Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
cance to the feature than would a nominal symbol denoting the presence of
a canal with no further graphical variation. The degree to which detailed
classifications of features are given therefore reflects an assessment of
their relative importance (
ibid
., p.159).
This paper describes an investigation to explore the extent to which
national conditions are intrinsically expressed in official 1:50 000 topo-
graphic map symbology. A series of tests of association are conducted
between the symbologies adopted by 20 European state topographic maps
and a variety of national statistics, such as land area, employment in
various sectors of the economy, HDI (Human Development Indicator)
values, cars in use, and countries of origin for foreign tourist arrivals. In
performing these explicit comparisons, the tests explore the extent to
which the classification and representation of the national landscape - as
demonstrated in official 1:50 000 topographical mapping - reflects
national characteristics at a detailed level.
2- Approach and Method
The topographic map data used in this investigation are based on those
provided by Kent and Vujakovic (2009), which were derived from a classi-
fication system for sorting each distinct graphical symbol from a sample of
1:50 000 European state topographic map legends into mutually exclusive
categories (
Figure 1
). Apart from Greece and Luxembourg (where native
NMOs do not publish topographic maps at 1:50 000), all countries forming
the European Union before 1
st
May 2004 are represented (the EU 15),
along with countries joining the EU on this date, i.e., from the Czech Re-
public, Latvia, Poland, and Slovenia, and those outside the EU, i.e., from
Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland (
Table 1
). The sample therefore exhibits
considerable variation in population size, land area, climate, economic and
industrial development, political heritage, and culture.
The scale of 1:50 000 was retained for a number of reasons. Firstly, it
represents a good balance between abstraction and mimesis in its represen-
tation of the landscape; secondly, it is the most accessible scale throughout
the region; and thirdly, most countries in the world possess 1:50 000 map-
ping, providing scope for a wider application of the study (e.g. to other
regions). The static medium of paper ensures that the choices remain fixed
and preserved, facilitating the aims.
