Map Display

The Map Frame

A map frame is the outline of the limits of a map. The shape of the frame is characteristic of the projection.

Map and Frame Limits

The map latitude and longitude limits define the extents of geodata to be displayed. The frame limits control how the frame fits around the displayed data.

Map Limit Properties

Map limits have properties that provide a convenient and intuitive way to specify your map projection origin and frame limits. Learn how to set these properties, and when you should avoid the properties.

Plot Regions of Robinson Frame and Grid Using Map Limits

This example shows how to plot four smaller regions of Robinson frame and grid using map limits.

The Map Grid

The map grid is the display of meridians and parallels. The spacing and curvature of the grid lines are characteristic of the projection.

Set Background Colors for Map Displays

You can set the background of maps to white, or to a custom color by specifying a color triplet. You can change the default map background color.

Scale Maps for Printing

To ensure your map can be printed correctly, you can specify the ratio between distances on a map and length on a sheet of paper.

Map Annotations

North Arrows

North arrows orient a map by indicating the direction of the geographic North Pole.

Inset Maps

Inset maps are often used to display widely separated areas, or to provide context to a map by including overviews at smaller scales.

Graphic Scales

Graphic scales are ruler-like objects that show distances on the ground at the nominal scale of the projection.

Use Geographic and Nongeographic Objects in Map Axes

This example shows how to plot geographic and nongeographic objects. The example compares the plot of the objects in a map axes to the plot in a standard MATLAB^® graphics axes.

Create Text Annotations on a Map Interactively

You can interactively place text annotations by clicking on a map display.