Wikipedia:Using maps and analogous media: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 16:34, 8 May 2012

Revision as of 16:59, 8 May 2012

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{{Essay}}

{{Nutshell|[[Map|Maps]] and [[Line chart|Line Charts]] that are used as illustrations follow the same rules as pictures that are used as illustrations|Maps and line charts may be used as sources, but the rules [[WP:V|Verifiability]], and [[WP:NOR|No original research]] still apply.|It is not [[WP:OR|Original Research]] to extract information from a map or line chart using standard techniques, particularly if those techniques are common to two or more disciplines.}}

[[File:1930 D&RGW WP.jpg|thumb|300px|This map is a commercial map of the [[Denver and Rio Grande Western]] and [[Western Pacific Railroad]]s as they existed in 1914. This map has been used appropriately in many wikipedia articles, both as a source and as illustration. The map is a valuable resource, showing the route and interconnection of the two railroads advertised, the route of their primary rivals, and several long abandoned and nearly forgotten [[short line railroad]]s and mining [[boomtown]]s in the [[western United States]]. However, the map's limitations should also be understood. ItComparing isthis amap with others will reveal that this commercial map and is drawn on a slightlyan distortedinconsistent scale, perhaps to minimize the fact the competing [[Overland Route (Union Pacific Railroad)|Overland Route]] is significantly shorter than the route of the railroads advertised.]]

Any map or line chart used in Wikipedia should conform with Wikipedia's policies of [[WP:neutrality|neutrality]], [[WP:reliability|reliability]] and [[WP:verifiability|verifiability]]. Maps can be used for two purposes in Wikipedia articles, as sources or as illustration. Regardless of the point of using a map in an article, the following points should be kept in mind:

*The presence of an object on a map is not sufficient by itself to show [[WP:notability|notability]] of a subject.