  Lattice simulations for the electromagnetic form factors of the nucleon yield
insights into the internal structure of hadrons. The logarithmic divergence of
the charge radius in the chiral limit poses an interesting challenge in
achieving reliable predictions from finite-volume lattice simulations. Recent
results near the physical pion mass are examined in order to confront the issue
of how the chiral regime is approached. The electric charge radius of the
nucleon presents a forum for achieving consistent finite-volume corrections.
Newly-developed techniques within the framework of chiral effective field
theory are used to achieve a robust extrapolation of the electric charge radius
to the physical pion mass, and to infinite volume. The chiral extrapolations
exhibit considerable finite-volume dependence; lattice box sizes of L > 7 fm
are required in order to achieve a direct lattice simulation result within 2%
of the infinite-volume value at the physical point. Predictions of the
volume-dependence are provided to guide the interpretation of future lattice
results.
