What color and style should be used to label water features on maps?

Using blue font and italics for labeling water features on maps is aligned with conventional cartographic practice. The color blue is universally associated with water, making it intuitive for map readers to quickly identify water bodies such as rivers, lakes, and oceans. This color-coding helps enhance the clarity and meaning of the map.

Italics can add an additional layer of distinction in text presentation, indicating either a specific type of feature (like a seasonal water body) or simply providing a stylistic approach that separates it visually from other types of features labeled on the map. Together, this combination of blue ink and italics ensures that water features stand out in a way that aligns with the expectations of most map users, thereby improving usability and comprehension of the spatial information presented.

Other choices do not follow the established conventions for representing water features, either through the inappropriate use of color or font style, thereby diminishing the effectiveness of map communication.