Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
mostly Internet-based systems with spatial content. However, a closer examination
of this is necessary.
Whereas a GIS is an environment for capture, extraction, modelling, manipula-
tion and analysis of geographic information (Bill
1999
), the main focus of a
cartographic oriented information system is targeted on a high-quality cartographic
visualization of the underlying data.
In
1996
, Kelnhofer defined “interactive cartographic information systems” as the
development of all cartographic products in which not only the design of the
information processing by the user, but also the cartographically processed infor-
mation on the screen is an essential aspect (Kelnhofer
1996
). Cartographic infor-
mation systems are thus in opposition to geographic information systems, as the
visualized information must be optimized in a cartographic process based on the
output scale, as he stated in 2000: “Die dargebotene Information muss hierbei nach
kartographischen Regeln bearbeitet und gestaltet werden, was zwangsl¨ufig zu
einer maßstabsbezogen generalisierten Kartengraphik und zur graphischen
Konfliktfreiheit des Pr¨sentationsergebnisses f¨hrt” (Kelnhofer et al.
2000
). In
this context, Hennig (
2004
) used the term “interactive screen map” in order to
clarify a definition of this form of cartographic products and put it in the “gap
between the static information transferred by paper maps and the extensive and
complex processing possibilities of GIS maps.”
In addition to the aspects mentioned above, a cartographic information system
relates generally to a particular geographic area and takes an additional “narrative
component” on a particular topic (Ormeling
1995
) into consideration. In this
context, Cartwright used the concept of “narratives” as a leitmotif of a cartographic
visualization in the Internet (Cartwright et al.
1999
). Thus, greater emphasis is
placed on the design of the visualization of spatial information. It offers both high
quality cartographic quality, as well as a user friendly interface.
The above points show the differences between geographic and cartographic
information systems. Due to different methodological approaches and objectives, as
well as a focus on different user groups it is necessary to consider cartographic
information systems as an independent application type and focus on relevant
properties of such systems, which must be considered within the framework of a
development process.
As essential and fundamental properties of a cartographic information system
can therefore be stated:
Internet-based information system with focus on the processing of geographic
information: In contrast to geographic information systems data has to be
preprocessed to be used in cartographic information systems. The processing
of geographical data has to be done by methods of generalization, based on the
output scale. Thematic content is to be treated accordingly to ensure the “nar-
rative component” of the system.
Maps-centred system: A cartographic information system represents a map
centred system whose functionality is primarily related to interaction and
manipulation of the graphical representation of information. Functionalities
