A Map That Reveals the Geography of Garibaldi Park
Garibaldi Provincial Park protects a vast expanse of alpine terrain in the southern Coast Mountains of British Columbia. Established in 1927, it is one of the province’s earliest and most celebrated protected wilderness areas. The park is defined by volcanic peaks, turquoise lakes, expansive meadows, and glaciers that continue to shape the land today.
This map was created to express the geographic essence of Garibaldi Park, presenting it as a coherent physical landscape shaped by intense volcanism and glaciation.
What This Map Shows
The map highlights the major landforms that define Garibaldi Park, including ancient volcanic features such as Mount Garibaldi and the Black Tusk, extensive alpine meadows, deep valleys, prominent glaciers and extensive icefields. Iconic destinations like Panorama Ridge, Garibaldi Lake, and the Garibaldi Névé are shown in their broader geographic context, revealing how they relate to surrounding peaks, ridgelines, and icefields.
Terrain and relief are central to the map’s design, allowing the structure of the landscape to emerge clearly. U-shaped valleys, ridges, and volcanic flows reflect the combined influence of ice and fire that has shaped the park over millennia.
Cartographic Design and Approach
This map follows an information-first cartographic approach guided by the principles of Essential Geography. The goal is to show enough information to faithfully represent the land while maintaining clarity, balance, and visual restraint.
Realistic terrain is achieved through an innovative combination of shaded relief and directional lighting, creating a strong sense of three-dimensional form. Label hierarchy and colour choices are carefully controlled to support readability and spatial understanding without visual clutter.
Geographic and Cultural Context
Garibaldi Park lies within the traditional territories of Indigenous peoples, including the Squamish Nation. The Black Tusk, known in Squamish tradition as T’ak’t’ak’múten tl’a In7in’a’xe7en—the “Landing Place of the Thunderbird”—is both a striking volcanic landmark and a place of cultural significance, representing power and transformation.
Indigenous place names are included alongside other geographic names to reflect the layered cultural history of the region and to encourage a deeper understanding of place beyond purely colonial narratives.
Print Quality and Physical Details
The map is printed on premium 260 gsm, low-lustre photographic paper using high-resolution commercial inkjet printing. This process preserves fine detail, smooth tonal transitions, and accurate colour, resulting in a museum-quality print. Each map is shipped rolled in a protective tube.
Who This Map Is For
This map is ideal for anyone who has hiked in the park or is interested in the alpine geography of British Columbia, including educators, hikers, climbers, planners, and those with a deep appreciation for mountainous landscapes. It functions both as a practical geographic reference and as a visual statement piece for homes, offices, and studios.
