Map Label Style Manual

#Names

When we cannot fit the full, formal name of feature we can often label a shorter version.

For example: "USA" is an abbreviation of "United States of America".

For over 3,000 abbreviations for general map features and roads, and couple thousand city nicknames specifically:

• name_abbreviations/abbreviations.ods
• name_abbreviations/abbreviations.tsv
• name_nicknames/city_nicknames.tsv
• name_nicknames/city_nicknames.readme

#Placements

Once we have a collection of long label and shorter fallback label, we need to actually try placing them on the map.

• geometry_type/linear_feature_label_rules.md
• geometry_type/point_feature_label_rules.md
• geometry_type/area_feature_label_rules.md
• geometry_type/page_layout.md

#Type Styles

Use more than one font face, style, size, and color:

• Tk tk tk

#Tools

We include several python scripts in the tools directory for implementing the label and abbreviation logic described in this repo.

• Street name abbrevations

#Related software projects

• Dymo - Map point label placer with simulated annealing.
• Skeletron - Generalizes collections of lines. Useful for 2x carriageway roads (like divided highways or boulevards).
• Mapnik 2.0 -

#Further reading

• National Geographic Style Manual - Type styles, translation of common terms, proper nouns, titles, plurals, phrases, and diacritical marks. Also see NG Abbreviations.

• Webster's Geographical Dictionary - Convenient alphabetical listing of more than 54,000 entries

#About

By Nathaniel Vaughn Kelso with assists form Mike Migurski.