HIST 2809 The Historian's Craft

JournalismJOUR 4101

Introduction to ArcMap andBasic Geoprocessing SkillsRebecca Bartlett GIS and Digital Resources LibrarianJoel Rivard Cartographic Specialistgis@carleton.caAgendaDownloading and displaying datasetsQuerying and extractingSpatial joinFinding and joining Census or National Household Survey dataExploring cartographic principles and generate a map layout

Downloading Census GeographyFree! Boundary files for all census geographies in shapefile (GIS) formatFederal Electoral Districts (FEDs) are the geographic areas for which one Member of Parliament is elected

Display data in non-geospatial formatE.g.: spreadsheetNeed some/any sort of geographic elementAddressLatitude/longitude coordinatesCountry, city, etc.Lat-long is easiest but can find lat-long with addresses (called geocoding)Querying Data in ArcMapQuerying allows you to extract subsets from large datasetsArcMap uses SQL queries in a relatively easy-to-use interface

Spatial Joins in ArcMapSpatial joins allow users to find out how many points fall within a polygon, etc.Can also find average, sum, min/max, etc.

http://giphy.com/gifs/excited-shocked-DImeco37S0Fl6 Finding and downloading Census dataThe Canadian Census used to have a long form and short form, both obligatoryNow (2011), only the short form (population, language, household) is mandatoryVoluntary longer form is the National Household Survey (NHS)Keep this in mind: NHS is less accurate despite having the more interesting dataWe will be using NHS dataWell look at INCOMECan find data on www.statcan.gc.ca but its not in a commonly used file formatWe will use Canadian Census Analyser which you have access to as Carleton studentsMap ProjectionsMap projections are mathematical algorithms that allows representation of the 3D earth on a 2D surfaceThere is ALWAYS distortion of any combination of area, direction, distance or shapeSee what different map projections look like! Its animated!http://www.jasondavies.com/maps/transition/Explore Cartographic PrinciplesWhat is a Map?A map shows information spatially, typically emphasizing a theme. They are a graphic representation of the real world. Mapmakers select and symbolize what they want to show on the map.Elements to consider when making a map:Decide on the subject of theme of the mapWhat is the intent of the map?Who is the audience?What is the format?How will it be produced?How will it be viewed?

Special thanks to Monica Ferguson, Cartographic Specialist for the content on these slidesExplore Cartographic PrinciplesSUBJECT AREA OR VISUAL HIERARCHY The most important element on the page is placed at the visual centre and takes up the most space within the frame.

TITLE If not part of a book, report, thesis, dissertation maps should have a title Otherwise there should be a caption below the illustration The title should consider wording, placement and type style The wording introduces the map subjectThe placement is part of the map layout and can be located anywhere as long as it stands out

LEGEND This is how information on the map is clarifiedSymbols on the map should look exactly the same in the legendPlacement of the legend is decided by balance and white space

Special thanks to Monica Ferguson, Cartographic Specialist for the content on these slidesExplore Cartographic PrinciplesSCALE Is extremely helpful when reading or interpreting a mapEach map should have a scale statement whether its a bar or linear scale, verbal statement or a representative fractionThe scale can be included in the legend or it may be separate

ORIENTATION This refers to the direction shown on the map. What is north and south? If there is no graticule or north arrow, assume north is at the top. If not, there should be some indication of orientation. North arrows are a quick and easy way to show orientation especially for large scale maps ie. city or neighbourhood scale. North arrows, like scale statements are only aids on a map and shouldnt dominate.

INSET MAPS are used in conjunction with the main map and should clarify, gain scale or enlarge a small section of the map or to provide a setting or context for the main map. If an inset map has a different scale from the main map, both maps should include a scale statement. The inset map should not cluttered the main map or make a choppy design.

