Map Analysis - Erwin Raisz's Map of the Lower Nile
Have a question about creating decorative or fantasy maps? Click here to send Philip your question.
Here is a map of the lower Nile by Erwin Raisz with some close-ups of nice features...
This is a nice map originally printed in "Outline of Geography" by Preson E. James published by Ginn & Company.
Notice the great use of contrast between the black water and the land. Also notice how Raisz used the shape to form a balance. The Gulf of Suez makes a nice diagonal through the map that gives it a sense of dynamic movement. To balance the weight of the black water that dominates the top and right of the map, Raisz has set the legend in the lower left of the map and placed a dark border with heavy weighted lettering for the title and legend entries.
In this close-up of the Gulf of Suez notice how Raisz used his physiography symbols to give a good sense of the landscape accessible to most everyone. This helps to visualize the erosion taking place on the eastern banks of the Red Sea.
Here Raisz uses his physiography symbols to give a sense of the large-scale agriculture taking place in the Nile's delta...
and the constant agriculture along the banks of the entire length of the Nile.
Finally, if you weren't sure what the physiographic symbols represent, Raisz provides a legend that allows the viewer to study each in a reference. Legends are important. Your viewer may be unfamiliar with things you know very well. Provide them a way of discovering more.
Read more mapping articles. Click here to return to the articles list.
What are your mapping problems? Answer a few survey questions and tell me what information you would like me to publish. Click here to fill in the survey.