How to Make a Good Map

There are different ways to make good maps, and some are very simple.

There are different ways to make maps. Some are computer generated, some are done by hand. It is possible to make good maps either way. They both require a lot of attention to detail and can take some time to make depending on what a person is mapping.

Things You'll Need

• Ruler
• Pencil
• Pen
• Paper

Instructions

Making Maps by Hand

1. Measure the area you want to map and decide what the scale will be. The scale will depend on the size of the place being mapped, but also on the size of the paper.

2. Sketch the outline of the area you will be mapping. Fill in other areas after the initial outline. Make sure you have positioned the map so that the legend, scale and key will still fit on the page.

3. Create boxes for the scale and the legend. This is so the viewer will know what the symbols mean and how big of an area this represents.

4. Fill in the map's details, such as names of streets, cities or geographic formations.

Making Online Maps

1. Access an online map maker, such as Google's My Maps, to help include specific places on the map, such as landmarks and restaurants.

2. Include the map's geographic area and other places you'd like to map. Type in text about places included on your map.

3. Create the map using the online map tools. You can then share the map online or print it out. Add pictures and videos to the map if you would like to, using sites like Picasa and YouTube.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure to pay close attention to detail because it is a small area representing a larger one, so a small mistake represents a larger area that is misrepresented. Also, there are websites and software that will create maps based on information given to them. These can, however, be costly and may not contain all the details you want on your map.

References

• Krygier, John. "making maps: a visual guide to map design for gis." 2005
• My Maps