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4
Map Composition and Layout
Introduction
The change from paper to an interactive medium has implications for map
design far beyond map elements. It has altered how maps can be designed
and organized. The purpose of this chapter is to get you thinking about
online Web map composition and layout. Map composition deals primarily
with a map’s visual hierarchy; it is the process of deciding which map ele-
ments, and components within the map area, to emphasize and promote over
others to best communicate your message to map users. Web map layout
is intrinsically tied to decisions you make about your map’s composition.
However, layout specically d ...