Map Layout, creation

& visualization

12/21/2022 1
 Previously
4.0 Data sources and DBMS
– 4.1 Primary sources, secondary sources,
obtaining data from elsewhere, the digitizing
process
– 4.2 File based/database based, Hierarchical
DBMS, Relational DBMS, Object oriented DBMS

12/21/2022 2
 What this lesson covers?
5.0 Map Layout
− Elements of a Map
− Standard Conventions for symbols
− Cartographic Process
− Data visualization

12/21/2022 3
 Elements of a map
• Symbols, labels, legend, scale, north arrow, map
frame, map and display units, font choices,
feature properties
• Symbols : are basically points, lines and polygons
• Labels: mainly for ordinal (categorical) and
nominal data. Labels are based on attribute
values in the attribute table
• Feature properties - type, size, shape,
orientation, and colour

12/21/2022 4
 Elements of a map - 2
• Map and display units
– Map units are the units in which the coordinates for a dataset are
stored. They are determined by the coordinate system. If the data
is stored in a geographic coordinate system, the map units are
usually decimal degrees (degrees, minutes, and seconds
expressed as a decimal). If the data is stored in a projected
coordinate system, the map units are usually meters or feet. Map
units can be changed only by changing the data's coordinate
system.
– Display units are independent of map units—they are a property
of a data frame. Display units are the units in which ArcMap
displays coordinate values and reports measurements. You can set
the display units for any data frame and change them at any time

12/21/2022 5
 Standard conventions for symbols
• Some colors are more liked than others
• Better to use liked colors
• In one American study
– Most liked colors: blue, red, green (RGB)
– Least liked: violet, orange, yellow
• Generally accepted conventions:
– Blue : water, cool, positive numerical values
– Green : Vegetation, lowlands, forests Yellow: dryness, paucity of
vegetation, intermediate elevations
– Brown : landforms (Mountains, hills) Contours
– Red : warm, important items (roads, cities etc), low negative
numerical values

12/21/2022 6
 Standard conventions for symbols - 2
Point, Line and areas symbols
– See symbol selector for some standard
conventions
– Blue for lakes, rivers, water bodies
– Green for vegetation
– Red for danger
– Brown for roads
– etc.

12/21/2022 7
 Generalization
• In most aspects of our existence, we are
surrounded by detail and complexity
• In order not to become mired in confusion (of
detail and complexity), we often focus on the
universal characteristics of things rather than
on their individual unique qualities
• Generalization enables us to focus on the
main characteristics without being distracted
by details
12/21/2022 8
 Cartographic process
• Process mainly about generalization
• Two main considerations, 1. elements and 2.
factors of generalization
− The elements of generalization are operations
performed by the cartographer. They are operations
involved in cartographic categorization
− The controls of generalization are the factors that
influence how each process (process of categorization)
is performed. Factors determining the application of
the elements of cartography

12/21/2022 9
 Cartographic process - 2
• Elements of generalization include;
– Selection/Omission
– Simplification
– Classification
– Exaggeration
– Symbolization
– Induction

12/21/2022 10
 Cartographic process - 2
• Factors of generalization include;
– Objectives
– Scale
– Graphic limits
– Quality of Data

12/21/2022 11
 Selection/Omission
• Refers to the restriction in data inclusion of the
feature/phenomenon that has been selected and designated
• When someone chooses(selects) not to ‘put’ something in
(omit).
• First stage in preparing the content of a map
• All maps are selective in the sense that they deal with some
things and not others
• The cartographer must answer four questions: Where? When?
What? Why? E.g. a cartographer can create a map of Kampala
(where) showing current (when) traffic patterns (what) so that
an ambulance can take the fastest route to an emergency (why)
e.g. Google traffic maps

12/21/2022 12
 Simplification
• An element of cartography that involves
– Determination of important characteristics of the data
– Elimination of unwanted detail
– The retention & possible exaggeration of the important characteristics
• What has to be discarded or retained depends on
– The relative importance of the item
– The relation of that class of data to the objective of the map
– The graphic consequences of retaining them

12/21/2022 13
 Classification & Exaggeration
• Classification / Combination
– Grouping of phenomenon in order to bring relative
simplicity out of complex differences or unmanageable
magnitudes of information. It involves reducing data to a
form that can be easily represented on a map. e.g.
highways, secondary roads, primary roads etc.
• Exaggeration & Displacement
– Necessary to make certain features visible at smaller scales
– Exaggeration inevitably results in the displacement of
features
– E.g. increase scale of highways such that its visible

