The way in which you place names on a map is determined by the characteristics of the map objects. In cartography three kinds of objects are distinguished: point, linear and area object. We will shortly describe each of these objects.

(1) Point objects

• explicitly symbolized named objects: streams, canals
• implicitly symbolized named objects: coasts
• individual objects: streams, roads, railroads
• derived from area objects: boundaries, coastline = land area boundary (generally unnamed)
  

• explicitly symbolized (= cartographically bounded) named objects: lakes, islands, administrative areas
• implicitly symbolized named objects: swamps, mountain ridges, depressions, trenches, basins
• dito, partly symbolized: peninsulas, delta areas, gulfs and bays, seas, straits
• dito, collectivities: archipelagos, lakes areas
• not symbolized: historic areas, uncategorized physical areas (boundaries variable or disputed)