A map image display apparatus for displaying a map image with at least one name for entering a command to change the map image, and switching the displayed map image, when accepting the command with the name designated, to a map image in a vicinity of the designated name. The apparatus includes a defined region storage device which stores information of a name-defined region indicated by the name, a center position thereof, and a display scale enabling displaying substantially the whole name-defined region within one screen; and a display target determination device which determines a map image to be displayed at the display scale with the center position of the name-defined region taken as a display center, referring to the stored information.