Tell me more ×
Geographic Information Systems Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for cartographers, geographers and GIS professionals. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 1 down vote favorite

What would you call the polygon corresponding to a coastline theme? Land mass? It corresponds to continents and islands, but I'm not sure about the best word. The opposite of the sea.

share|improve this question
What do you need the name for? For a legend? If it's for a legend, I wouldn't even have continents/land masses there because it's obvious which is which (given that water is generally blue and continents other colours), especially if it's at a global scale. – Emily Apr 19 '12 at 15:27
3  
"Best" word for what purpose? I imagine the answer will vary depending on application and audience. In general, "land mass" has a specific meaning including the idea of contiguity as well as large, which seems to rule it out when you want to include islands. A generic solution--but who knows whether it's "best" in your application--is simply "land". – whuber♦ Apr 19 '12 at 15:28
I want to refer to it in the same way as I can have a road theme, city boundary etc. – Uffe Kousgaard Apr 19 '12 at 15:31
So you'd have different cartographies for each type of land mass? – Emily Apr 19 '12 at 15:34
no, this may not even be related to a map. I am just trying to find a better word than coastline, since it isn't the line, but the land mass that I want to describe – Uffe Kousgaard Apr 19 '12 at 15:37
show 2 more comments

1 Answer

up vote 1 down vote accepted

In terms of referring to continents and islands thematically, I would choose land mass, even though it implies something bigger than islands. If it were a theme in a legend, I would write "land masses" (as there are different types). I don't think there's anything else you can use.

edit: In terms of the coastline issue, I think coast would be a word for the 'area' or even shore, or even oceanfront/seafront/lakefront.

share|improve this answer

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.