mapmaking patterns

Maps that crop geographic extent by the border of their focal region create the illusion of islands, suggest isolationism and fail to improve geographic literacy among map readers. But providing the same amount of detail for the bordering regions as the focus region may distract from the visual hierarchy and purpose of the map.

Suggest shared political borders, coastlines, rivers, lakes and other boundaries/linkages between the focus region and neighbors by briefly extending these features into the neighboring space. Label the name of the region. This will help convey concepts of adjacency, connectedness and identity. It’s a minimalist approach to facilitating geographic literacy.