How to insert scale bar in a map in matplotlib

Question

Any ideas on how can I insert a scale bar in a map in matplotlib that shows the length scale? something like the one I have attached.

Or maybe any ideas on measuring

Answer 1

I would try the matplotlib-scalebar package. (For something like your example c.)

Assuming you are plotting a map image with imshow or similar, and you know the pixel width/cell-size (the real-world equivalent size of one pixel on the map image), you can automatically create the scale bar:

This example is straight off the PyPi matplotlib-scalebar package page but here it is for completeness:

import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import matplotlib.cbook as cbook
from matplotlib_scalebar.scalebar import ScaleBar

plt.figure()
image = plt.imread(cbook.get_sample_data('grace_hopper.png'))
plt.imshow(image)
scalebar = ScaleBar(0.2) # 1 pixel = 0.2 meter
plt.gca().add_artist(scalebar)
plt.show()