Color is used in both thematic and reference maps for representing information and highlighting important features. Using color effectively in maps requires careful consideration of how the human visual system functions, the medium in which the map is published (electronic vs. paper), and characteristics of the data being represented in the map. Colors can be thought of as comprising three dimensions (color hue, color lightness, and color saturation), and are typically described using specialized mathematical systems called color specification systems, which allow precise communication about color characteristics.