Special thanks to Monica Ferguson, Cartographic Specialist for the content on these slidesExplore Cartographic PrinciplesGENERALIZATION:Some information must be removed at certain scales to ensure clarityA complex feature like a coastline should be reduced to its basic shape to be recognizable

SYMBOLIZATION:Symbols are the graphic language used to convey meaning on a map and the selection of symbols is a big part of a successful map Symbols show the location, sometimes the value and phenomenaThey should be appropriate and relate to the map users One can use points, lines and polygons

Special thanks to Monica Ferguson, Cartographic Specialist for the content on these slidesUnsuccessful Maps

Why a Bad Map?

Legend and Symbology are poorly designed.The number units are not identified. The size of graduated circles is too largeThe city name labels are too small and the label weight is off (thinkboldvs regular)Scalebar missing

Source: http://www.stratasan.com/bad-maps-apples-map-app-and-poor-cartographic-designSpecial thanks to Monica Ferguson, Cartographic Specialist for the content on these slidesUnsuccessful Maps

Why a Bad Map?

No title or legend to describe what the map is depicting. Too much information. It makes it difficult for the reader to see the map clearly, as many symbols overlap. Scale bar is missing and scale of map is offThe map does not contain the name of the creator, source, or date. Finally, the aesthetics of the map are not appealing and do not have a color harmony that appeals to the viewer's eye.Source: http://katrinalaygo.blogspot.ca/2010/01/what-makes-good-and-bad-map.htmlSpecial thanks to Monica Ferguson, Cartographic Specialist for the content on these slidesSuccessful MapsSource: http://katrinalaygo.blogspot.ca/2010/01/what-makes-good-and-bad-map.html

Why a Good Map?

It contains a title, legend, scale bar, north arrow, neat/accurate lines, a date, and the map sources. The title is the largest font size and its clearly visible The legend allows the viewer to understand what the points on the map represent. The scale bar provides a sense of distance for the viewer and is usually placed at the bottom of the map. The North arrow, in the same way, provides a sense of direction for the viewer. Neat, accurate lines depict relevant areas on the map that are highlighted for the viewer. The date and the map sources are important for citing references and letting the viewer know when the map was created in case it is time sensitive. Finally, the aesthetics of the map are pleasing, and everything is neatly arranged on the page. The colors complement each other but are not too overwhelming.Special thanks to Monica Ferguson, Cartographic Specialist for the content on these slidesSuccessful Maps

Source: http://katherinemichael-gis.blogspot.ca/2012/01/week-one-map-critique-lab.htmlWhy a good map?

It contains a title, legend, scale bar, a date, and the map sources.

It is accurate and well labeled without being cluttered.

The symbols used to label the hazards are descriptive yet simple, allowing for easy identification of the hazard points without cluttering up the map.The color scheme provides distinction among the points without jarring the eye.The title is simple but descriptive and serves to engage the viewer by creating a feeling of concern about the subject matter.

Overall this map is both nice to look at and a useful source of information.Special thanks to Monica Ferguson, Cartographic Specialist for the content on these slidesExplore Cartographic ElementsRECAP:

Maps are graphic representations and are selective, symbolic and generalized. Mapmakers must simplify to select elements of reality that are necessary to serve a purpose. To show everything would clutter the map with information not relevant to theme of map. Symbols substitute for images of objects.Selecting what is shown on a map involves bias.

CAN I BREAK THE RULES IF I WANT?

YES, of course! But remember that conventions are based on old practices. Water bodies are usually blue and if you change this it may invite confusion. If however youre trying to convey polluted waters, showing a brown area may help communicate your maps theme.

Special thanks to Monica Ferguson, Cartographic Specialist for the content on these slidesFurther ResourcesOpen Data repositorieshttp://www.library.carleton.ca/find/gis/geospatial-data/open-data-repositoriesStatistics Canada Boundary files & datahttp://www.library.carleton.ca/find/gis/geospatial-data/census-geography-filesOur mindbogglingly amazing GIS pagehttp://www.library.carleton.ca/find/gis/

Thank you! Please dont ever hesitate to contact us about GISGIS@carleton.ca@GIS_Carleton on TwitterLower floor of Library: MADGIC

GIS Day on November 19th at the Library