1. A method for verifying a printed pattern of features printed through a lithographic mask, the printed pattern approximating a reference pattern, the method comprising: defining sectors of at least a portion of the features in the reference pattern; producing a lithographic mask according to a mask design suitable for printing an intended pattern; printing a pattern through the lithographic mask; determining a contour of the printed pattern; superimposing the contour of the printed pattern on the reference pattern; determining surface areas of sectors of the printed pattern that correspond to the sectors of the reference pattern; calculating one or more parameters as a function of at least one of the surface areas, the parameters being related to a single sector or to multiple sectors, wherein one of the parameters is a ratio of the surface area of a sector of the printed pattern to a surface area of a corresponding sector of the reference pattern; and evaluating the parameters with respect to a reference value.