New Map Graphics of Topographic Maps of the Republic of Croatia

future leading to the so much necessary standardisation of map graphics on official maps. 2. MAP GRAPHICS Map graphics is a special way of presenting spatial objects. It is a system of symbols consisting of map symbols and of mutual relationship of symbols (syntactic dimension), the relationship of symbols according to the presented objects (semantic dimension) and the relationship of a user according to the symbols (pragmatic dimension). Today the map graphics can be realised with the help of computers in at least equal or even higher quality than the one made with manual or photomechanical procedures. The usage of modern hardware and software yields a series of new possibilities. 2.1. Ingredient parts of map graphics on topographic maps There is a great quantity of information presented on topographic maps relating to real, visible, general geographic or topographic objects. Relief features, water bodies, vegetation, settlements, traffic routes and borders are equally important on topographic maps. The map graphics on topographic maps contains basic geometric and graphic elements: points, lines and areas, and the map signs that we call symbols when they are applied for the presentation of object position and ABSTRACT. In the Republic of Croatia, new topographic maps are just being produced, prima-rily at the scale of 1:25 000. The Military Topo-graphic Map is being made for the Ministry of Defence according to the existing manual Topo-graphic symbols from 1993. For civil needs, the Topographic Map is made at the scale of 1:25 000 according to the new, officially not yet adopted collection of symbols Map Key from 1998. The paper points out the importance of changing the map graphics of topographic maps according to the modern communication and visualisation of space