Cartographic Presentation Methods Research Articles

Shrines and Pilgrimages in Poland as an Element of the “Geography” of Faith and Piety of the People of God in the Age of Vatican II (c. 1948–1998)

This research is aimed at learning about the origins and functions of shrines, and changes to the pilgrimage movement in Poland during the Vatican II era (c. 1948–1998). The objective required finding and determining the following: (1) factors in the establishment of shrines in Poland during this time; (2) factors in the development of shrines with reference to the transformation of religious worship and to the influence of political factors in Poland; (3) changes in pilgrimage traditions in Poland, and (4) changes in the number of pilgrimages to selected shrines. These changes were determined by archive and library research. Additionally, field studies were performed at more than 300 shrines, including observations and in-depth interviews with custodians. Descriptive–analytical, dynamic–comparative and cartographic presentation methods were used to analyze results.

Possibilities for Developing Beer Routes in Slovakia

The last 30 years of brewing history in Slovakia were the most turbulent ones. They were influenced by the liquidation of some beer production as well as privatization, integration and acquisitions of global beer producers. As a reaction to the uniform taste of beer produced by the global producers, numerous small craft breweries emerged in Slovakia trying to return the specific beer taste to the regions. Their importance may also be involved in the development of popular beer tourism through beer routes in addition to the fragmentation of the Slovak brewing industry. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the potential of Slovakia for the development of beer routes. The examination and assessment of the possibilities of creating beer routes in Slovakia required considering the historical context first, and then establishing a database comprising the list of craft breweries in Slovakia and the list of places where beer festivals are organised. Correspondence with the President of the Association of Small Independent Slovak Breweries was used for this purpose. Such a database was then verified, supplemented and compared to the database developed by our team based on information from field research, telephone interviews with thirty representatives of breweries, and an analysis of websites of Slovak breweries. The database was further transformed into space, using a map of isolines (equidistant) expressing the mutual distance of the craft breweries. In compiling the results, dynamic-comparative methods and cartographic presentation methods were also used. All together, we identified 70 craft breweries and proposed three beer routes thanks to their spatial distribution.

A Method for Hazard Mapping Illustrated with an Example of Fire Service Interventions

Spatial information systems are already widely used and are commonly ap­plied in crisis management. The aim of the study was to develop a method for mapping hazards as a tool supporting crisis management processes and decision‑making processes for the purposes of security and activities of the Fire Service, and the organisation of the National Rescue and Fire System. As part of the study, formulas determining the scale of danger of each event, and a dan­ger scale factor were developed. Hazard maps were compiled using various methods of cartographic presentation, including interpolation, chorogram, and hotspot. The data used was information from the National Fire Service, from an area accepted as representative. The suggested solution proposes a new meth­od for spatial analysis which takes into account not only the number of events as such, but also the weight of hazards they generate, the specified scale of dan­gers. The conducted study indicates that the hazard map compiled using this method show more spatial relationships than raw statistical data, which en­ables a better analysis of the studied phenomenon. The end result of the study is the development of algorithms enabling the compilation of a hazard map which takes into account not only the very fact of the occurrence of a hazard but also its weight.

