How to Cite a Map in APA, MLA & Chicago Format (2026 Guide)

Maps are essential sources for research papers in geography, history, urban planning, environmental science, and many other fields. But citing them correctly? That's where most students get stuck.

Whether you're referencing a Google Maps screenshot, a historical atlas, or a topographic survey map, each citation style has specific rules you need to follow.

This guide covers everything you need to know about citing maps in APA, MLA, and Chicago format—with clear examples for every type of map you might use.

Table of Contents

• Why Map Citations Matter
• How to Cite a Map in APA Format
• How to Cite a Map in MLA Format
• How to Cite a Map in Chicago Format
• How to Cite Google Maps
• How to Cite Historical Maps
• Common Map Citation Mistakes to Avoid
• FAQ

Why Map Citations Matter

Maps aren't just illustrations—they're sources of data. When you use a map to support your argument about population density, urban sprawl, geological features, or historical boundaries, you need to give credit to the cartographer or organization that created it.

Failing to cite maps properly can result in:

• Plagiarism accusations — Using visual data without attribution
• Lost credibility — Professors question your research rigor
• Lower grades — Citation errors are easy points lost

The good news? Once you understand the basic format, citing maps becomes straightforward.

How to Cite a Map in APA Format

APA 7th edition treats maps as a type of visual work. The format depends on whether the map is printed, online, or part of a larger work.

Basic APA Map Citation Format

Reference list:

Cartographer Last Name, First Initial. (Year). Title of map [Map]. Publisher. URL

In-text citation:

(Cartographer Last Name, Year)

APA Map Citation Examples

Online map from an organization:

U.S. Geological Survey. (2024). Yellowstone National Park topographic map [Map]. https://www.usgs.gov/yellowstone-map

In-text: (U.S. Geological Survey, 2024)

Print map:

National Geographic Society. (2023). World political map [Map]. National Geographic Partners.

In-text: (National Geographic Society, 2023)

Map from a database:

Esri. (2025). Global population density [Map]. ArcGIS Online. https://www.arcgis.com/population-density

In-text: (Esri, 2025)

Historical map:

Ortelius, A. (1570). Theatrum orbis terrarum [Map]. Gilles Coppens de Diest.

In-text: (Ortelius, 1570)

APA In-Text Citation Tips for Maps

When referencing a specific element of a map in your text:

• "According to the USGS topographic map (2024), the elevation change..."
• "Figure 1 shows population distribution (Esri, 2025)"

How to Cite a Map in MLA Format

MLA 9th edition is more flexible but requires specific elements to be present.

Basic MLA Map Citation Format

Works Cited:

Cartographer Last Name, First Name. "Title of Map." Publisher, Year. Medium.

For online maps, add the URL at the end.

MLA Map Citation Examples

Print map:

National Geographic Society. "Africa: Political." National Geographic Partners, 2024. Map.

Online map:

Google Maps. "Central Park, New York." Google, 2026, www.google.com/maps/place/Central+Park.

Map in an atlas:

"Climate Zones of Asia." Oxford Atlas of the World, edited by Keith Lye, Oxford UP, 2023, pp. 45-46. Map.

Historical map from a digital archive:

Colton, G. W. "Colton's Map of the United States." Library of Congress, 1855, www.loc.gov/item/98688372/. Map.

MLA In-Text Citation for Maps

MLA uses author-page format, but maps typically don't have page numbers:

• According to the National Geographic political map...
• (Google Maps)
• ("Climate Zones of Asia")

How to Cite a Map in Chicago Format

Chicago style offers two systems: Notes-Bibliography (common in humanities) and Author-Date (common in sciences). Here's both.

Chicago Notes-Bibliography Format

Footnote/Endnote:

1. Cartographer First Last, "Title of Map" (Place: Publisher, Year), medium.

Bibliography:

Last, First. "Title of Map." Place: Publisher, Year. Medium.

Chicago Author-Date Format

Reference list:

Last, First. Year. "Title of Map." Place: Publisher.

In-text:

(Last Year)

Chicago Map Citation Examples

Notes-Bibliography:

Footnote:

1. Rand McNally, "Road Atlas of the United States" (Chicago: Rand McNally, 2025), map.

Bibliography:

Rand McNally. "Road Atlas of the United States." Chicago: Rand McNally, 2025. Map.

