# MiniScale Documentation

MiniScale is a free small-scale digital map of Great Britain in a single data file that clearly shows towns and cities, motorways, major roads, railways and airports. MiniScale is aimed at any customer who requires a high-quality, visually appealing map for their documents and / or publications, whether that be a magazine, brochure or website.

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**This product is updated annually in January.**
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<figure><img src="https://1897589978-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FcNpJpLP8RROUaWVQo5ea%2Fuploads%2FfvZuGpeyVyRu9atMg2dU%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=2b150a11-7fa2-4a74-ba5d-a9bcc66503ed" alt="Miniscale map area showing areas of Cornwall, Devon, and Somerset."><figcaption><p>MiniScale map representation showing areas of Cornwall, Devon, and Somerset.</p></figcaption></figure>

MiniScale is a vector graphic that has been created using desktop publishing software so that it can be customised and converted into a wide variety of graphic formats. Alternatively, the raster examples can also be used for web applications or within a geographical information system (GIS) as a backdrop.

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**See the big picture**

MiniScale is ideal as a fast-loading national map of Great Britain for your GIS. It's accurate, quality-assured and easy on the eye.

**Ideal for desktop publishing**

MiniScale maps are great for desktop publishing. You can print them as wall maps or use extracts in sales brochures or project documents.

**Flexible for GIS users and graphic designers**

Choose the map that’s right for you. MiniScale downloads include files for both GIS users and graphic designers. We provide a map highlighting roads and cities, and another with terrain to the fore.
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MiniScale can be used to:

* Create high-quality, visually appealing location maps for websites or promotional material, for example, showing the locations of head offices or the distribution of assets across Great Britain.
* Produce overview or entry screen maps within an Intranet or Internet web mapping service.
* Facilitate high-level route planning along major roads and railways.
* Create a basemap for web applications or within a geographical information system (GIS) for interactive web maps or mobile apps.
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{% tab title="Summary" %}

* **Access**: Download
* **Data theme:** Contextual
* **Data structure:** Raster
* **Coverage:** Great Britain
* **Scale:** 1:1 000 000
* **Format:** TIFF-LZW
* **Ordering area:** All of Great Britain
* **Publication month:** January
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**Colour and options**

Palette of 256 colours in the TIFF version of this product.

**Customisation options**

You can turn off layers in the .ai files, which open in Adobe Illustrator (open source alternatives are available), then export files in other formats for use in your GIS or printed documents.

**Image editing**

You can open MiniScale files in Photoshop or similar image editing programmes in order to use extracts for location maps and other purposes.
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## How to get this product

Access to this OS OpenData product is free through the [OS Data Hub](https://osdatahub.os.uk/downloads/open/MiniScale).

## What's next?

To access additional documentation and resources relating to this product, please refer to the following:

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-cover data-type="image">Cover image</th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><h3>Overview</h3></td><td>The overview contains additional theoretical information related to MiniScale. All users will find the Product Information document useful and informative.</td><td></td><td data-object-fit="cover" data-alt="Example image showing MiniScale product data of Scotland over a background map."><a href="https://1897589978-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FcNpJpLP8RROUaWVQo5ea%2Fuploads%2FhZcCNhvVg68baPOlPsmp%2FMiniScale-4.png?alt=media&#x26;token=254d0595-af01-4596-b435-a0ea3ef6ddca">MiniScale-4.png</a></td><td><a href="miniscale/miniscale-overview">miniscale-overview</a></td></tr><tr><td><h3>Technical Specification</h3></td><td>The technical specification provides detailed technical information about MiniScale. It is targeted at technical users and software developers.</td><td></td><td data-object-fit="cover" data-alt="Example image showing MiniScale product data over a background map."><a href="https://1897589978-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FcNpJpLP8RROUaWVQo5ea%2Fuploads%2FBKKXF24jaq8vlRpDL7VF%2FMiniScale-5.png?alt=media&#x26;token=d1785862-6e51-4ed7-be59-72600d359007">MiniScale-5.png</a></td><td><a href="miniscale/miniscale-technical-specification">miniscale-technical-specification</a></td></tr><tr><td><h3>Downloads</h3></td><td>The downloads page provides links and resources to support the application of the Miniscale product within your environment.</td><td></td><td data-object-fit="cover" data-alt="Example image showing MiniScale product data over a background map."><a href="https://1897589978-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FcNpJpLP8RROUaWVQo5ea%2Fuploads%2Fq8lA4t3yWL1klQDcgrYH%2FMiniScale-3.png?alt=media&#x26;token=1746a423-7c3b-47c7-ac3a-76252462a54f">MiniScale-3.png</a></td><td><a href="miniscale/miniscale-downloads">miniscale-downloads</a></td></tr><tr><td><h3>Ordnance Survey Website</h3></td><td>View MiniScale product information and find out how to get this product on the OS website.</td><td></td><td></td><td><a href="https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/products/miniscale">https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/products/miniscale</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

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New users should start with the product guide to gain high-level insight into the product. The Technical Specification contains detailed technical insights.
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