Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
promising development in a short time. The availability is equally distributed
across the continent, from several atlases in larger countries to atlases also in
smaller countries, like Latvia, Slovenia and even Moldova. Eurostat, the Statistical
Office of the European Union, who collects a large amount of regional data from all
member and candidate states, can be added to the list of atlas producers since 2012,
when it published its successful Statistical Atlas .
Technologies and the Role of the Cartographer
Technologies for Statistical Mapping
Statistical maps and atlases usually apply the technological means and standards of
their time. Today, in an era, when cartographic tools are available to everyone
and every institution at often low costs or even for free, a plethora of different
software packages is used by NSIs to create their maps. Apart from some input
standards (.csv, .xls, .sdmx) and output standards (Flash, SVG, HTML5) no
uniform application exists that is considered by all the different European countries.
Applications for statistical mapping can be grouped into four main categories:
(1) There are classic Geographic Information Systems (GIS), which offer a broad
range of analytical functions and more and more convenient map components.
(2) There are statistical software packages (like SAS) with rather rudimentary map
tools—often suited only for quick sketches. (3) There are freely available Internet
tools that allow for the creation of maps without software skills (e.g. Google).
(4) And there are high-end Cartographic Information Systems (CIS) on the market
that aim directly at the professional map and atlas maker in statistical offices.
As often in cartography (and life), there is no one tool that is suited for every
situation. Usually, two or three solutions of the above mentioned categories co-exist
in statistical offices to fulfil all needs. The decision to adopt a tool depends on many
factors, including the available infrastructure and data bases, the desired output
format (print, online, mobile, etc.), the range of possible use cases within offices,
the number of staff involved in the preparation of maps or atlases, and last but not
least on the professional background of the person who is responsible for the map
production. While cartographers will rather chose CIS solutions, geographers will
use a GIS; statisticians will use statistical software they have grown up with, and
finally other staff that is not acquainted with any of these solutions will search for
easy-to-use free Internet software. In any case, it can be concluded: while the
production of thematic maps in statistical offices is now much cheaper and faster
than in pre-digital times, there are two negative effects as well: Firstly, costs for
software introductions and the shift to a new technology are today higher than 10 or
20 years ago, caused by the sheer number of interfaces with an increasingly
complex surrounding in statistical information systems. And secondly, all the freely
available tools do still not automatically guarantee that the resulting maps are well
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