the smaller margin elements that, by means of a contrasting background, have the separator boxes and not the map itself.
In static mapping, when we are faced with presenting the results of an analysis, we often wonder if the analysis extent should be the same as the visible map extent or if we ought to include the surrounding geography in order to provide context, even though it may detract from the central focus. For example, let’s say you’ve analyzed which households will be impacted by a proposed tax increase within a town’s boundaries. Do you display just the town, given its irregular border, or do you show the houses that lay outside the town boundaries as well, out to such an extent that the map becomes a square or rectangle shape? There are a few techniques used to solve this problem. You can clip out all the outlying areas, leaving the map to “float” within the rectangular or square area that the page requires. You can include the outlying data as-is. You can include the outlying data in a generalized form. Or, you can provide context while still maintaining the focus on the analysis extent by changing the outlying data to a faded or semitransparent look. This last technique gives the analysis extent a popped-out effect.
Placement: In most cases, the map element or elements will consume the majority of the layout space. When there is a hierarchy of maps on the same layout, there should be no doubt as to which is the main map. It is either set apart in size or position, or most effectively, both. When just one map is desired, it is placed in a central but slightly off-center location on a static layout. An interactive, digital map layout looks fine when the map is central. Multiple, static, time series maps that are all the same size and shape function similarly to a single large map in terms of layout placement. Do you have to conform to these conventions? Not necessarily, but make sure you have good reason for your decision. For example, there are layouts that contain a centered map with logos or pictures surrounding it on all sides, such as city tourist maps that are distributed for free. These maps often showcase advertisements around the map on all sides. Because the advertising is very important on that type of layout, the placement can be acceptable, but on most analytical and informational layouts, surrounding the map with an equal amount of margin information on all sides results in an undesirable amount of clutter and lends itself to confusion as to the main focus of the layout.
North Arrow
The north arrow, whether it is fancy or unadorned, has the sole purpose of illustrating the orientation of the map to the viewer. Yes, it is true that most GIS maps are already oriented with north at the top of the layout. However, there are certainly instances where this is not the case and therefore it is standard practice to include the north arrow. Its inclusion on static maps is almost always warranted. Nautical charts and other orienteering maps should show both true north and magnetic north. In fact, these types of maps usually illustrate the directions on a compass rose, rather than