GIS Dictionary >  neatline

GIS Dictionary

Definitions for GIS terms related to operations such as analysis, GIS modeling and web-based GIS, cartography, and Esri software.

Now available for purchase: A to Z GIS: An illustrated dictionary of geographic information systems.

neatline

1. [cartography] The border delineating and defining the extent of geographic data on a map. It demarcates map units so that, depending on the map projection, the neatline does not always have 90-degree corners. In a properly made map, it is the most accurate element of the data; other map features may be moved slightly or exaggerated for generalization or readability, but the neatline is never adjusted.