What is a map?

Map

A map is a drawing that represents an area of the world’s surface, and the spatial relationships and attributes of features in that area. Maps include all the information required for readers to interpret the map’s message, and to relate features on the map back to their real-world counterparts

In contrast, simple visual representations of real-world objects (aerial photographs or sketches) are not maps, because they lack components needed to locate or interpret the features they display. They can however provide the basis for a formal map

A map is designed to communicate a specific message. This is done through being selective about which features are included, and how they are drawn. Features which tell the story are emphasised through symbology to focus the reader’s attention on your message. Features which obscure or distract from the message are excluded

This definition of a map reveals an important and perhaps startling feature of maps - their selective focus on a particular message requires them to deliberately lie! In the words of cartographer and geographer Mark Monmonier¹:

“Not only is it easy to lie with maps, it’s essential.  To portray meaningful relationships for a complex, three-dimensional world on a flat sheet of paper or a video screen, a map must distort reality.  As a scale model, the map must use symbols that almost always are proportionally much bigger or thicker than the features they represent.  To avoid hiding critical information in a fog of detail, the map must offer a selective, incomplete view of reality.  There’s no escape from the cartographic paradox: to present a useful and truthful picture, an accurate map must tell white lies.” (page 1)

In addition, Monmonier stresses that:

“…authors can freely experiment with features, measurements, area of coverage, and symbols and can pick the map that best presents their case or supports their unconscious bias’ (page 2)

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