Betio Island – Historic Cartography

Haylie Burkey
Haylie Burkey

March 31, 2026

Betio Island – Historic Cartography

Developed a detailed thematic map of Betio Island (Tarawa Atoll, South Pacific) representing U.S. and Japanese operations during Fall 1943. Using a scanned historical map as the authoritative source, manually traced and digitized the island’s coastline, airstrip, and road network in Adobe Illustrator. Created separate layers for thematic elements, including Japanese defensive positions, pockets of resistance, Marine landing beaches, and Marine advancement routes, ensuring accuracy and clarity. Incorporated type elements for labeling key features and included a title, scale bar, north arrow, and legend. Applied vector-based tracing techniques and basic raster effects to enhance readability while maintaining historical fidelity. Emphasized careful layer management, precise tracing, and consistent labeling to produce a high-quality, publication-ready map.


tags

Adobe IllustratorCartographyHistorical

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