MappingWorld

PRESENTED BY

Codrina Maria ILIEcodrina@geo-spatial.org

Summary

● Mapping. Super short introduction

● What kind of data can one map?

● Looking at one’s data

● Tools to make beautiful maps

● Resources

So what will we be talking about?

So..what is mapping all about?first maps looked like this…

OLAUS MAGNUS, 1539 Carta Marina

And our interaction with them, like this..

Elizabeth I of England (1533 -

1603)

Today, our maps are a little bit different…

And the interaction seems to have changed too..

Is my data ‘map-able’ ?

Do you have a location related info?

Then, YES, it is map-able.

But…

Maps are useful when significant information

is added through spatial correlations and

analysis.

Is a map the best way to visualize my data?

Looking at the data

● Data interpretation gives knowledge (meaning)

● Steps to build the best map ever: put all your

information on it and then start removing what

(YOU) consider is not significant for the purpose of

the map.

● Understand what you map!

Data is neutral!

What?! They are both correct?!Mathematically, yes.

Data can be:

● sequential 1,2,3,4,5..

● diverging -2,-1,0,1,2

● qualitative white, blue,

red

types of data – forms of mapsLooking at the data

Maps can be:

● Choropleth

● Isopleth

● Proportional symbols

● Dot maps

Metadata!

The same dataset is mapped. The number of

classes and the division method are the same.

The only different thing is the projection and

the form of map

The impression of ‘being

on top’ is given by visual

contrast.

Visual hierarchy

● Geographical elements! ( such as name places)

● Correct position of what you manually placed on your map +

geocoded

● Topology (no duplicates, no silver polygons)

● Have you removed all unnecessary information ?

● What about cartographic elements? Projection, color, legend, scale

● Data attribution!

Map data check

Mapping toolsFree and Open Source tools

Resources - Open (geo)data portals

http://www.naturalearthdata.com/

Free vector and raster map data at 1:10m, 1:50m, and 1:110m scales

http://www.geonames.org/

The GeoNames geographical database covers all countries and

contains over eight million place names that are available for

download free of charge.

http://www.eionet.europa.eu/about

The official EU geoportal for environmental data

http://data.un.org/

The United Nations database

http://publicdata.eu/

a Pan European data portal, providing access to open, freely reusable

datasets from local, regional and national public bodies across

Europe.

A map is the most scientific work of art one can truly hope for.

Thank you!