Mark S Monmonier - Collected Quotes

"A good map tells a multitude of little white lies; it suppresses truth to help the user see what needs to be seen. Reality is three-dimensional, rich in detail, and far too factual to allow a complete yet uncluttered two-dimensional graphic scale model. Indeed, a map that did not generalize would be useless. But the value of a map depends on how well its generalized geometry and generalized content reflect a chosen aspect of reality." (Mark S Monmonier, "How to Lie with Maps" 2nd Ed., 1996)

"Enhancement adds detail to give map symbols a more realistic appearance. Lines representing streams, for instance, might be given typical meander loops, whereas shorelines might be made to look more coast-like. Enhanced map symbols are more readily interpreted as well as more aesthetic." (Mark S Monmonier, "How to Lie with Maps" 2nd Ed., 1996)

"Graphic scales are not only the most helpful means of communicating map scale but also the safest. An alternative to blind trust in the user's sense of distance and skill in mental arithmetic, the simple bar scale typically portrays a series of conveniently rounded distances appropriate to the map's function and the area covered." (Mark S Monmonier, "How to Lie with Maps" 2nd Ed., 1996)

"Graphic symbols complement map scale and projection by making visible the features, places, and other locational information represented on the map. By describing and differentiating features and places, map symbols serve as a graphic code for storing and retrieving data in a two-dimensional geographic framework." (Mark S Monmonier, "How to Lie with Maps" 2nd Ed., 1996)

"Map projections distort five geographic relationships: areas, angles, gross shapes, distances, and directions. Although some projections preserve local angles but not areas, others preserve areas but not local angles. All distort large shapes noticeably (but some distort continental shapes more than others), and all distort at least some distances and some directions." (Mark S Monmonier, "How to Lie with Maps" 2nd Ed., 1996)

"Maps have three basic attributes: scale, projection, and symbolization. Each element is a source of distortion. As a group, they describe the essence of the map's possibilities and limitations. No one can use maps or make maps safely and effectively without understanding map scales, map projections, and map symbols." (Mark S Monmonier, "How to Lie with Maps" 2nd Ed., 1996)

"Not only is it easy to lie with maps, it's essential. To portray meaningful relationships for a complex, three-dimensional world on a flat sheet of paper or a video screen, a map must distort reality. As a scale model, the map must use symbols that almost always are proportionally much bigger or thicker than the features they represent. To avoid hiding critical information in a fog of detail, the map must offer a selective, incomplete view of reality. There's no escape from the cartographic paradox: to present a useful and truthful picture, an accurate map must tell white lies." (Mark S Monmonier, "How to Lie with Maps" 2nd Ed., 1996)

"Smoothing, which also diminishes detail and angularity, might displace some points and add others to the list. A prime objective of smoothing is to avoid a series of abruptly joined straight line segments." (Mark S Monmonier, "How to Lie with Maps" 2nd Ed., 1996)

"Some maps fail because of the mapmaker's ignorance or oversight. The range of blunders affecting maps includes graphic scales that invite users to estimate distances from world maps, maps based on incompatible sources, misspelled place-names, and graytone symbols changed by poor printing by poor planning. By definition a blunder is not a lie, but the informed map user must be aware of cartographic fallibility; and even of a bit of mischief." (Mark S Monmonier, "How to Lie with Maps" 2nd Ed., 1996)