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Command Syntax

python create_map_poster.py [required] [optional flags]

Required Arguments

--city
string
required
City name for geocoding and poster label.Alias: -cExamples:
--city "Paris"
-c "New York"
--country
string
required
Country name for geocoding disambiguation.Alias: -CExamples:
--country "France"
-C "USA"

Location Overrides

--latitude
string
Override map center latitude. Must be used with --longitude.Alias: -latSupports multiple formats:
  • Decimal: 40.7128
  • Decimal with direction: 40.7128° N
  • Degrees/Minutes/Seconds: 40°42'46\" N
Examples:
--latitude 40.7128
-lat "51.5074° N"
--longitude
string
Override map center longitude. Must be used with --latitude.Alias: -longSupports multiple formats:
  • Decimal: -74.0060
  • Decimal with direction: 74.0060° W
  • Degrees/Minutes/Seconds: 74°0'21\" W
Examples:
--longitude -74.0060
-long "0.1278° W"
When using coordinate overrides, both --latitude and --longitude must be provided. The geocoding service will be completely bypassed.

Map Configuration

--distance
integer
default:"18000"
Map radius in meters from the center point.Alias: -dTypical ranges:
  • Small cities / high detail: 4000-6000
  • Medium cities / downtown focus: 8000-12000
  • Large metros / full coverage: 15000-20000
Examples:
--distance 10000
-d 15000
See Distance Guide for detailed recommendations.
--theme
string
default:"terracotta"
Theme name for color scheme. Theme must exist in themes/ directory.Alias: -tExamples:
--theme noir
-t midnight_blue
Use --list-themes to see all available themes.
--all-themes
boolean
Generate posters for all available themes in a single run.Alias: --All-themesExample:
python create_map_poster.py -c "Tokyo" -C "Japan" --all-themes
This will create separate poster files for every theme in the themes/ directory.

Dimensions & Output

--width
float
default:"12"
Output image width in inches (at 300 DPI).Alias: -WMaximum: 20 inches (enforced automatically)Examples:
--width 12.8    # 4K width
-W 3.6          # Instagram square
--height
float
default:"16"
Output image height in inches (at 300 DPI).Alias: -HMaximum: 20 inches (enforced automatically)Examples:
--height 7.2    # 4K height
-H 6.4          # Mobile wallpaper
--format
string
default:"png"
Output file format.Alias: -fChoices: png, svg, pdfExamples:
--format svg
-f pdf
PNG exports at 300 DPI for high-quality printing. SVG and PDF are vector formats that scale infinitely.

Internationalization (i18n)

--display-city
string
Custom display name for city on the poster (supports non-Latin scripts).Alias: -dcExamples:
-dc "東京"          # Tokyo in Japanese
-dc "دبي"          # Dubai in Arabic
-dc "서울"          # Seoul in Korean
--display-country
string
Custom display name for country on the poster (supports non-Latin scripts).Alias: -dCExamples:
-dC "日本"         # Japan in Japanese
-dC "الإمارات"    # UAE in Arabic
-dC "대한민국"      # South Korea in Korean
--font-family
string
Google Fonts family name for custom typography. Automatically downloads and caches fonts.Examples:
--font-family "Noto Sans JP"      # Japanese
--font-family "Cairo"             # Arabic
--font-family "Noto Sans KR"      # Korean
--font-family "Noto Sans Thai"    # Thai
If not specified, uses local Roboto fonts. Downloaded fonts are cached in fonts/cache/ for future use.

Multilingual Example

python create_map_poster.py \
  -c "Tokyo" -C "Japan" \
  -dc "東京" -dC "日本" \
  --font-family "Noto Sans JP" \
  -t japanese_ink

Label Overrides

--country-label
string
Override the country text displayed on the poster (legacy option).Example:
--country-label "United Kingdom"
For multilingual support, use --display-country instead.

Utility Commands

--list-themes
boolean
List all available themes with descriptions and exit.Example:
python create_map_poster.py --list-themes
Output:
Available Themes:
------------------------------------------------------------
  terracotta
    Terracotta
    Mediterranean warmth - burnt orange and clay tones on cream

  noir
    Noir
    Pure black background, white roads

Complete Example

python create_map_poster.py \
  --city "San Francisco" \
  --country "USA" \
  --theme sunset \
  --distance 10000 \
  --width 12.8 \
  --height 7.2 \
  --format png
This generates a 4K desktop wallpaper of San Francisco with the sunset theme.

Argument Aliases Quick Reference

Full FlagShortDescription
--city-cCity name
--country-CCountry name
--latitude-latOverride latitude
--longitude-longOverride longitude
--theme-tTheme name
--distance-dMap radius (meters)
--width-WWidth in inches
--height-HHeight in inches
--format-fOutput format
--display-city-dcDisplay name for city
--display-country-dCDisplay name for country

See Also

Basic Usage

Common usage patterns and examples

Resolution Guide

Dimension presets for different use cases

Distance Guide

Choosing the right map radius

Themes

Explore available color themes

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