The Map as an Instrument for the Analysis, Synthesis and Narration of Migration

Maps allow the user to explore reality in its various aspects, but mainly they communicate a conception of the world. For this reason, it is important to remember that the maps are not a fully objective representation of reality and may have an important communicative function even in amplifying the daily news about the migrations. The chapter analyses various examples of maps used to represent movements, phenomena and the perception of migration flows. Starting from a traditional use of thematic maps to illustrate quantitative or qualitative aspects of migration and migrants, it goes on to examine the “popular cartography” of the daily press from a deconstructivist perspective and methodology (Harley, 1989, Squarcina, 2006). Finally, a semiotic perspective (Casti, 1998, 2013) is adopted to propose a reading of how migrants perceive their urban space (Genoa) and where they develop their social relations. The aim is to emphasize the dual purpose that the map can assume: as a social product and as a mean of communication.