Accessibility evaluation of topographic maps in the National Library of Poland

Abstract. Digital libraries are created and managed mainly by traditional libraries, archives and museums. They collect, process, and make available digitized collections and data about them. These collections often constitute cultural heritage and they include, among others: books (including old prints), magazines, manuscripts, photographs, maps, atlases, postcards and graphics. An example of such a library is the National Library of Poland. It collects and provides digitally available data of about 55,000 maps.The effective use of cultural heritage resources and information from National Library of Poland gives the prerequisites and challenges for multidisciplinary research and cross-sectoral cooperation. These resources are an unlimited source of knowledge, constituting value in themselves but also providing data for many new studies, including interdisciplinary studies of the past. Information necessary for such research is usually distributed across a wide spectrum of fields, formats and languages, reflecting different points of view, and the key task is to find them in digital libraries.The growth of digital library collections requires high-quality metadata to make the materials collected by libraries fully accessible and to enable their integration and sharing between institutions. Consequently, three main metadata quality criteria have been defined to enable metadata management and evaluation. They are: accuracy, consistency, and completeness (Park, 2009, Park and Tosaka, 2010). Different aspects of metadata quality can also be defined as: accessibility, accuracy, availability, compactness, comprehensiveness, content, consistency, cost, data structure, ease of creation, ease of use, cost efficiency, flexibility, fitness for use, informativeness, quantity, reliability, standard, timeliness, transfer, usability (Moen et al., 1998). This list tells us where errors in metadata occur, which can result in hindering or completely disabling access to materials available through a digital library.Archival maps have always been present in the libraries. In the digital age, geographical space has begun to exist in libraries in two aspects: as old maps’ collections, as well as a geographic reference of sources other than cartographic materials. Despite many experiences in this field, the authors emphasize that the main problem is related to the fact that most libraries are not populating the coordinates to the metadata, which is required to enable and support geographical search (Southall and Pridal, 2012).During this stage the concept of research is born and the source materials necessary for the realization of this concept are collected. When using archival maps for such studies, it is important to be aware of detailed literature studies, including cartographic assumptions, the course and accuracy of cartographic works, the way of printing, the scope of updates of subsequent editions, and the period in which the given map was created. The ability to use cartographic materials also depends on the destination map. The awareness of the above issues allows researchers to avoid errors frequently made by non-cartographers, i.e. to prevent comparing maps on different scales and treating them as a basis for formulating very detailed yet unfortunately erroneous conclusions. Thus, one of the key tasks is to find materials that are comparable in terms of scale and that cover the same area and space in the historical period of interest.The research aim is to evaluate the quality of topographic maps metadata provided by the National Library of Poland, which are the basis for effective access to cartographic resources.The first research question is: how should topographic maps be described in metadata to enable finding them in the National Library of Poland? In other words, what kind of map-specific information should be saved in metadata (and in what way) to provide the proper characteristic of the spatially-related object?The second research question is: which topographic maps have the best metadata in such a way as to give the users the best chance of finding the cartographic materials necessary for their research?The paper will present the results of research connected with finding criteria and features to metadata evaluation, it means how archival maps are described. For the maps, it is a set of map features, which are collected in the metadata. This set includes the geographic location, map scale, map orientation, and cartographic presentation methods. The conducted evaluation refers to the quality of metadata, or, in other words, the accessibility of archival cartographic resources.

Cartographic presentation – from simple to complex map

Abstract Nowadays a lot of people are trying to make maps, and especially digital maps. A wide range of computer tools and high graphic capabilities have together made maps increasingly popular and seemingly easy to prepare for any person who can use a computer. It seems necessary to verify the bases of the cartographic presentation methods. There is a need for a new, formalized view of the method as a sequence of steps from data collection, to correct presentation, to map. Two terms related to cartographic presentation should be distinguished in this article: “methods” and “forms.” A method is understood as the process by which data is transformed into a presentation. A form is understood as the end result of this process, i.e. the resulting graphical image or map. In the article five types of cartographic presentation are indicated. In the successive types, one can observe an increasing degree of complexity of cartographic presentation.

Emocje zapisane na mapach

The article addresses a number of cognitive issues: Do maps serve only as neutral windows that document the world cartographically? How often do maps provide somethingmore, for instance an axiological perspective or a certain emotional filter? In the article the overview of selected thematic maps from Atlas of Poland’s political geography is preceded by a passage dedicated to human emotionality. Later, once the basic information about cartography (cartographic mapping, generalization, etc.) has been outlined, the article characterizes several maps and the methods of cartographic presentation and formulates the essential message of each map. Finally, the most common techniques of map emotionalization are enumerated. The standard graphic-verbal representation of a map shows in a way which is to be objective, conventional, simplifying and generalizing the approximate truth (probability) about space. Emotions present on the map merely imply intentions, because maps, which usually speak objectively about a specific spatial history, retain some cognitive-affective charge. A lesson on cartography says, among other things, that objectivism is sometimes a fertile soil for emotions.

