How to Cite a Map in APA Format

From census figures to topographic information, maps contain a wealth of data you may need for your research project. As with other sources you obtain data from, you should include maps in the reference list of your APA-formatted papers. The sixth edition of "Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association" provides guidelines on how to cite a map in APA format.

Instructions

1. Begin the citation with the publisher's name followed by the word "Cartographer" in parentheses. For example, "U.S. Census Bureau Maps and Cartographic Resources (Cartographer)."

2. Give the date the map was published in parentheses -- for example, "(2008)."

3. List the title of the map followed by the type of the map within square brackets -- such as "[demographic map]" or "[topographic map]." For example, "Combined statistical areas of the United States and Puerto Rico, November 2008 [statistical map]."

4. Give the URL if you retrieved the map from a Website. Use the format "Retrieved from URL" and do not use a period after the URL: for example, "Retrieved from http://www.census.gov/geo/www/maps/msa_maps2008/us_wall_1108.html".

Tips & Warnings

• Give a short description of the map if it does not have a title, such as "Population density of Anderson County" or "Topographic features of the state of Vermont."

• Use the name of the map's publisher and the year of publication for an in-text citation.

References

• "Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, Sixth Edition"; Editorial Staff; 2010
• Purdue Online Writing Lab; Reference List: Electronic Sources (Web Publications); Elizabeth Angeli, et al.; March 2011