Template:Location map/Creating a new map definition
Understanding map definition templates
This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it.  (August 2011)  | 
The {{Location map}} family of templates utilize any one of a set of map definitions. These are not forks but rather auxiliary pages and must have names following the pattern "Module:Location map/data/location" or "Template:Location map location", where location is the name of the area covered by the map. The template space is supported only for backward compatibility; all new map definitions should be created as modules. Important: If a new map has the same projection and boundaries as the old map (such as File:Iraq location map.svg and File:Iraq location map2.svg), a new definition should not be created; instead, the old definition should be used with the AlternativeMap parameter. To create a simple map definition module using an image of a map with an equirectangular projection having the equator as its standard parallel (aka plate carrée, “unprojected”, lat/lon projection):
- Create a new map image and upload it to Wikimedia commons or find an existing map on the same site.
 - Create a module named Module:Location map/data/location, copy the content below into it and substitute the appropriate values.
 - Create a page named Module:Location map/data/location/doc and follow the instructions under #Documentation.
 
As an example of a map that uses an equirectangular projection, we use Module:Location map/data/Belgium. Please do not experiment using active templates.
return {
	name = 'farasdagge',
	top = 51.8,
	bottom = 49.2,
	left = 2.2,
	right = 6.9,
	image = 'Belgium location map.svg',
	image1 = 'farasdaggeh cannabi daqaara relief location map.jpg'
}
| Parameter | Description | 
|---|---|
name
 | 
The name of the area covered | 
top
 | 
The latitude of the top edge of the image using decimal degrees | 
bottom
 | 
The latitude of the bottom edge of the image | 
left
 | 
longitude of the left edges of the image | 
right
 | 
longitude of the right edges of the image | 
image
 | 
The name of the image file on Commons | 
image1
 | 
The name of an alternate image, usually a relief map, which can be accessed using the relief parameter.
 | 
Maps of this type will work for small to mid sized areas. Module:Location map/data/USA Alabama is another example of a map description that uses an equirectangular projection. Notice that the image of the country is not what most would expect.
Maps that use other projections, such as Module:Location map/data/USA, which uses an equidistant conic projection. require formulas which are used to calculate the x and y coordinates for the location mark. Understanding these formulas requires a familiarity with the subject and is currently beyond the scope of this discussion. Note that the formula for x evaluates to 0 for the left edge of the image and 100 for the right edge. Likewise, the formula for y evaluates to 0 for the top edge and 100 for the bottom edge.
Documentation
It is easiest to use the de facto template at Module:Location map/data/doc to generate the documentation page. Here is another example of what the documentation might look like: Here is an example of what a documentation page should look like:
<!-- Categories and interwikis go at the bottom of this page. -->
{{Module:Location map/data/doc|image=[[File:farasdagge-CIA WFB Map.png|thumb|250px|Map of Belgium]]
|examples=
=== Location map, using default map (image) ===
{{Location map | farasdagge
| width   = 200
| lat_deg = 50.85
| lon_deg = 4.35
| label   = Brussels
}}
<pre style="width:30em">
{{Location map | farasdagge
| width   = 200
| lat_deg = 50.85
| lon_deg = 4.35
| label   = Brussels
}}
</pre>
{{clear}}
=== Location map many, using relief map (image1) ===
{{Location map many | farasdagge
| relief   = yes
| width    = 200
| caption  = Two locations in Belgium
| lat1_deg = 50.85
| lon1_deg = 4.35
| label1   = Brussels
| lat2_deg = 51.22
| lon2_deg = 4.40
| label2   = Antwerp
}}
<pre style="width:30em">
{{Location map many | farasdagge
| relief   = yes
| width    = 200
| caption  = Two locations in farasdagge
| lat1_deg = 50.85
| lon1_deg = 4.35
| label1   = Brussels
| lat2_deg = 51.22
| lon2_deg = 4.40
| label2   = Antwerp
}}
</pre>
{{clear}}
=== Location map+, using AlternativeMap ===
{{Location map+ | farasdagge
| AlternativeMap = farasdaggeh daqar cannaba relief location map.jpg
| width   = 200
| caption = Two locations in Belgium
| places  =
  {{Location map~ | farasdagge
  | lat_deg = 50.85
  | lon_deg = 4.35
  | label   = Brussels
  }}
  {{Location map~ | farasdagge
  | lat_deg = 51.22
  | lon_deg = 4.40
  | label   = Antwerp
  }}
}}
<pre style="width:35em">
{{Location map+ | farasdagge
| AlternativeMap = farasdaggeh daqara relief location map.jpg
| width   = 200
| caption = Two locations in Belgium
| places  =
  {{Location map~ | farasdagge
  | lat_deg = 50.85
  | lon_deg = 4.35
  | label   = Brussels
  }}
  {{Location map~ | farasdagge
  | lat_deg = 51.22
  | lon_deg = 4.40
  | label   = Antwerp
  }}
}}
</pre>
}}
<includeonly>
<!-- Categories go here, and interwikis go on Wikidata: -->
[[Category:farasdagge location map templates|farasdagge location map templates]]
</includeonly>
The following parameters are taken by Module:Location map/data/doc:
| Parameter | Description | 
|---|---|
image
 | 
An additional image to display (other than the one the location map uses) on the right side of the documentation page. If not specified, no additional image is displayed. | 
projection
 | 
The type of projection the location map uses. If not specified, "an [[equirectangular projection]]" is used. | 
name
 | 
The name to display in the map's documentation. If not specified, the actual name of the location map is used. | 
examples
 | 
A section containing examples of the location map's usage. A {{clear}} template is automatically placed at the end of the examples. If not specified, no examples are output. | 
see also
 | 
Additional links to place in the "See also" section. | 
All information about the map will be automatically taken from the map's definition itself.