12/21/2022 14
 Symbolization
• Is the assignment of representative marks to
features on the map
• This graphic coding makes the generalization
visible
• Judicious simplification and classification can
be nullified by poor symbolization
• Good symbolization can enhance effectiveness

12/21/2022 15
 Induction
• Process of extending the information content of a map
beyond the selected data by means of logical geographical
inferences
• This occurs where the map contains more information than
was in the original data. For example, with a phenomenon
that has a continuous distribution like elevation or rainfall,
one can infer the elevation or rainfall total at any point on a
map, yet the data used to create that map may have been
only a few points with known elevations or rainfall totals.
Such maps are only approximations of reality. The greater
the number of data points used to create them, the better
their approximation of the truth.

12/21/2022 16
 Factors of generalization
–Objectives
–Scale
–Graphic limits
–Quality of Data

12/21/2022 17
 Objectives
• Purpose of map
• Audience
• Is it to
– Be studied with time limit as might be the case with a
topographic map or general atlas
– Be shown briefly on a screen during presentation
– Provide general information or display structure of
particular distribution
• The purpose of the map determines the simplification,
classification, generalization, etc. processes.

12/21/2022 18
 Scale
• Fundamental factor
• As a general rule, the smaller the scale the
greater the degree of generalization
• Each scale has corresponding appropriate
generalization
• At large scales e.g. plans, most of the
generalization is classification and
symbolization
• Reflection? What happens at smaller scales??
12/21/2022 19
 Quality of Data
• Cartographer must ensure that the data are
correct and that their presentation on the
map does not convey a greater degree of
incompleteness and unreliability than is
warranted.

12/21/2022 20
 Graphic Limits
• Refers to the map users abilities to distinguish
between different map components

12/21/2022 21
 TALDOGS
– T - Title
– A - Author
– L - Legend
– D - Date
– O - Orientation
– G - Grid
– S - Scale
This acronym will help you remember what to
include on a map.
Source: South Carolina Geographic Alliance
12/21/2022 22
 Data Visualization
• Visualization – the translation or conversion of
spatial data from a database into graphics –
map like products
• Guiding question - How to say what to whom
and is it effective?
• Remember; A map for a scientist requires a
different approach than a map on the same
topic aimed at children

12/21/2022 23
 Data Visualization - 2
Factors affecting the visualization process
– Large- or small-scale data
– Topographic or thematic data
– Quantitative or Qualitative data

12/21/2022 24
 Data Visualization - 3

Types of data

12/21/2022 25
 Graphic Elements (Visual variables) in
Symbolization
• Two general categorizations
– Those that order the data
• Size
• Value
– Those used to differentiate variables
• Spacing (Grain, fineness)
• Hue (color)
• Orientation (direction)
• Shape

12/21/2022 26
 Graphic elements - 2

12/21/2022 27
 Size
– Connotes quantities and can be used to
portray datasets at the ordinal, interval, or
ratio scale of measurement
– It is useful for place, linear or volumetric
datasets
– Only nominally scaled and areal data sets
can not be symbolized by a variation in size

12/21/2022 28
 Value
• Connotes order and can be used to display
ordinal aspects of datasets.
• By the addition of legend number values can
be used to portray interval or ratio aspects of
datasets.
• Because it is ordered, it should not be used for
nominal and areal aspects

12/21/2022 29
 Spacing
• Refers to the spacing of a series of dots or
lines that are the component marks of a
symbol
• Spacing connotes a nominal aspect of a
dataset. It can be used for place, linear or
areal but not for volumetric data

12/21/2022 30
• Hue
– Connotes a nominal scale of measurement and
can be used for place, linear and areal data sets
• Orientation
– Used to differentiate nominal aspects of data sets
and for place, linear or areal data types
• Shape
– Connotes a nominal scale of measurement and
can be used for place, linear and areal data sets

12/21/2022 31
 Measurement scales linked to visual
variables

12/21/2022 32
 Map cosmetics

12/21/2022 33
 Summary
• Elements of a map – TALDOGS
• Standard conventions for symbols: colors
• Generalization and the cartographic process
• Data visualization

12/21/2022 34