The role of colours on maps

Maps are one of the most successful and most widely utilised forms of graphical communication. A map is a useful information presenting tool for almost all engineering branches. The presentation of this information is not only for engineering services but also for representation of numerous common subjects to various users. As maps are produced depent on the basis of topographic standarts, they can be produced as thematic maps, based on topographic maps, with different representation techniques. In presentation of the information in addition to symbols, lines and texts, colour is the most important element of a map. Whereas colours make the representations of maps more easily, compherensible and detailed, the use of wrong colours may cause misinterprets and errors. It is agreed that the %90 of stored information in human memory is perceived by eyes. The maps which would be produced, must prepared with standardized and correct colours according to subject and considering the physiological and psychological perceives of human. This study samples how the errors are appeared by users when the wrong colours are used and the different interprettings of same images depending on the colour.