Wikipedia:Graphics Lab/Map workshop

• 
  Existing map of Pemba showing its size relative to the Tanzanian mainland
• 
  Example map showing Kaskazini A District of Unguja. There does not appear to be any map at the municipal level

Article(s)

Pemba

Zanzibar

Unguja

Request

Hi everyone. I'm gonna start this off by saying that this is my first time here, and I'm a little out of my depth with source code maneuvering. I added images here myself, not certain if that was supposed to be filled by the mapmaker upon completion. My assumption was that the slots were meant to be filled with example maps for improvement. If this was incorrect please let me know.

While making some additions to a page on a village in Zanzibar, I realized that there was no article on Shehias, the smallest administrative unit in Tanzania. I further realized that there were no maps specifically outlining the division of those units, and that the vast majority of the maps for Zanzibar are minimized versions of larger maps of Tanzania. Given that the region has a population of almost two million people, and effectively operates as a separate entity given its semi-autonomous status. I've attached a number of copyrighted materials to assist in the creation of (request) enlarged, modernized administrative subdivision maps of Zanzibar (Shehia and District level (ex. Magharibi-A: Dimani, Fumba, Maungani, etc.)

I figure what's provided is enough detail to create a quality map (Unguja and Pemba both together and separately, preferably), but please let me know if this is asking too much, as I recognize it's a rather complicated task. For the immediate moment the most helpful task would be creating an empty canvas style map as shown in reference A for both Pemba and Unguja (as delineated above). If the spirit so moves you, municipal maps of the individual districts with labeled wards (shehias) would be greatly greatly appreciated. My thanks in advance, and utmost respect to the folks here: CSGinger14 (talk) 14:16, 8 January 2026 (UTC)

Discussion

@CSGinger14: Just for my own curiousty I am going to talk this through. Tanzania seems to be divided into Region > District > Constituency (Subdivisions of Tanzania calls them Division) > Ward > Shehia.

Shehia's are administered differently to wards, but maybe they fit within wards. You didn't mention wards in your request. I got this from Unicef Kaskazini-B District profile pp. 2-3 (you linked it above).

Zanzibar is an area of Tanzania with two big islands: Unguja (has three regions: Zanzibar Central/South, Zanzibar North and Zanzibar Urban/West) and Pemba (has two regions: Pemba North and Pemba South).

File:Pemba Island with wards labelled in English.svg (just a demo; not for resale) is a map I quickly made using a government shapefile. I added ward labels just to show how dense it gets (I am currently asking about the copyright on the shapefile on Commons). Other map style examples are Template:Tanzania Regions Labelled Map (map with wikilink labels) and File:Districts in Tanzania 2023.svg (map with colours).

Would you be able to re-state your request? I was thinking an unlabelled map for each big island (it is no bother to also put them on one together too), with colouring like File:Oran communes de la wilaya.GIF for wards within their district.

(Side note: I don't know if I can fulfil this request. I would have much preferred the approach above, but Wikidata doesn't cover the ward system (yet!) and I have emailed OpenSreeetMap about the government shapefile licensing) Commander Keane (talk) 15:21, 9 January 2026 (UTC)

Hi @Commander Keane, thanks so much for the response.

To start with, an unlabeled map like you described would be incredibly helpful. In the long run I was hoping for a format similar to that of File:Fredericksburg-Location.svg, File:USA Colorado location map.svg, or File:Kaskazini A District in Unguja Kaskazini 2022.svg (this last one is more along the lines of what I was picturing). If it ended up looking like the Oran file, that would be perfectly fine as well. The one you've created for Pemba looks excellent, I tried running that shapefile as you had and all I was able to produce was a bunch of data points after I unzipped the package, would love an explanation of how to go about that if you're willing. It may be beneficial to zoom in on Unguja and Pemba specifically, that might help to allow for great enhancement than would be possible if you included the Tanzanian mainland. The look of it was excellent regardless though, it gives a good indication of how the island districts line up to those on the mainland.

'

From what I can tell, Zanzibar's shehia essentially holds the same function as a ward on the mainland. I'm not entirely certain if the two are interchangeable or the latter occasionally subsumes the former. From what I can tell, a ward might only encompass a single shehia or many.* In both instances, they're meant to represent administration at the most basic level. In effect, each shehia (*ward*) encompasses the immediate environs of a given village, or neighborhood, in the case of Stone Town / Ng'ambo. Constituencies serve as the delineations for parliamentary elections (I believe both on the mainland and for the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar). Either wards or shehias are the basis for electing district councils (hence the 'District' demarcations). This site might be helpful to get a clearer picture of the mechanisms involved (After adding that I realized that in fact it has absolutely no information on Zanzibar, go figure!) I'd like to start first with Shehias, given that they appear to be the easiest to find clear cartographic representations of. Eventually this could proceed to the ward system, but I think that given the structure of administration, the former is a good place to start.

