GIS Cartography

Written by Gretchen N. Peterson, GIS Cartography: A Guide to Effective Map Design, 4th Edition, is an academic textbook published by CRC Press in 2025. The publication provides comprehensive instruction on designing clear, informative spatial graphics, helping mapmakers connect fundamental visual principles directly with geographic information systems workflows across digital and print formats.

The text structures cartographic decision-making into distinct visual elements and operational phases. Primary subjects encompass page layout design, fonts and labeling conventions, color theory, map projections, and static map styling. Additional chapters examine multiscale design principles, dynamic cartography techniques, four-dimensional mapping approaches, hybrid map styling, and practical methods for finding creative inspiration during production.

To reinforce abstract design concepts, the textbook incorporates over 200 figures and maps as direct visual reference points. The volume provides tailored instructional material suitable for undergraduate students, graduate students, and practicing GIS and cartography professionals who build spatial representations across academic and technical disciplines.