Text Material and Typography 45
should be omitted. If a date is also needed in the title block, then its place in the hier-
archy must be established. Abbreviations should be avoided, if possible.
The phrase “A Map of . . . ” in a title, although frequently seen on old maps, is
redundant. It should be obvious to the reader that a map is a map. Aside from being
intellectually insulting, the phrase takes up valuable space.
legends
The map legend contains explanatory text. As in the title, text in the legend should
be concise, but it must also clearly explain the map symbols and their meanings.
Many map readers are not experienced in interpreting certain kinds of symbols, so it
is better to use a little extra space to clarify the map than to have the reader misuse
or misread the symbols. Although the legend frequently has a brief title, as we saw in
the previous chapter, the word “legend” or “key” serves no purpose and is redundant.
It would be far better to elaborate on the map title and clarify the legend (see Figure
2.18).
OIL SITE
ARCHAEOLOGICAL
SITE
OIL EXPLORATION
fIgURe 3.2.
The title of this map doesn’t reflect the subject
of the map as shown by the
symbols.
NEVADA
POPULATION
2005
POPULATION
NEVADA
2005
2005
NEVADA
POPULATION
POPULATION
2005
NEVADA
2005
2005
fIgURe 3.3.
Each of these titles can be appropriate depending on the subject and intent of
the map.
