A clear location map can make a report much easier to understand. Whether you are preparing a research report, engineering document, site assessment, planning study, or academic project, a well-designed map helps readers quickly understand where the study area or project site is located.
Google Earth Pro can be useful for creating a location map because it allows you to navigate to a site, display geographic information, add placemarks and other map elements, and save the finished view as an image. Google also provides options for adjusting image resolution, map information, legends, and text size when saving an image.
For more detailed map preparation, see How to Create a Layout Map Using Google Earth Pro.
What Is a Location Map?
A location map shows where a particular site, project, or study area is situated in relation to surrounding geographic features.
For example, a research report might show:
Country → Region → District → Study Area → Specific Site
The amount of detail depends on the purpose of the report. A location map should provide enough geographic context for someone unfamiliar with the area to understand where the subject of the report is located.
Step 1: Open Google Earth Pro and Find Your Area
Start Google Earth Pro and search for the location you want to map.
You can search using a place name, address, or geographic coordinates. Once you find the area, zoom to an appropriate level.
Avoid zooming too far in at the beginning. A good location map usually needs to show both the site and enough surrounding area to establish geographic context.
For example, if your report concerns a water treatment plant, you may want to show the facility together with nearby roads, settlements, rivers, or other relevant features.
Step 2: Mark the Important Location
Use a placemark to identify the main site.
Choose a clear name such as:
- Study Area
- Project Site
- Proposed Treatment Plant
- Survey Area
- Research Location
Keep the label short and easy to read.
If you need to show a larger study area rather than a single point, you can use a polygon to outline the approximate boundary. Google Earth Pro supports paths and polygons for marking locations and areas.
Step 3: Turn On Useful Map Information
Google Earth Pro allows you to control the information displayed around the map.
Depending on the purpose of your report, useful information may include:
- Roads
- Borders
- Place names
- Water bodies
- Terrain
- Other relevant geographic features
Do not turn on every available layer. Too much information can make the map difficult to read.
A professional map should emphasise the main location and the geographic information that helps explain it.
Step 4: Set the Map View
Adjust the zoom level and orientation before exporting the map.
Try to keep the main site clearly visible without allowing unnecessary areas to dominate the image.
For a conventional report map, a top-down view is usually easier to interpret. You can also adjust the view to show terrain when elevation or landscape context is important.
Check the map carefully before saving it. Remove unnecessary placemarks, labels, or layers that distract from the main purpose.
Step 5: Add a Title, Description and Legend
Google Earth Pro's Save Image feature provides map options that allow you to add information such as a title, description, and legend. You can also adjust the text size and image resolution.
A useful title might be:
Location Map of the Proposed Project Site
The description can provide additional context, while the legend can help explain symbols or displayed features.
Keep the title specific rather than using a generic heading such as "Map."
Step 6: Choose an Appropriate Map Scale and Layout
The map should provide enough geographic context without becoming unnecessarily crowded.
Consider:
- Map extent
- Text readability
- Site visibility
- Scale information
- Legend placement
- Overall balance
If the map is intended for an academic or technical report, make sure the final image remains readable after it is inserted into Word or converted to PDF.
Do not assume that simply increasing the image size will improve the map. The underlying geographic information and labels must also remain clear.
Step 7: Save the Map as an Image
When the map is ready, use:
File → Save Image → Save Image
Google's official instructions explain that the saved image can include the borders, labels, icons, and other information visible according to the selected map options. You can also adjust the image resolution and text scaling.
Choose an appropriate file name, such as:
Project_Location_Map.jpg
Keep the original project file separately if you expect to make changes later.
Step 8: Insert the Map into Your Report
After saving the map, insert it into your Word document, PDF workflow, presentation, or other report format.
Add a clear figure caption below it, for example:
Figure 1: Location of the proposed project site.
If the map is based on Google Earth imagery, also consider the appropriate attribution and usage requirements for your particular publication or project.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
A professional-looking location map does not need to be complicated. Avoid these common problems:
- Too many labels: They can hide the important location.
- Excessive layers: Only show information relevant to the report.
- Poor zoom level: The reader should understand both the site and its surroundings.
- Tiny text: Make sure labels remain readable in the final document.
- Missing context: Showing only the exact site may make its location difficult to understand.
- Unclear title: State exactly what the map represents.
- Relying on a screenshot: Use Google Earth Pro's Save Image feature when you need controlled map output and resolution.
Is Google Earth Pro Enough for a Professional Report?
Google Earth Pro can produce useful location maps for many reports, particularly for general location context, preliminary studies, presentations, and explanatory documents.
However, it should not automatically be treated as a substitute for a professionally prepared GIS map or survey plan. If your report requires precise cadastral boundaries, engineering survey information, coordinate-controlled data, or legally authoritative mapping, use appropriate authoritative datasets and professional GIS or surveying methods.
For official instructions on saving maps and adjusting resolution, see Google Earth Help — Save Your Favorite Map Image
Conclusion
Creating a location map in Google Earth Pro is relatively straightforward: find the area, mark the important location, select useful geographic information, prepare a clear view, add appropriate map information, and save the result at a suitable resolution.
The key to a professional result is not adding as many features as possible. Instead, focus on clarity, geographic context, readable labels, and information that directly supports your report.
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