QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF SPATIAL INDICATORS IN THE CASE OF VARYING ADMINISTRATIVE BOUNDARIES

Abstract

The aim of the research is to develop methods that would allow comparingthe statistical parameters of Latviaat differing administrative divisions, thereby solvingthe problems that arise in the case of discrepancy of borders. As part of thework, the developed method was implemented in order to assess the suitabilityof the created tool for mathematical analysis of statistical parameters on Latvia. Theterritory examined in the work is Latvia; the discrepancy of borderswas examined by comparing the parish borders of 1935 with the parishes of 2000.Therefore it was necessary to create a transfer matrix in order to link theadministrative borders of both periods. The transfer matrix was prepared in GISenvironment, combining the parish borders of 1935 and 2000. By conductingtransformation of parish parameters at differing administrative divisions andmaking a transfer from the parish borders of 1935 to 2000, it is possible toobtain relatively accurate value of the relevant parameter within thepresent-day borders. The obtained value can be used as a quantitativeindicator, allowing for quantitative comparison of temporal changes of therelevant parameter at differing administrative divisions, and the value ofthose changes in the examined territories can be used in subsequent statisticalanalysis of the results. By transforming the arable land proportion in ruralparishes of 1935 in accordance with the parish borders of 2000, it was possibleto carry out temporal comparison of this parameter with its value in 2001.