Integration of geography and statistics

Abstract

The rapid development in mapping technologies has visibly upgraded the power of statistical analyses and their dissemination. Focused on spatial dimension and using diverse remote sensing methods, geographic information systems (GIS) make the integration of statistics borderless and statistical analysis more value-added, permitting the evaluation of statistical data across traditional subject-matter fields. Management of statistical offices is increasingly aware that the integration of socio-economic and geographical information, when combined with GIS, assists in decision-making across subject-matter fields affecting education, health, environmental protection, municipal services, economic development and location of essential infrastructure. Internet and Intranet accelerate users’ access to these systems and transparency is a key word for any geographically related information. In addition to these strong points, however, many challenges still remain to be explored by national and international statistical agencies to make GIS applications efficient and safe. The Statistical Division of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE) is conducting a region-wide transfer of know-how on the use of mapping technologies for the collection, production and dissemination of statistical data. As well as regular meetings in this field, the Statistical Division is organising the international work on the development-related methodological materials and guidelines. All activities are undertaken in close cooperation with Eurostat, OECD, IMF, UN Statistics Division and other international organisations involved as a part of the programme of work of the Conference of European Statisticians. The aim of this paper is to report about the major objectives and activities going on in this field and to draw attention to some national and international projects on the use of mapping technologies for statistical purposes.