New statistical atlases of voivodships and Poland

Abstract In 2018, 100 years had passed since the Central Statistical Office of Poland (since 2017: Statistics Poland – GUS) was established. This anniversary was considered an opportunity for preparation of a series of cartographic publications, i.e. 16 statistical atlases of Polish voivodships (first order administrative units) and the Statistical atlas of Poland. Publication of such a series of atlases is a new undertaking in the history of Polish statistics – it involved both the employees of the head office of Statistics Poland in Warsaw and the staff of statistical offices in 16 voivodships. Until 2018 Polish public statistics did not have many such publications. The first atlas publication of Central Statistical Office was Republic of Poland – statistical atlas released in 1930. The next Statistical atlas, covering all of Poland, was published only in 1970. Subsequent statistical atlases were published over 30 years later – the atlases of five voivodships, published in 2006−2016, and the Demographic atlas of Poland published in 2017. Atlases for individual voivodships were prepared by the relevant regional statistical offices. The project was managed by the head office of Statistics Poland which prepared the guidelines and provided technical and substantive supervision. Due to different sizes of voivodships, the atlases were prepared in scales from 1:900,000 (Opolskie and Świętokrzyskie Voivodships) to 1:1,500,000 (Mazowieckie and Wielkopolskie Voivodships). A standard page contains a map of a voivodship divided into communes (gminas) or counties (powiats) and a map of Poland at the scale of 1:9,500,000 divided into voivodships. The number of pages of the voivodship atlas is 104 with 165 maps: 76 maps of voivodships, 76 maps of Poland, one administrative map of Poland at the scale of 1:3,800,000 and 12 maps of the European Union or Europe at the scale of 1:21,500,000. The Statistical atlas of Poland was published in early July 2018. It consists of 216 pages, with 281 maps (full-page maps of Poland at the scale of 1:3,800,000, quarter-page maps of Poland at the scale of 1:9,000,000, full-page maps of Europe or the European Union at the scale of 1:21,500,000, and half-page world maps at the scale of 1:200,000,000) and 175 charts/graphs. Maps made by using quantitative cartographic presentation methods predominate in the atlas – choropleth and diagram methods are used most frequently (they are observed on 263 maps). Statistical atlases of voivodships and the Statistical atlas of Poland count 1888 pages in total with 2934 maps, on which the development of the country is presented in relation to regional and local conditions. All atlases are bilingual, Polish-English. Publications printing was co-financed from EU funds within the Operational Programme Technical Assistance 2014–2020. Atlases are also available free of charge in the PDF format on the website of Statistics Poland: https://stat.gov.pl/statystyka-regionalna/publikacje-regionalne/podreczniki-atlasy/atlasy/.

Cartographic Redundancy in Reducing Change Blindness in Detecting Extreme Values in Spatio-Temporal Maps

The article investigates the possibility of using cartographic redundancy to reduce the change blindness effect on spatio-temporal maps. Unlike in the case of previous research, the authors take a look at various methods of cartographic presentation and modify the visual variables in order to see how those modifications affect the user’s perception of changes on spatio-temporal maps. The study described in the following article was the first attempt at minimizing the change blindness phenomenon by manipulating graphical parameters of cartographic visualization and using various quantitative mapping methods. Research shows that cartographic redundancy is not enough to completely resolve the problem of change blindness; however, it might help reduce it.

A review of methods of cartographic presentation of urban space

A review of methods of cartographic presentation of urban space

A review of methods of cartographic presentation of urban space

The aim of the article is to present selected solutions applied in urban planning, which, even contemporarily, can be used as models. The paper presents a review of selected concepts of model cities from the antiquity to contemporary times. The article presents methods of creating three-dimensional city models (or their flat presentations in so-called two and a half dimensions), including the historical conceptualization, portraying both the practical and aesthetical features of former map projections. Referring to historical examples, the article also includes historical and contemporary urban 3D models corresponding to analyzed conceptions.

Elaboration of topographic bases for statistical maps, their contents and importance

Abstract The author’s objective is to present the role of base contents for a statistical map and determine its desired features which would influence optimum perception of the main contents of the map. The article consists of two main parts. The first part discusses selection of cartographic projection. Presented recommendations could be summarized in a short conclusion that application of equal-area projections is the optimum solution. It results from the necessity of preserving correct spatial relations during the perception of the thematic map contents. It is recommended to show cartographic graticule on statistical maps, for it helps to recognize geometrical attributes of the map and plays the localizing role. The second part of the article concentrates on the issue of selection of base contents’ elements on statistical maps. Such selection depends on the method of presentation of the thematic contents of the map. Because of that the optimum contents of the map is discussed in the context of basic cartographic presentation methods, i.e. the dot method, the choropleth method, the diagram method and the isoline method. The role of base elements in the process of reading of the main contents is also underlined. It is shown that it is not only the localizing role. Including additional elements of base contents facilitates understanding of the spatial distribution of the phenomenon which is the main topic of the map. The article encourages extension of the contents of statistical maps by additional elements of contents, which, while keeping correct spatial relations, can improve the efficiency of map use.

Method vs. form – an attempt to classify cartographic presentation methods

Abstract The author of the article discusses the subject of terminology in the field of cartographic methodology. The general purpose is to propose an internally consistent system of concepts which allows classification of cartographic presentation methods based on unambiguous criteria. For this purpose, in the article the concept of presentation method and the concept of presentation form were differentiated, the cartographic presentation method was divided into stages, and possible data transformation and visualization aspects during application of a method were specified. Then, review of the previous classifications of cartographic presentation methods was conducted which allows differentiation of two fundamental approaches to classification and comparison of the applied criteria. On this basis, the author’s classification of cartographic presentation methods was suggested in which three qualitative and four quantitative methods were differentiated. It constitutes a compromise between accepting unambiguous criteria and the possibility to differentiate methods fixed in cartographic convention.

