Map symbol

Map symbols may include point markers, lines, regions, continuous fields, or text; these can be designed visually in their shape, size, color, pattern, and other graphic variables to represent a variety of information about each phenomenon being represented.

Features such as buildings, cities, roads, lakes, and countries are geographic objects that are often portrayed on maps using symbols.

Geographers and cartographers usually categorize properties according to the classification system of Stanley Smith Stevens, or some revision thereof, such as that of Chrisman.

Jacques Bertin, a French cartographer, developed the concept of visual variables in his 1967 book, "Sémiologie Graphique.

"[8] Bertin identified seven main categories of visual variables: position, size, shape, value, color, orientation, and texture/grain.

The most important hierarchy is the thematic symbols and type labels that are directly related to the theme.

From this we see that the symbols are the single most important thing to build a good visual hierarchy that shows proper graphical representation.

When producing a map with good visual hierarchy, thematic symbols should be graphically emphasized.

In this map, the city points, highway lines, and the fill colors of the ocean and different countries are all considered map symbols. These symbols show location, convey information, increase aesthetic appeal, and create a gestalt order to the map.
The dark green patch on this map is an ad hoc symbol for the country of Poland.
National Park standard point symbols, using shape to represent different types of facilities, a nominal variable.
The synergy of Saturation (color vs. gray), value (dark vs. light), and position (centrality) to strongly establish figure-ground and visual hierarchy
Transparency is used effectively here to indicate overlapping sovereignty claims.