This text describes late-1990s understanding of map generalisation in the context of paper maps and GIS. Its particular value should be in helping to further automate and measure the process of map generalisation.; The research has concentrated on quantifying generalisation effects and on analysing how these effects of generalisation locked into the maps were measured. Elsa Joao's book covers the background to the problems of map generlasation; the methodology developed by the author to investigate the consequences of the map generalisation; a detailed description of results, and a conclusion that draws together consequences for the broader applications to GIS.
Originally published to wide acclaim, this lively, cleverly illustrated essay on the use and abuse of maps teaches us how to evaluate maps critically and promotes a healthy skepticism about these easy-to-manipulate models of reality. Monmonier shows that, despite their immense value, maps lie. In fact, they must. The second edition is updated with the addition of two new chapters, 10 color plates, and a new foreword by renowned geographer H. J. de Blij. One new chapter examines the role of national interest and cultural values in national mapping organizations, including the United States Geological Survey, while the other explores the new breed of multimedia, computer-based maps. To show how maps distort, Monmonier introduces basic principles of mapmaking, gives entertaining examples of the misuse of maps in situations from zoning disputes to census reports, and covers all the typical kinds of distortions from deliberate oversimplifications to the misleading use of color. "Professor Monmonier himself knows how to gain our attention; it is not in fact the lies in maps but their truth, if always approximate and incomplete, that he wants us to admire and use, even to draw for ourselves on the facile screen. His is an artful and funny book, which like any good map, packs plenty in little space."—Scientific American "A useful guide to a subject most people probably take too much for granted. It shows how map makers translate abstract data into eye-catching cartograms, as they are called. It combats cartographic illiteracy. It fights cartophobia. It may even teach you to find your way. For that alone, it seems worthwhile."—Christopher Lehmann-Haupt, The New York Times ". . . witty examination of how and why maps lie. [The book] conveys an important message about how statistics of any kind can be manipulated. But it also communicates much of the challenge, aesthetic appeal, and sheer fun of maps. Even those who hated geography in grammar school might well find a new enthusiasm for the subject after reading Monmonier's lively and surprising book."—Wilson Library Bulletin "A reading of this book will leave you much better defended against cheap atlases, shoddy journalism, unscrupulous advertisers, predatory special-interest groups, and others who may use or abuse maps at your expense."—John Van Pelt, Christian Science Monitor "Monmonier meets his goal admirably. . . . [His] book should be put on every map user's 'must read' list. It is informative and readable . . . a big step forward in helping us to understand how maps can mislead their readers."—Jeffrey S. Murray, Canadian Geographic
This text is the inaugural book in Taylor and Francis's GISDATA series, and is derived from the specialist workshop convened under the auspices of the European Science Foundation's GISDATA Scientific Programme. Generalisation is an integrating tool for the analysis and presentation of spatial data. Effective spatial data analysis requires multiple views of the world at various scales with different thematic layers of representation. Generalisation is a key mechanism in this process, as it filters out information which is required for particular scales or layers; hence it is critical to implement full and comprehensive generalisation capabilities in a GIS, something with which few current GIS are equipped.; This book overviews the core and as-yet unresolved issues surrounding the achievement of this goal, and presents various alternatives - both speculative views and practical examples - in the areas of automated generalisation, vis-a-vis problems such as object simplification and placement. At the same time it distinguishes between modelling with generalisation and graphical representation, and adopts a model-building perspective. It also describes artificial intelligence techniques for implementing automated generalised routines, and addresses issues of data quality and production.; The text is organized into six parts: an introduction; generic issue; object-orientated methods and knowledge-based modelling; knowledge acquisition and representation; data quality; and operation and implementation.
This monograph is part of the Resource Publications in Geography Series of the Association of American Geographers. It describes the many issues & problems associated with representing cartographic features on maps as the scale of the map changes. The first two chapters of the book discuss the graphic problems associated with scale change & give a history of map generalization. A set of maps, at different scales, is used to illustrate the conceptual & technical problems of generalization. The third chapter presents a conceptual model for the cartographic generalization process within a digital environment. The generalization process described answers the questions why we generalize, when to generalize & how to generalize. The fourth & fifth chapters identify & describe the basic operators & algorithms used in map generalization for both the vector & raster data models of feature representation. The final chapter reviews current activities & future research directions including the application of expert systems, neural networks & advanced user interfaces for developing a newer generation of generalization software.
