# (44) Map insets

In this example show how inset can be used to place map insets on top of your map. The map inset is usually intended for placing a smaller-scale version of the larger geographical context of your main plot, so that reader unfamiliar with the detailed map can see what region we are looking at. The inset module automatically determines the possible extent of the map hence we simply pass ? for the unknown map sizes.

    #!/usr/bin/env bash
    #               GMT EXAMPLE 44
    #
    # Purpose:      Illustrate use of map insets
    # GMT modules:  coast, basemap, mapproject
    #

    gmt begin ex44
    	gmt subplot begin 2x1 -Fs15c/10c -B -BWSne
    		gmt coast -R10W/5E/35N/44N -JM15c -EES+gbisque -Gbrown -Wfaint -N1/1p -Sazure1 -Dh --FORMAT_GEO_MAP=dddF -c0
    		gmt inset begin -DjTR+w5c/2.35c+o0.4c/0.25c -F+gwhite+p1p+c0.1c+s
    			gmt coast -R15W/35E/30N/48N -JM? -Da -Gbrown -B0 -EES+gbisque --MAP_FRAME_TYPE=plain
    		gmt inset end

    		gmt coast -R110E/170E/44S/9S -JM15c -Wfaint -N2/1p -EAU+gbisque -Gbrown -Sazure1 -Da --FORMAT_GEO_MAP=dddF -c1
    		gmt inset begin -DjTR+w3.8c+o0.4c/0.25c -F+gwhite+p1p+c0.1c+s
    			gmt coast -Rg -JG120/30S/? -Da -Gbrown -A5000 -Bg -Wfaint -EAU+gbisque
    		gmt inset end
    	gmt subplot end
    gmt end show

Map Insets.