Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
Representing and Communicating
The database's role for storing geographic information makes it central to
the process of communication, also for maps produced from geographic
information. Representation and communication usually involve databases.
Databases are part of the technologies we encounter daily and are a field of
study, management area, and science in their own right. Most geographic
information and maps only scratch the surface of what databases can be
used for, but the two most common uses of databases for geographic infor-
mation and maps are as follows:
Databases store measurements and observations of things and events.
•
Databases store the symbols, values, and other graphic elements that
help maps communicate.
•
Graphics drawn automatically by computer software generally are less
refined aesthetically compared to graphics humans make directly. Hand-
drawn maps and graphics can be used to improve communication. This also
becomes necessary if the computer-produced graphic should be revised or
geographic information is unavailable.
The organization of the database tables, records, and fields is called a
“data model.” The creation of a data model is an important task and needs
to be considered in conjunction with the geographic representation, carto-
graphic representation, and communication objectives.
When working with geographic information or maps, you should be
aware of how the database can constrain representing and communicating.
This may be the result of using software or hardware that is not adequate to
the task, or due to the misuse of the database. The relations between differ-
ent database tables can lead to a variety of errors. A common example for
roads is that records in one database table use initial capitals and full names
for street designations (Road, Street, Lane, Avenue) and another database
Highway and major road network in the Twin Cities, Minnesota, United States. The
map on the left shows the roads without symbols.
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