Author-Date:

Reference:

Rand McNally. 2025. "Road Atlas of the United States." Chicago: Rand McNally.

In-text: (Rand McNally 2025)

Online map in Chicago:

Footnote:

1. "Manhattan Street Map," Google Maps, accessed May 5, 2026, https://www.google.com/maps/place/Manhattan.

How to Cite Google Maps

Google Maps deserves its own section because it's the most commonly used map source—and the most commonly mis-cited.

Key Points for Google Maps Citations

1. There's no individual author — Use "Google Maps" as the author/creator
2. Include access date — Maps can change; note when you viewed it
3. Capture the specific view — Use the share link for reproducibility
4. Screenshots need citations — Even if you embed an image, cite the source

Google Maps Citation Examples

APA:

Google Maps. (2026). Downtown Seattle [Map]. Retrieved May 5, 2026, from https://www.google.com/maps/place/Downtown+Seattle

MLA:

Google Maps. "Downtown Seattle." Google, 2026, www.google.com/maps/place/Downtown+Seattle. Accessed 5 May 2026.

Chicago (Notes-Bibliography):

Footnote:

1. "Downtown Seattle," Google Maps, accessed May 5, 2026, https://www.google.com/maps/place/Downtown+Seattle.

Citing Google Maps Street View

Street View citations should specify that you used Street View:

APA:

Google Maps. (2023). Times Square [Street View map]. Retrieved May 5, 2026, from https://www.google.com/maps/@40.758,-73.9855,3a,75y

How to Cite Historical Maps

Historical maps require extra attention because they often come from archives, have multiple dates (creation vs. publication), and may have uncertain authorship.

What to Include for Historical Maps

• Original cartographer (if known)
• Original date of creation
• Title (use original language when possible)
• Archive or repository where you accessed it
• Digital collection URL (if accessed online)

Historical Map Citation Examples

APA:

Mercator, G. (1569). Nova et aucta orbis terrae descriptio ad usum navigantium emendate accommodata [Map]. Bibliothèque nationale de France. https://gallica.bnf.fr/mercator

MLA:

Mercator, Gerardus. "Nova et aucta orbis terrae descriptio ad usum navigantium emendate accommodata." 1569. Bibliothèque nationale de France, gallica.bnf.fr/mercator. Historical map.

Chicago:

Footnote:

1. Gerardus Mercator, "Nova et aucta orbis terrae descriptio," 1569, Bibliothèque nationale de France, https://gallica.bnf.fr/mercator.

Common Map Citation Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Treating All Maps as Images

Maps are created works that require full citations, not just figure captions. Always include a reference list entry.

Mistake 2: Forgetting Access Dates for Online Maps

Online maps update frequently. If you cited a Google Maps view of a construction site, that view might not exist next month. Always note when you accessed it.

Mistake 3: Not Specifying Map Type

Different types of maps (topographic, political, satellite, thematic) may need to be specified in your citation, especially if it's relevant to your argument.

Mistake 4: Using Screenshot Without Citation

Taking a screenshot doesn't make the map "yours." You still need to cite the source, even if the image is embedded in your paper.

Mistake 5: Missing Publisher for Print Maps

Print maps from organizations like National Geographic or USGS still need publisher information—don't assume it's obvious.

FAQ

Do I need to cite a map if I made it myself?

If you created the map using your own data and design, you don't need a citation—but you should label it as your own work (e.g., "Map created by author using QGIS"). If you used data from another source to create the map, cite that source.

How do I cite a map from an app like Apple Maps?

Treat it similarly to Google Maps:

Apple Maps. (2026). San Francisco Financial District [Map]. Apple Inc. Retrieved May 5, 2026.

Can I cite satellite imagery from Google Earth?

Yes. Google Earth is typically cited as:

Google Earth. (2026). Satellite view of Amazon Rainforest [Satellite image]. Retrieved May 5, 2026, from https://earth.google.com/

What if the map has no date?

Use "n.d." (no date) in APA, or omit the date in MLA while noting this in brackets if needed.

How do I cite a map in a PowerPoint or presentation?

Add a small citation below or beside the map image, then include the full citation in your references slide or handout.

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