Warm regards, and my thanks once again,

CSGinger14 (talk) 06:59, 10 January 2026 (UTC)

Hi CSGinger14.

• How I generated the map (keeping in mind the outstanding copyright concern):
  1. Download 2022 Population and Housing Census - Tanzania Wards (Shapefiles) .zip file from https://www.nbs.go.tz/statistics/topic/gis
  2. Extract into a folder (you need all the files from the .zip)
  3. Using QGIS (free and available on Windows and Linux), start a new project and drag and drop just the .shp file (TANZANIA_2022PHC_WARDS_SHAPEFILES.shp) into QGIS. You can import it without drag/drop, but it not necessarily File/Open so you will have to look that up).
  4. It just worked for me, like magic.
  5. (Optional) There is a single layer. You can right click > properties > Labels side-tab and select Value as ward_name
  6. To save as an SVG, line up the framing you want, then Project > New print layout... (choose a name) > Add map (scroll with addition icon of left) > Drag a rectangle on the canvas (Tanzania should appear)
  7. Layout > Export as SVG.
• The file is called Wards, and the features (shapefile terminology) have ward_name but they are shehias. So yeah, the Bureau is confused about the definition, must be a mainland thing.

I am still thinking about your request.

--Commander Keane (talk) 09:53, 10 January 2026 (UTC)

@CSGinger14: I have uploaded some maps (displayed here). I am having frustrating trouble with my PC so I can't do much more that this. I can walk someone through the process and provide some files if they want to continue working on this data. Commander Keane (talk) 01:38, 22 January 2026 (UTC)

Hi @Commander Keane, sorry for taking so long to respond, and thank you so much, these look excellent. These should work perfectly, and if not (unlikely) I'm certain that they can serve as a high quality launching / reference point for other editors. This is greatly appreciated, and I hope I'll have the chance to work with you on a similar project in the future. Hope you're doing well, and all the best,

CSGinger14 (talk) 10:38, 31 January 2026 (UTC)

@CSGinger14: indeed, I think they are just a starting point. I successfully contacted the Licensing Working Group at OpenStreetMap (the maps are available on any Wikipedia article) and they have given the green light to add the data there. Hopefully someone map-savvy can follow through there, and then it will be simple to illustrate all sorts of Tanzanian administrative areas. I am doing well, and I hope you are too. Commander Keane (talk) 11:07, 31 January 2026 (UTC)

• 
  Northern Yemen
• 
  Southern Yemen
• 
  Orthographic projection of Middle East in the 90's

Article(s)

South Yemen and Yemen Arab Republic.

Request

Hi. I need two svg orthographic projections for South Yemen and Yemen Arab Republic. Both should have etheir northern or southern Yemen in light green, as territory claimed. Like for Ba'athist Syria for example. CC @Abo Yemen:. -- Panam2014 (talk) 12:59, 10 January 2026 (UTC)

Thanks for the ping. I would also like to request a map of South Yemen showing the w:Kamaran island being part of it, per w:South Yemen#Territorial changes 𐩣𐩫𐩧𐩨 Abo Yemen (𓃵) 13:02, 10 January 2026 (UTC)

Source: NYT 𐩣𐩫𐩧𐩨 Abo Yemen (𓃵) 17:00, 12 January 2026 (UTC)

Discussion

To avoid WP:CIRCULAR, I suggest listing reliable sources that show both territories. M.Bitton (talk) 16:41, 12 January 2026 (UTC)

Hi @AAEexecutive, you'll need to place this under a separate request, as your map isn't relevant to this specific discussion. There are instructions at the top of the page on how to go about this.

