A Map That Reveals the Geography of the Salish Sea
The Salish Sea is a complex inland marine system defined by narrow straits, deep basins, island chains, and a rugged, fjord-like coastline. Extending from the Strait of Georgia through the San Juan and Gulf Islands to Puget Sound, it represents one of the most geographically intricate coastal regions in the Pacific Northwest. This map was designed to make that complexity legible at a glance.
Rather than presenting the sea as a collection of disconnected waterways, the map emphasizes the Salish Sea as a continuous physical system shaped by glaciation, tectonics, and natural coastal processes.
What This Map Shows
This map highlights the major physiographic features of the Salish Sea, including deep channels, shallow sills, island archipelagos, and the surrounding coastal mountain ranges. Shorelines are rendered with careful detail, allowing the relationship between land and water to emerge clearly.
Bathymetry plays a central role in the design, helping readers understand the submerged landscape that governs currents, ecosystems, and navigation. Subtle shaded relief and restrained labeling ensure clarity without visual clutter, even in areas of high geographic density.
Cartographic Design and Approach
The map was created using an information-first cartographic approach inspired by classic reference atlases and modern Swiss design principles. Every design decision, from colour palette to label hierarchy, was made to support readability and spatial understanding.
Rather than attempting to show every possible feature, the map focuses on the geographic structures that define the Salish Sea. Political boundaries are de-emphasized so that coastlines, islands, channels, and underwater landforms form the visual foundation of the map.
Print Quality and Physical Details
The map is printed on premium 260 gsm photographic paper with a low-lustre finish that minimizes glare while preserving fine detail. High-resolution commercial inkjet printing ensures crisp linework, smooth tonal transitions, and accurate colour reproduction.
Each map is shipped rolled in a protective tube. This is a wall map designed for framing and long-term display, not a folded travel map.
Who This Map Is For
This map is ideal for anyone with a deep interest in coastal and marine geography of the Pacific Northwest. It works equally well as an educational reference, a planning tool, or a statement piece for homes, offices, and studios.
It is especially well suited to educators, marine scientists, planners, navigators, and anyone who appreciates clear, thoughtfully designed geographic information.
