mapmaking patterns

A map cuts up the world. If the extent of the map is smaller than the entire world, it crops the world and may cut up geographic features in strange ways. Even if the map show’s the entire world, it can impose a frame on the world that creates distracting geographies. For example, world maps often show the Aleutian Islands on both the left and right sides of the map.

Your map provides a window on the world. Think about the scene you are creating. Pay attention to the geography along the perimeter of your frame. Define your map extent so that you avoid creating islands, peninsulas, or other new kinds of places simply as artifacts of your framing. When showing the entire world, change your central meridian to avoid cutting up Alaska.