Viewing Map Labels

Map labels add an overlay with the names of roads and highways, cities and towns, and other points of interest to the viewport.

Some basemaps, such as Google Maps, include labels as part of the basemap. You cannot turn this labeling on or off.

Do either of the following:

  • Turn On Map Labels Select Map Labels map labels off. Map labels appear in the viewport.

    San Diego viewed with map labels turned on.

  • Turn Off Map Labels Select Map Labels map labels on. Map labels are removed from the viewport.

    The same area viewed with map labels turned off.

Map labels are available at all zoom levels. However, you will see a greater level of detail as you zoom in.

  • Zoom 2.2

    Map labels at zoom level 2.4. The entire globe is visible, but few labels are present.

    At this zoom level, few map labels are visible.

  • Zoom 5.8

    Map labels at zoom level 5.8. The eastern seaboard of the United States is shown, and several city labels are visible.

    At this zoom level, several city labels are visible.

  • Zoom 8

    Map labels at zoom level 7.8. The map shows Pennsylvania, New York, and part of New England. Additional city labels are visible, as are highway markers and labels of large parks and forests. Labels are similar to those on the Google Maps basemap.

    At this zoom level, city and highway labels are visible, as are labels for large parks and forests. The labels are similar to those on the Google Maps basemap.

  • Zoom 11.1 (imagery available)

    Map labels at zoom level 11.1. Imagery is available at this zoom level. The map shows Newburgh and Poughkeepsie, New York. Labels indicate a few state parks and two regional airports, as well as several towns and state highways.

    With imagery available at higher zoom levels, map labels become more valuable, as they are no longer visible on the basemap. Now you can see labels on smaller cities and towns, as well as on regional airports.

  • Zoom 16.4

    Map labels at zoom level 16.3. The map is zoomed in over a shopping center in Newburgh, New York. The map is zoomed in enough for map labels to indicate points of interest as detailed as residental streets, gas stations, and restuarants.

    At very close zoom levels, map labels add high levels of local detail to imagery, such as identification of residential streets and businesses.