I had wanted to write something about WoW, but I couldn't gather just enough thoughts for that yet. Instead I'll start a series about some analyses and ideas concerning map layers. This will hence be the first part of this series, but don't expect the next post to necessarily be the next part. I could have several other posts in between, but, as with all series I will create in the future, I'll put links to the other parts of the same series on the bottom of the post as I write them, allowing you to quickly jump from one to another.
Now, onto the main topic. What do I mean with map layers? Basically, it's what kind of information is showed on a map. When most people think of a map, they can name (or not name, but describe) a few different kinds: geographical, topographic, geopolitical, and political. That about sums up the most commonly seen kinds of maps.
What is a map anyway? This question might seem very simple, until you notice that lots of things are called maps. There's a lot more to this simple word than it first seems. Basically, maps are documents that show the layout of a certain area. They are representations. But it has to be said that maps are always imperfect. Because maps are always smaller than what they show, there will always be some lack or inaccuracy of information lost from the conversion of real world to diagram. If a map were to be perfect, it would have to be the same size (or even bigger) than the area it's showing, thereby defeating its purpose. So there's a funky little 'map paradox' that states: "For a map to be efficient, it will have to be imperfect."
Just think about that for a second.
Before I go into the different types in more detail, first things first. Why am I writing this anyway? Well, when anyone creates a world, sooner or later (for most, sooner than later), they will need/create a map. Many people herald maps as great helping tools, they make working on a world easier, people can look at a map and know what's up, and so on and so forth. However, there are many different kinds of maps, each showing different information. I call these 'layers' because each such layer is a group of information that cannot be on the same 'base map' (pretty much just lines that separate water from land) at the same time. You have to apply each layer separately, mostly by having more than one map.
In essence, the 'base map' is just coastal lines, the 'layer' is the type of information to be put on, and the 'map' is the finished piece of paper.
My thinking now is, what kinds of layers are there? Which ones can be combined, which ones are mutually exclusive? Which help a lot, which are very complicated, of which can there be more than one version (all applicable to the same world)? So how can someone who creates worlds use map layers to show specific information, how to help themselves? And, how would I go about creating different layers?
These guiding questions are probably not complete, and I'll get more ideas as I write future parts of this series, but they're a good start.
The final objective of this introduction is to identify different types of layers that I can analyze later on. It's a quick list with the most common and most interesting types, and I might add more later, but I've got to have something to start with.
Geopolitical
This is probably the most common type of map there is. It shows the general topography (mountains, rivers, valleys, and such) along with country borders and cities.
Topographical
This type of map only shows what a blank 3D image of the land would be like. Mountains, valleys, rivers, islands, and the base terrain, plus names, is on this kind of map.
Political
Lots of worlds maps are of this type, where every country is clearly marked and colored in with different colors.
Landscape/Geographical
This map would show forests, plains, deserts, ice, and such. It can be both actual maps (that is, drawings representing the real area) or satellite images.
Agricultural
How different parts of the land are used, what is grown there, basically any information regarding the primary sector of economy.
Demographic
There can be all sorts of demographic layers, such as population, language, energy use, stress level, pollution. Heck, even the above agricultural map could be counted in here, but I took it out because it's possibly the most often used kind of demographic layer (next to languages and population, maybe).
Historical
Strictly speaking, this isn't really a layer, but rather an adaption of different layers into the past. Essentially, all maps are historic, unless they were updated every instant, since time will have past from the creation of the map to now (even if that's just a day or a week).
Well, that'll give me enough stuff to analyze and talk about in any upcoming parts of this series. Until my next post,
Qi
Part 1 (Introduction) - Part 2 (Geopolitical)
Now, onto the main topic. What do I mean with map layers? Basically, it's what kind of information is showed on a map. When most people think of a map, they can name (or not name, but describe) a few different kinds: geographical, topographic, geopolitical, and political. That about sums up the most commonly seen kinds of maps.
What is a map anyway? This question might seem very simple, until you notice that lots of things are called maps. There's a lot more to this simple word than it first seems. Basically, maps are documents that show the layout of a certain area. They are representations. But it has to be said that maps are always imperfect. Because maps are always smaller than what they show, there will always be some lack or inaccuracy of information lost from the conversion of real world to diagram. If a map were to be perfect, it would have to be the same size (or even bigger) than the area it's showing, thereby defeating its purpose. So there's a funky little 'map paradox' that states: "For a map to be efficient, it will have to be imperfect."
Just think about that for a second.
Before I go into the different types in more detail, first things first. Why am I writing this anyway? Well, when anyone creates a world, sooner or later (for most, sooner than later), they will need/create a map. Many people herald maps as great helping tools, they make working on a world easier, people can look at a map and know what's up, and so on and so forth. However, there are many different kinds of maps, each showing different information. I call these 'layers' because each such layer is a group of information that cannot be on the same 'base map' (pretty much just lines that separate water from land) at the same time. You have to apply each layer separately, mostly by having more than one map.
In essence, the 'base map' is just coastal lines, the 'layer' is the type of information to be put on, and the 'map' is the finished piece of paper.
My thinking now is, what kinds of layers are there? Which ones can be combined, which ones are mutually exclusive? Which help a lot, which are very complicated, of which can there be more than one version (all applicable to the same world)? So how can someone who creates worlds use map layers to show specific information, how to help themselves? And, how would I go about creating different layers?
These guiding questions are probably not complete, and I'll get more ideas as I write future parts of this series, but they're a good start.
The final objective of this introduction is to identify different types of layers that I can analyze later on. It's a quick list with the most common and most interesting types, and I might add more later, but I've got to have something to start with.
Geopolitical
This is probably the most common type of map there is. It shows the general topography (mountains, rivers, valleys, and such) along with country borders and cities.
Topographical
This type of map only shows what a blank 3D image of the land would be like. Mountains, valleys, rivers, islands, and the base terrain, plus names, is on this kind of map.
Political
Lots of worlds maps are of this type, where every country is clearly marked and colored in with different colors.
Landscape/Geographical
This map would show forests, plains, deserts, ice, and such. It can be both actual maps (that is, drawings representing the real area) or satellite images.
Agricultural
How different parts of the land are used, what is grown there, basically any information regarding the primary sector of economy.
Demographic
There can be all sorts of demographic layers, such as population, language, energy use, stress level, pollution. Heck, even the above agricultural map could be counted in here, but I took it out because it's possibly the most often used kind of demographic layer (next to languages and population, maybe).
Historical
Strictly speaking, this isn't really a layer, but rather an adaption of different layers into the past. Essentially, all maps are historic, unless they were updated every instant, since time will have past from the creation of the map to now (even if that's just a day or a week).
Well, that'll give me enough stuff to analyze and talk about in any upcoming parts of this series. Until my next post,
Qi
Part 1 (Introduction) - Part 2 (Geopolitical)
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