Best,

CSGinger14 (talk) 18:05, 13 January 2026 (UTC)

I reverted their edit. M.Bitton (talk) 18:21, 13 January 2026 (UTC)

The misplaced message link. @AAEexecutive, I requested an SVG version at Wikimedia Commons: Commons Graphic lab link. I thought they may be more familiar with SVG language conversion. Commander Keane (talk) 03:19, 14 January 2026 (UTC)

@Abo Yemen as you are presumably aware North/South Yemen's borders were always contested and often not properly defined or in a state of flux. What year's boundaries do you want? I have a number of sources:

• https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP85T00314R000100010001-0.pdf (p18)
• https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:South_Yemen-CIA_WFB_Map.png
• https://users.ox.ac.uk/~metheses/Ismail%20Thesis.pdf
• https://maps.lib.utexas.edu/maps/atlas_middle_east/yemen_divisions.jpg
• https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP89S01450R000500500001-7.pdf (p10)
• https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/docs/CIA-RDP88T00096R000800980002-6.pdf (p11)
• Arabian boundary disputes Schofield (vol 20)
• Saudi-Yemeni relations : domestic structures and foreign influence Gregory

– Isochrone (talk) 00:11, 28 January 2026 (UTC)

Hello @Isochrone, I actually need multiple maps from different eras (if you'd call them that). 1st map would be the one of the PRSY from 1967 till 1971, which controlled Kamaran and claimed the Khuriya Muriya Islands and Sharurah (see al-Wadiah War. The 2nd and 3rd maps would be of the territorial changes during the First and Second Yemenite Wars. The last one related to South Yemen (which we already have) would be the post-1979 map. As for the Yemen Arab Republic (North Yemen), a map of the NDF Rebellion is needed.

A map of the FLOSY raids in South Yemen (future article that I'm planning on making) would be really cool to have. I saw a map of it before, but I forgot in which book it was. I'll start looking for it.

Also, is it possible to have a map of the PFLOAG's greatest territorial control of Oman during the Dhofar rebellion? or do I start a new request? 𐩣𐩫𐩧𐩨 Abo Yemen (𓃵) 11:43, 29 January 2026 (UTC)

@Abo Yemen you presumably understand that orthographic maps are designed for clearly identifiable regions and here it would perhaps be more appropriate for a normal map. Do you have any other sources than those I included? Would you like separate maps or one with all the boundaries superimposed and a legend? – Isochrone (talk) 20:31, 2 February 2026 (UTC)

@Isochrone sorry for the late respose. It would be better for the maps to be separate. As for the source for the FLOSY raids, it is Arabia without Sultans by Fred Halliday, page 231 𐩣𐩫𐩧𐩨 Abo Yemen (𓃵) 11:48, 6 February 2026 (UTC)

Article(s)

Tatannuaq

Request

There is currently an FAC for this article and a commentator mentioned that a map of locations should be included. Afterwards, my co-nominator created the map currently in the article, but it is too large and the cropping of the map makes it hard to determine where these locations are in Canada. We are hoping someone can create a better map to use in the article. -- Z1720 (talk) 01:10, 15 January 2026 (UTC)

Discussion

I just want to put in a good word for this request. I'm the reviewer who suggested coming here. I could build something with an OSM-connected mapframe, but it would look like somebody with no artistic skill built it with mapframe. For a FA-level article, I think we need to go the extra distance and get somebody custom-tailored by an artist who really knows they way around cartography. RoySmith (talk) 19:48, 18 January 2026 (UTC)

Hi @RoySmith and @Z1720, do you still want a map for this? If so, what specific components do you want and what do you want highlighted on the map? – Isochrone (talk) 23:12, 27 January 2026 (UTC)

Hi @Isochrone thanks for taking a look at this. I've already gone ahead and created three maps for that article using {{maplink}}, which is pretty much the limit of my skills. I think we're at the stage where the maps I made are good enough to satisfy WP:FACR but I could see ways they could be improved for the future.

The first map, in "Early life" is the simplest since it just shows the three locations discussed in the adjoining text. I think it could be improved by having the locations labeled right on the map instead of having to match up the numbers in the caption. The other two maps ("Coppermine expedition" and "Mackenzie River expedition") share the problem of having to look up numbered items in the caption, but in addition, could benefit from having the dates when the expeditions reached those locations.

And, this being Canada, I think they would all benefit from a better map projection. As far as I know, {{maplink}} can only do Mercator which is not wonderful at these latitudes. RoySmith (talk) 23:31, 27 January 2026 (UTC)

So are we thinking perhaps a static map instead? Or something that somehow fits into the existing maplink framework? (As you note maplink only supports web Mercator). – Isochrone (talk) 23:34, 27 January 2026 (UTC)

I'm guessing a set of hand-drawn static maps will give us the best result. I only used maplink because it's the technology I know (when the only tool you have is a hammer ...) RoySmith (talk) 23:38, 27 January 2026 (UTC)

I can't guarantee it but I'll have a look tomorrow – thanks – Isochrone (talk) 23:55, 27 January 2026 (UTC)

• 
  Map of Iraq's Governorates
• 
  2024 Kurdistan Region election results

Article(s): Map featuring Iraq's Governorates:

• en:Politics of Iraq
• en:Governorates of Iraq
• en:Administrative divisions of Iraq
• en:Iraq
• en:Portal:Iraq/Governorates Image Map
• en:User:Kharbaan Ghaltaan/Iraq
• en:User:Kharbaan Ghaltaan/Iraq !!

