This map will cover an area 256×256 blocks and would be labeled 'Map #1' (assuming no other maps were created in the meantime). If one of those is then placed in the center of a crafting table and surrounded by eight paper, a zoom-level 1 map is crafted. If you want to keep that map, you should duplicate it at that point by placing it and an 'Empty Map' on your crafting area or table.

Thus, if you are at or near the center block, a zoom-level 0 map is nearly complete when crafted from an empty map. The map will be centered on a block that is a multiple of 128 on the x & z axis and will cover an area of 128×128 blocks. Holding an empty map and right clicking with it will activate it (data value 358) and draw the current terrain to a radius of 100-120 blocks. When maps are crafted (eight paper surrounding a compass) they are initially 'Empty Maps' (data value 395).

For example, you might make Map #0 (prior to the Pretty Scary Update this was designated 'map_0') at the center of the area you want to cover. Regardless of which technique is used, it's helpful to be systematic in the order you craft the maps. The zoom-levels introduced in the Pretty Scary Update make the 'overlap' technique of little benefit on any map at zoom level 0 (none) through 3, because an overview map at the next zoom level 'stitches' the maps together.

The other method is to deliberately ensure an overlap so that it's easier to find the same landmarks on multiple maps. The first is to travel well outside the current map's edge before crafting a new map, which will conserve map-crafting resources and keep confusingly redundant map space to a minimum. When crafting sets of maps, there are two approaches.

3 zoom levels of maps shown side-by-side: levels 0, 1, and 2.

Awesome minecraft city maps