A good map should communicate more than just a satellite image. A map layout normally includes important elements such as a title, legend, scale, north arrow, and useful descriptive information. Google Earth Pro provides a convenient way to arrange these elements and save the result as a map image.
This can be useful for reports, presentations, fieldwork, preliminary site studies, and other mapping tasks. Google confirms that Google Earth Pro's Save Image feature allows users to configure map options, including the title, legend, text size, and image resolution.
What Is a Map Layout?
A map layout is the organised presentation of a map and its supporting information.
A basic layout can contain:
- Map title – identifies what the map shows
- Legend – explains symbols and mapped layers
- Scale – indicates the relationship between map distance and ground distance
- North arrow/compass – indicates orientation
- Description – provides additional information about the map
For example, a map showing water sources could have the title “Water Sources in Songea Municipal”, a legend showing different source types, and a scale and north indicator.
Prepare Your Map in Google Earth Pro
Before creating the layout, first prepare the map you want to export.
Open Google Earth Pro and navigate to your study area. Adjust the zoom level and viewing angle until the area is displayed appropriately.
You can also add geographic information such as:
- Placemark points
- Paths
- Polygons
- KML files
- KMZ files
Google Earth Pro supports importing geographic data, including points, lines, paths, and polygons.
If you also need to learn image overlay on top of Google Earth, see our guide on How to Add an Image Overlay in Google Earth Pro, where we help to understand the correlation between image and coordinate of a place.
How to Create a Layout Map
Step 1: Open the Save Image Tool
When your map is ready, go to:
File → Save → Save Image
You can also use the Save Image button on the toolbar. Google officially recommends this function for saving a prepared map view.
A map-saving toolbar will appear above the map.
Step 2: Open Map Options
Select Map Options.
This is where you can control which map elements appear in the exported image.
Google Earth Pro allows you to select the elements you want to include and adjust the size of the title, description, and legend.
Step 3: Add a Map Title
Enable the Title option and enter a meaningful title.
For example:
LAND USE MAP OF SONGEA MUNICIPAL
A good title should tell the reader immediately what the map represents.
Avoid titles such as “My Map” because they provide no useful information.
Step 4: Add a Legend
The legend helps readers understand the symbols and layers displayed on the map.
If you have added KML or KMZ layers, make sure the required layers are visible before saving the map.
The legend can be updated based on the map information you have displayed. Google notes that the saved image can include the legend and other map information configured through Map Options.
Step 5: Add the Scale
Enable the Scale option if you want the saved map to show a scale indicator.
The scale helps readers estimate distances on the map without needing to measure individual features.
This is particularly useful for maps prepared for reports and presentations.
Step 6: Add the North Direction
A north arrow or compass helps the reader understand the orientation of the map.
When preparing your map, check the orientation before saving it. If you have rotated the Google Earth view, make sure the displayed north indicator correctly represents the map orientation.
Step 7: Add a Description
You can also include a short description containing useful information such as:
- Study area
- Data source
- Date
- Coordinate information
- Project name
Keep the description short and relevant so that it does not overwhelm the map.
Step 8: Choose the Map Style
Google Earth Pro provides styling options for the saved map. Select a style that keeps the map easy to read.
Avoid adding too many visual elements. A clean layout is generally easier to understand than a map crowded with labels, icons, and unnecessary information.
Step 9: Choose the Image Resolution
Before saving, select an appropriate image resolution.
A higher resolution can provide better quality when the map is used in a report or printed. However, larger images may require more storage space and can take longer to process or transfer.
For a website or Blogger post, you normally do not need an extremely large image. After exporting, you can compress the image before uploading it to improve page-loading performance.
Step 10: Save the Map
When all the map elements are ready, click Save Image.
Enter a descriptive file name, choose the destination folder, and save the map.
Google's instructions confirm that the final map image can contain the visible borders, labels, icons, and information selected through the map options.
Once you have completed this process, you may also want to learn How to Create a 3D Terrain Map in Google Earth Pro, if you need to get actual picture of buildings or terrain.
Practical Example
Suppose you are preparing a map showing water supply infrastructure.
Your layout could contain:
Title: Water Supply Network of Songea Municipal
Legend:
- Water source
- Storage tank
- Pipeline
- Pump station
Other elements:
- Scale
- North arrow
- Short project description
This produces a much more useful map than simply taking a screenshot of the satellite imagery.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Too Many Layers
Only display layers that are relevant to the purpose of the map.
Poor Map Title
Make the title specific enough to explain the map.
Missing Legend
If symbols are used, readers should be able to understand what they represent.
Excessive Resolution
Very large images are not always necessary. Choose a resolution appropriate for your final use.
Crowded Map
Too many labels and icons can make the map difficult to read. Turn off unnecessary information before saving.
Important Limitation
Google Earth Pro is useful for creating map images and preliminary mapping products, but its output should not automatically be treated as a professional cadastral or engineering survey.
For additional information and the latest guidance, see the official Google Earth Help documentation on printing and map layout improvements.
For legal boundaries, detailed engineering drawings, or high-precision surveying, use appropriate authoritative spatial and survey data.
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