(Also check out Typefaces for Cartography Annotation – Part One in this series.)
All examples are shown in 16 pt.
Helvetica
This typeface has 34 different fonts to choose from, including compressed, condensed, and narrow options. Arial and MS Sans Serif are similar. Its clarity and its generic form make it non-obtrusive.
Meridien
Meridien is a fluid and fairly complex typeface. The italic version shown here looks really good when labeling oceans and lakes. The way the serifs wisp out to rounded points make it look nice on maps with a certain nobleness.
FF Parable
This typeface looks great at small sizes, perhaps due to its very short descenders. It is a good choice for a map that will have a lot of levels of hierarchy within the text elements where you want something a little different looking. An added bonus is its three small cap fonts that would be nice for titles and other prominent text.
Beorcana
While developed for book type and therefore nicely legible at small sizes, it also looks quite nice at larger sizes. This calligraphy-inspired typeface is very interesting to the eye even though it is a sans-serif.
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