:195 B:184 #BAAE9A R:186 G:174 B:154 #AC9A7C R:172 G:154 B:124 #AA8753 R:170 G:135 B:83 #B9985A R:185 G:152 B:90 #C3A76B R:195 G:167 B:107 #CAB982 R:202 G:185 B:130 #D3CA9D R:211 G:202 B:157 #DED6A3 R:222 G:214 B:163 #E8E1B6 R:232 G:225 B:182 #EFEBC0 R:239 G:235 B:192 #E1E4B5 R:225 G:228 B:181 #D1D7AB R:209 G:215 B:171 #BDCC96 R:189 G:204 B:150 #A8C68F R:168 G:198 B:143 #94BF8B R:148 G:191 B:139 #ACD0A5 R:172 G:208 B:165 Depressions #A7DFD2 R:167 G:223 B:210 Negative altitudes #D8F2FE R:216 G:242 B:254 #C6ECFF R:198 G:236 B:255 #B9E3FF R:185 G:227 B:255 #ACDBFB R:172 G:219 B:251 #A1D2F7 R:161 G:210 B:247 #96C9F0 R:150 G:201 B:240 #8DC1EA R:141 G:193 B:234 #84B9E3 R:132 G:185 B:227 #79B2DE R:121 G:178 B:222 #71ABD8 R:113 G:171 B:216 Rivers, coasts, hydronyms #0978AB R:9 G:120 B:171 Subject toponyms #000000 R:0 G:0 B:0 Border, country and province names #646464 R:100 G:100 B:100 Roads, highways, railroads, etc.: see exchanges conventions there Naming (upload): File:{Subject name in English} topographic map.svg File:{Subject name in English} relief location map.svg ("relief location" for equirectangular projection allowing {location}) SVG template: Image:Maps_template-en.svg provide further label conventions.

France (relief - level with continuous colours) Galápagos (topographic - level with discontinious colours)

Exchange maps

These conventions apply up on any other kind of background, especially topographic ones. Some map creations will still need specific improvisations.

Signaletic for maps (see more). Subject Colorimetry Line size Freeways/Hways : yellow line on larger red line #FFE400 R:255 G:228 B:0 #FF4800 R:255 G:72 B:0 3px - 6px (rapport 1:2) Level 1 roads : red line on larger black line #FF4800 R:255 G:72 B:0 #000000 R:0 G:0 B:0 3px - 4px (rapport 1:1,33) Level 2 roads : simple red line #FF4800 R:255 G:72 B:0 3px Level 3 roads : white line on larger black line #FFFFFF R:255 G:255 B:255 #000000 R:0 G:0 B:0 2px - 3px (rapport 1:1,5) Trails, footpaths : small black line (dashed or not) #000000 R:0 G:0 B:0 1,5px Road tunnels : dashed red line #FF4800 R:255 G:72 B:0 3px Rail roads : dashed black line on larger white line #000000 R:0 G:0 B:0 #FFFFFF R:255 G:255 B:255 3px Railroad tunnels : dashed black line #000000 R:0 G:0 B:0 3px Human habitations #F1C872 R:241 G:200 B:114 SVG template: Image:Maps_template-en.svg provide further label conventions.

Crau Zurich