Map-Text Coordination in Geographic Writing

Conventional practices in positioning maps within books and journals and in referencing illustrations from the text tend to discourage the reader's careful examination of supporting graphics. By actively pursuing a close coordination of maps and text, both author and editor can improve the communication of geographic facts and ideas. Future developments in computer-assisted cartography will also promote this coordination. The professional press should reconsider dysfunctional stylistic guidelines that might inhibit authors from more completely directing the attention of their readers.