Map containg the results of the 2024 Kurdistan Region results:

• en:2024 Kurdistan Region parliamentary elections

Request

Currently, if you download both of these two SVG images that I have provided, you would notice that the Halabja Governorate is actually apart of the Sulaymaniyah Governorate. Instead, I would like for Halabja to be separated from Sulaymaniyah and be distinct parts of each other in said SVG file.

Do note that I copied this request from right here as I didn't see anybody comment on my request. I'm hoping that this time that someone would come here to actually fufill my suggestion on this one. GuesanLoyalist (talk) 12:39, 18 January 2026 (UTC)

@Cmglee: you think you could do this? (Pinging you because I think you're a pretty good expert in SVGs, so you may able to split Halabja and Sulaymaniyah as separate. No pressure though) GuesanLoyalist (talk) 02:20, 4 February 2026 (UTC)

@GuesanLoyalist: I can't quite understand what is requested. I see that the election results diagram has three territories from the northeast of the Governorates diagram. The southernmost one is labelled Al-Sulaymaniyah. I don't see any labelled Halabja. cmɢʟee τaʟκ (please add {{ping|cmglee}} to your reply) 09:04, 4 February 2026 (UTC)

@Cmglee: Halabja is the small pocket-looking governorate (semi-similar to the border of the ACT I guess?), al-Sulaymaniyah (one of the names that sulaymaniyah is called) is the bigger neighboring governorate. Try going on https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e3/Iraqi_Governorates.svg to see it for yourself if you can.

Also: If you download the SVG of both images and open it in a photo editing app, you should see that the border differentiating halabja from sulaymaniyah is a simple line, so please work on that one if possible

That was orignally my request, but I have now figured it out on how to do it by myself, sorry for not responding to you earrier as I thought I had posted this comment to you. turns out I didn't unfortunately :(

GuesanLoyalist (talk) 23:43, 5 February 2026 (UTC)

@GuesanLoyalist: Glad you sorted it out. May I suggest thickening the discs' outlines (stroke) as the KDP discs are hard to see on Erbil as both have the same colour? cmɢʟee τaʟκ (please add {{ping|cmglee}} to your reply) 01:37, 6 February 2026 (UTC)

@Cmglee: So the elected seats per governorate is what you're talking about? I'll do that if possible, I got that sorted! GuesanLoyalist (talk) 02:26, 6 February 2026 (UTC)

@Cmglee Actually... I changed my mind on the seats thing, I like the current borders for said seats but to still try to fulfill your request, I've made the map borders more thicker then before. From 0.5px to 1px specifically. GuesanLoyalist (talk) 02:49, 6 February 2026 (UTC)

@GuesanLoyalist: OK, it's your choice, just commenting that yellow circles on top of a yellow territory aren't very visible. Cheers, cmɢʟee τaʟκ (please add {{ping|cmglee}} to your reply) 06:53, 6 February 2026 (UTC)

Bumping thread. GuesanLoyalist (talk) 06:09, 20 January 2026 (UTC) Bumping thread. GuesanLoyalist (talk) 05:54, 27 January 2026 (UTC)

Bumping thread. GuesanLoyalist (talk) 00:58, 3 February 2026 (UTC)

Graphist opinion(s)

• 
  Global effects of the 1988–1992 revolutions

Article(s)

Revolutions of 1989

Request

Make the following typographical corrections:

• Socialims → Socialism
• Economical liberalization → Economic liberalization
• Startd → started

I would also suggest modifying the text in the legend so that it consistently uses sentence case.

Discussion

– MrPersonHumanGuy (talk) 19:30, 18 January 2026 (UTC)

If someone could list the country codes for each categories, I'd gladly redraw it as an SVG with editable text (and the misspellings fixed!) cmɢʟee τaʟκ (please add {{ping|cmglee}} to your reply) 12:15, 1 February 2026 (UTC)

• 
  Good: Correct area, topo coloring, absence of text labels, presence of country boundaries, drainage basin shown. Bad: border, low resolution.
• 
  Good: Correct area; Bad: border, low resolution, drainage basin shown.; flat coloring.
• 
  Good: correct area; Bad: textual labels; River basin not delineated (with color change).

