matplotlib-map-utils 4.1.1

A suite of tools for creating maps in matplotlib

---

Documentation: Available at https://moss-xyz.github.io/matplotlib-map-utils/

Source Code: Available on GitHub

Feedback: I welcome any and all feedback! See the Development Notes below for more details.

Current Version: v4.1.1, which fixed a a few bugs (see here for details!)

---

👋 Introduction

matplotlib_map_utils is a package that that assists with the creation of maps using matplotlib.

As of v4.x (the current version), this includes the ability to easily create three common map elements:

• North arrows, which automatically point to true north,

• Scale bars, available in different styles and automatic unit conversion, and

• Inset maps, including both detail and extent-style plots.

The three elements listed above are all intended to be high-resolution, easily modifiable, and context-aware relative to your specific plot.

This package also contains a single utility object:

• USA, a class that helps filter for states and territories within the USA based on given characteristics, used primarily for building queries based on FIPS codes or names.

Together, these allow for the (relatively) easy creation of a map such as the following:

---

💾 Installation

This package is available on PyPi, and can be installed like so:

pip install matplotlib-map-utils
# or
uv add matplotlib-map-utils

The requirements for this package are:

• python >= 3.10 (due to the use of the pipe operator to concatenate dictionaries and types)

• matplotlib >= 3.9 (might work with lower versions but not guaranteed)

• cartopy >= 0.23 (due to earlier bug with calling copy() on CRS objects)

• pydantic >= 2.13.3 (for type validation; might work with older versions, open an issue if you have questions)

---

Quick Start and Usage Guides

For a primer on how to import the package and use the primary functions and methods to create elements, see the Quick Start guide.

Each part of the package also has a dedicated page that lays out usage and customisation options in more detail:

• 🧭 North Arrows
• 📏 Scale Bars
• 🗺️ Inset Maps
• 🛠️ Utilities

Finally, the Package Information page provides additional context around the development of and overall structure of the package.

---

Support and Contributions

If you notice something is not working as intended or if you'd like to add a feature yourself, I welcome PRs - just be sure to be descriptive as to what you are changing and why, including code examples!

If you are having issues using this script, feel free to leave a post explaining your issue, and I will try and assist, though I have no guaranteed SLAs as this is just a hobby project.

I am open to contributions, especially to help tackle the roadmap above!

---

⚖️ License

I know nothing about licensing, so I went with the GPL license. If that is incompatible with any of the dependencies, please let me know.