1. Ancillary data
‘subordinate’ = Information required to explain the display contents

2. Ancillary Info - Map elements
Title
Scale
Legend
Orientation/direction - North arrow
Location – direction & distance indicators, map insets, reference systems
Data sources
Who created the map and when
Border/neatline

3. inadequate ancillary information
inadequate ancillary information

4. 1. Title: map purpose and content: usually at the top [No need for ‘map’]
Required except that … in a book or article, the title may be a caption
Geographic area, type of map data (if not general), and date (if variable)

5. 2. Scale Scale must be given on the map / display
it is usually placed near the bottom of the map
Verbal statement, ratio or graphic bar (best for output)
Use round numbers
Subdivide as appropriate
Use appropriate units e .g. 1000m == 1km

6. Examples of scale bar abuse
The least worst
The worst:
Even worse ? -> (no scale)

7. Do not take software default which includes all layers
3. Legend
Symbols should be in the legend unless explained by lettering
Symbols must appear in legend exactly as on map, same size etc..
symbols on the left, labels on the right
Draw boxes around area symbols
Capitalise the first letter only
lettering should be subdued
The word 'legend' is not always needed - especially if a legend box is used
Do not take software default which includes all layers

8. No ziggie-zaggies …
Line symbols should be a straight or gently curved section

9. Arc Map layout

10. 4. Direction
A North arrow is optional if it is clear that (true) North is to the top
If North is not to the top, a North arrow is a MUST

11. 5. Location Direction and distance indicators
Inset or locator maps, including scale of inset / locator 
Grids showing latitude and longitude 

12. Another poor software default: silly precision

13. 6. Data source
A set of statements usually at the bottom in small text explains how the data were derived, and when: not needed for background general data

14. GIS / digital mapping: ‘Metadata’
Metadata = ‘data about data’ – how, when, where etc.. (often stored in a text file)

15. 7. Overall
Optional 'neatline' around the map as a whole and/or the legend
A rectangle 3 x 2 ('landscape' or 'portrait') is preferred to a square
Use space wisely – don’t cram, don’t waste white space
Item
Best Position
TITLE
what?
Prominent, near top
SCALE
how big?
Near bottom
LEGEND
  what (details)? 
On side, may be boxed
DIRECTION
which way?
Side
LOCATION
where?
Side ticks, or insert
SOURCE
where from?
Very bottom, inconspicuous
LAYOUT
Overall: examples below

16. 7. Layout .. Better, but not great..
See also:

17. Map versus ancillary content: http://mappingcenter.esri.com

19. 1986

20. 1993

21. 1997

22. 2010

23. GEOG205 project map, 2009

24. GEOG205 project map, 2009

26. Recommended website reading