Article(s)

Nile River

Request

I'm working on the Nile River article, planning to get it to WP:Featured Article status. Of course, a great map is required. I've hunted in Wiki Commons, but cannot find a decent map. The closest I can find are the three images displayed above ... but none of them are great.

I only need one map. I'm displaying three example maps above as examples of "close, but not great".

The desired map would be similar to the first (left) map shown above, with these improvements:

1. Higher resolution: about 1,000 x 3,000 pixels
2. Eliminate the border region around the perimeter (with lat/long numbers) ... not needed

Things about the first map that are great and should be retained:

1. Topographic (elevation) coloring inside the Nile basin
2. Emphasize the Nile River drainage basin by changing color scheme inside/outside the basin
3. Nile river (and its lakes) must prominently displayed in a bold blue color
4. No textual labels at all on the map
5. National boundary lines (should be fairly faint)

Things about the first map that _could_ be changed if it helps the graphist/cartographer:

1. Okay to change the topo/elevation coloring to another scheme
2. Okay to eliminate the elevation/topo legend/key

Thanks so much for any help you can provide!!! -- Noleander (talk) 04:23, 28 January 2026 (UTC)

Discussion

I'm looking into this. M.Bitton (talk) 21:46, 28 January 2026 (UTC)

@Noleander: when do you need it by? M.Bitton (talk) 13:56, 11 February 2026 (UTC)

@M.Bitton - I plan on nominating the Nile article for Featured Article status in April/May. So having the map in mid-March should give me time to place annotations on top of it (dams, cataracts, tourist sights, etc) in time for the FA nomination. I don't need help with placing annotations on top: I just need a hi-resolution background map (as described above). Any help you can give would be appreciated! Noleander (talk) 14:00, 11 February 2026 (UTC)

 Request taken by M.Bitton (talk) 15:12, 11 February 2026 (UTC).

@M.Bitton - Another editor spontaneously created a map for the Nile article, so this request can be closed. If you invested any time starting to build a Nile map, I apologize ...but it would not be wasted time: The article is large, and will need about four maps before I can take it to WP:FA, so if you have a partially completed map, I'm happy to take it and make it work. Thanks for offering to help ... much appreciated! Noleander (talk) 18:05, 26 February 2026 (UTC)

@Noleander: I'll notify you when it's finished. M.Bitton (talk) 21:50, 26 February 2026 (UTC)

Roger. Noleander (talk) 23:33, 26 February 2026 (UTC)

• 
  1947 Liverpool Corporation Tramways geographic network map

Article(s)

Liverpool Corporation Tramways

Request

Map that is vectorized and with labels other than in Dutch (English) -- Darrelljon (talk) 13:20, 3 February 2026 (UTC)

Discussion

• Bathymetry of Macauley Island
  Bathymetry of Macauley Island
• Map of Macauley Island with landforms
  Map of Macauley Island with landforms

Article(s)

Macauley Island

Request

There is a bathymetric map here but I was never certain if the CC licence there actually applies to a work that is only partially NOAA's. Regarding the landforms, I think "de Lange, Peter J. (2015). "Recent vegetation succession and flora of Macauley Island, southern Kermadec Islands". Bulletin of the Auckland Museum (20): 207–230 – via ResearchGate" has some sources. -- Jo-Jo Eumerus (talk) 12:12, 4 February 2026 (UTC)

Discussion

The page states "This image is made available as a Public Domain Work" which means it's likely ok. Even if the data is proprietary, its depiction can be free, if released as public domain. cmɢʟee τaʟκ (please add {{ping|cmglee}} to your reply) 01:46, 6 February 2026 (UTC)

Article(s)

Eustace II of Boulogne, Eustace III of Boulogne, Matilda of Boulogne

Request

I would be very grateful for a map that shows the County of Boulogne and the County of Lens together with the Honour of Boulogne (estates in England belonging to the count of Boulogne). The source is the maps in Heather Tanner's Families, Friends and Allies: Boulogne and Politics in Northern France and England, c.879-1160. A part of her map of France can be seen here; I think it is about sufficient. Ideally the new map will contain the feudal subdivisions of France shown in this source map (but perhaps best omit the numbers denoting divisions outside the chosen part of the map). Here is the part of Tanner's map of England that contains the English estates. Surtsicna (talk) 14:03, 6 February 2026 (UTC)

Discussion