karttakuvina

Karttakuvina, literally “map pictures,” is a Finnish term describing the use of pictorial imagery to represent geographic information on maps. The phrase is used to discuss how maps convey meaning through visuals beyond traditional lines and symbols.

In practice, karttakuvina encompasses pictograms, icons, illustrations, and pictorial symbols used on maps to convey features such as landmarks, terrain, and routes. It covers both the design of map illustrations and the visual encoding of data in a map product. The concept sits at the intersection of cartography, graphic design, and geographic information systems (GIS).

The idea has roots in illustrated and pictorial maps produced by publishers and travelers, and it has evolved with advances in printing, digital cartography, and GIS technology. Modern karttakuvina includes illustrated or semi-illustrated maps, tourist maps showing local sights as drawings, and infographics integrated into geographic displays.

The term is primarily used in Finnish-language contexts and can appear in design and education discussions about how to present geographic information in a legible and engaging way. It reflects broader interests in communicating spatial data through accessible and visually appealing map representations.