5  Composing map layouts

Map composition (layout) is realized in the Layout Composer.

Exercise: Compose the map layout of neonatal mortality rate in Cambodia (number of deaths during the first 28 completed days of life per 1,000 live births in a given year or period)

Data available here: https://opendevelopmentcambodia.net/dataset/?id=cambodia-demographic-and-health-survey-2010

• First you need to render and symbolize your data in the map canvas as you want them to appear in a the map layout

• Create a Print Layout

  • Project → New Print Layout…
  • Give a name to your layout and click OK
  • A right-click on the white page allows to open Page properties and set up the page size (for example A4 landscape)

• Add your map:

  • Go to “Add item” Menu / Add Map or Click the button “Add a new map to the layout”
  • Draw the extent of map on your canvas
  • The map from your QGIS is displayed
  • Use the “Move item content” button to move your map within its box
  • You can check “Lock layers” and “Lock styles for layers” to fix your map
  • You can redo add map to add a second one. Then, you need to go back to GIS main window to choose the display of your map canvas you want to show in the second map

• Add a scale bar:

  • Go to “Add item” Menu / Add Scale Bar
  • Place your scale bar on the map
  • When the scale bar is selected, you can adjust its properties in the Item Properties window
  • Choose the style of the scale par in “Main properties”
  • Choose the Units: here: 1 km
  • Choose the number of Segments: here 50 units
  • You can further adjust fonts, margins, etc.

• Add a legend:

  • Go to “Add item” Menu → Add Legend
  • Place your legend on the map
  • When the legend is selected, you can adjust its properties in the Item Properties window
  • In the Legend items: uncheck “Auto update” to remove some parts of the legend or reorder
  • You can double-click on a layer name to modify it
  • You can further adjust fonts, margins, etc.
  • You can further adjust fonts, margins, etc.

• Add a North arrow:

  • You can further adjust fonts, margins, etc.
  • Place the picture on the map
  • In the “Search Directories”, look for a compass or North arrow

• Add Text for title, sources, etc.

  • Add Text for title, sources, etc.

• Export maps:

  • In the Layout tab, should the export resolution (300 dpi is advised for fine printing)
  • In the Layout tab, should the export resolution (300 dpi is advised for fine printing)