Chapter Wrapup
Once GIS data is created, compiled, or analyzed, the results are usually best communicated using a map, and the ability to create a map of data is a standard feature in GIS software packages such as ArcGIS or QGIS. However, for producing a useful, readable, well-balanced map, there are several choices that go into map design, the form of the layout, and the presentation of data, colors, and symbols.
This chapter presented an overview of several cartographic and map-design concepts, and this chapter’s Geospatial Lab Application will have you take the data you’ve been analyzing in Chapters 5 and 6 to create a professional-quality map from it. In the next chapter, we’re going to examine some specific types of maps—road network maps—and see how GIS and geospatial technologies are used to design street maps that can be used to locate addresses, and to compute shortest paths (and directions) between locations. Before that, check out the Apps, Blogs, and Social Media box for a downloadable app, some mapping blogs, and related topics for Facebook and Twitter.
Important note: The references for this chapter are part of the online companion for this book and can be found at http://www.whfreeman.com/shellito2e.
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Apps, Blogs, and Social Media
Here’s a sampling of available apps for your mobile device (note that some apps are for Android, some are for Apple iOS, and some may be available for both), as well as some blogs and social media outlets related to this chapter’s concepts.
A representative app for use on your phone or tablet:
Population Change Map: This app contains choropleth maps of the U.S. population change between 2000 and 2010
For further up-to-date info, read up on these blogs:
ArcGIS Resources – Mapping Category (blog posts concerning mapping and cartography topics): http://blogs.esri.com/esri/arcgis/category/mapping
Thematic Mapping Blog (a blog from the creator of the Thematic Mapping Engine): http://blog.thematicmapping.org
Strange Maps (a blog dedicated to all types of weird and cool maps): http://bigthink.com/blogs/strange-maps
On Facebook, check out the following:
The History of Cartography Project: http://www.facebook.com/Historyof Cartography Project
Become a follower on Twitter of:
Bjorn Sandvik (creator of Thematic Mapping Engine): @thematicmapping