This book combines a comprehensive state-of-the-art analysis of bifurcations of discrete-time dynamical systems with concrete instruction on implementations (and example applications) in the free MATLAB® software MatContM developed by the authors. While self-contained and suitable for independent study, the book is also written with users in mind and is an invaluable reference for practitioners. Part I focuses on theory, providing a systematic presentation of bifurcations of fixed points and cycles of finite-dimensional maps, up to and including cases with two control parameters. Several complementary methods, including Lyapunov exponents, invariant manifolds and homoclinic structures, and parts of chaos theory, are presented. Part II introduces MatContM through step-by-step tutorials on how to use the general numerical methods described in Part I for simple dynamical models defined by one- and two-dimensional maps. Further examples in Part III show how MatContM can be used to analyze more complicated models from modern engineering, ecology, and economics.
Theoretical and Applied Solutions in Multi Scale Mapping Users have come to expect instant access to up-to-date geographical information, with global coverage--presented at widely varying levels of detail, as digital and paper products; customisable data that can readily combined with other geographic information. These requirements present an immense challenge to those supporting the delivery of such services (National Mapping Agencies (NMA), Government Departments, and private business. Generalisation of Geographic Information: Cartographic Modelling and Applications provides detailed review of state of the art technologies associated with these challenges, including the most recent developments in cartometric analysis techniques able to support high levels of automation among multi scale derivation techniques. The book illustrates the application of these ideas within existing and emerging technologies. In addition to providing a comprehensive theoretical underpinning, the book demonstrates how theoretical developments have translated into commercial systems deployed within NMAs. The book explores relevance of open systems in support of collaborative research and open source web based map services. State of the art review on multi scale representation techniques Detailed consideration of database requirements and object modeling in support of emerging applications (3D, mobile) and innovative delivery (map generalisation services) Illustration through existing map production environment implementations Consolidated bibliography (680 entries), 200 illustrations, author and subject index
This book focuses on the generalization of map features, providing descriptions and classifying groups of map objects into six categories: point clusters, groups of contours, road networks, river networks, continuous areal features and discrete areal features. Discussing the methods and algorithms in map generalization in equal measure, it also describes the approaches for describing map features. The book is a valuable reference for graduates and researchers who are interested in cartography and geographic information science/systems, especially those in automated map generalization and spatial databases construction.
How do you draw a map of 100,000 places, of more than a million flows of people, of changes over time and space, of different kinds of spaces, surfaces and volumes, from human travel time to landscapes of hopes, fears, migration, manufacturing and mortality? How do you turn the millions of numbers concerning some of the most important moments of our lives into images that allow us to appreciate the aggregate while still remembering the detail? The visualization of spatial social structure means, literally, making visible the geographical patterns to the way our lives have come to be socially organised, seeing the geography in society. To a statistical readership visualization implies using data. More widely defined it implies freeing our imaginations. The Visualization of Spatial Social Structure introduces the reader to new ways of thinking about how to look at social statistics, particularly those about people in places. The author presents a unique combination of statistical focus and understanding of social structures and innovations in visualization, describing the rationale for, and development of, a new way of visualizing information in geographical research. These methods are illustrated through extensive full colour graphics; revealing mistakes, techniques and discoveries which present a picture of a changing political and social geography. More complex aspects on the surface of social landscapes are revealed with sculptured symbols allowing us to see the relationships between the wood and the trees of social structure. Today's software can be so flexible that these techniques can now be emulated without coding. This book centres on a particular place and time; 1980s Britain, and a particular set of records; routine social statistics. A great deal of information about the 80s' social geography of Britain is contained within databases such as the population censuses, surveys and administrative data. Following the release of the 2011 census, now is a good time to look back at the past to introduce many new visualization techniques that could be used by future researchers.