The place of the “quantitative signature symbols” in the classification of the cartographic presentation methods

Abstract The authors of the article pay their attention to the lack of a generally accepted classification of the cartographic presentation methods. The classification, which was described in the Ratajski’s handbook (1989) in the mostly extensive way, is commonly used in the Polish literature. According to the authors, it would be appropriate to modify one of the types of symbols (quantitative ones) as an independent method of data presentation at the quantitative level, in addition to the method of diagram, choropleth, dot method and isoline one.

Forest cover mask from historical topographic maps based on image processing

This study aimed to obtain accurate binary forest masks which might be directly used in analysis of land cover changes over large areas. A sequence of image processing operations was conceived, parameterized and tested using various topographic maps from mountain areas in Poland and Switzerland. First, the input maps were filtered and binarized by thresholding in Hue‐Saturation‐Value colour space. The second step consisted of a set of morphological image analysis procedures leading to final forest masks. The forest masks were then assessed and compared to manual forest boundary vectorization. The Polish topographical map published in the 1930s showed low accuracy which could be attributed to methods of cartographic presentation used and degradation of original colour prints. For maps published in the 1970s, the automated forest extraction performed very well, with accuracy exceeding 97%, comparable to accuracies of manual vectorization of the same maps performed by nontrained operators. With this method, we obtained a forest cover mask for the entire area of the Polish Carpathians, easily readable in any Geographic Information System software.

Methodology for mapping the average transaction prices of residential premises using GIS

Abstract Geographic information systems (GIS) and their tools support the process of real estate trading. Of key importance is the ability to visualise information about real estate in the form of maps of average real estate transaction prices. The following study presents a methodology for mapping average real estate transaction prices using GIS. The map development process comprised three main stages. In the first stage, the input data was processed and statistically analysed. Official data came from the Register of Real Estate Prices and Values, and open data from the National Register of Boundaries. The second stage involved the visualization of the data in the form of maps of average apartment prices using the cartographic methods of choropleth maps and diagrams. The commercial tool ArcMap 10.3 and the free Quantum GIS software were used in the design of the maps of average real estate transaction prices, to check the options for using these types of programs. As a result, eight maps were designed presenting the average transaction prices for residential properties in the Warsaw district of Ursynów in 2015. The final stage was the analysis of the designed maps. The influence of the selection of the reference units on the visualization content, and the impact of combining cartographic presentation methods on the complexity of the presentation of real estate information, were also analysed.

Review of the methods of cartographic presentation of warfare

Abstract Maps, depicting the warfare, are elaborated according to the rules developed over the years. Although, they are not free of errors. The authors draw our attention to the diversity of methods related to the cartographic presentations, which are shown on the historical maps. This is quite understandable, because every such a map introduces an individual point of view on the historical facts. It is noted, that the most commonly used methods are the qualitative ones, among which, for instance, first of all, the method of signature is frequently used. In the case of historical maps displaying an event in the specific sequence of times, a loss of cartographic information always occur. This is connected both with the complexity of historical facts and with the difficulty in reading a map, which should present the dynamics of this phenomenon in a complete way. The dynamic variables, such as the time of exposure, duration, frequency, order, degree of change and synchronisation, should be taken into account on the maps of warfare. The use of information technology makes it possible to develop not only the simple maps presenting the course of warfare in the statistic and schematic ways, but also the maps, which are rich in various types of multimedia information. Multimedia cartographic presentations can be enriched with the photos and panoramas showing the direct effects of warfare and the pseudo three-dimensional visualization showing the battle from a selected direction. The proprietary software let to combine the sequence of photos into a presentation, allowing to take a virtual tour of the areas directly affected by the hostilities. Network services, such as WMS, WFS, WCS, provide the integrated data from the different sources for us. So, we can connect the archival maps with the contemporary satellite images, defining, thus, the location of a specific place in the terrain. The authors do not cover the issue of complexity connected with the elaboration of maps presenting the combat operations. The most important problems, which have not been discussed in this article, are the following ones: lack of base maps from the period to which the presented issues related, deliberate distortion of map contents, historical and cartographic imprecisions presented on the maps, appropriate selection of the methods of cartographic presentation related to the phenomena, which are presented on the maps.

Effectiveness of cartographic presentation methods applied within small-scale thematic maps in the press and on the Internet

Abstract The author discuss effectiveness of cartographic presentations. The article includes opinions of cartographers regarding effectiveness, readability and efficiency of a map. It reminds the principles of map graphic design in order to verify them using examples of small-scale thematic maps. The following questions have been asked: Is the map effective? Why is the map effective? How do cartographic presentation methods affect effectiveness of the cartographic message? What else can influence effectiveness of a map? Each graphic presentation should be effective, as its purpose is to complete written word, draw the recipients’ attention, make text more readable, expose the most important information. Such a significant role of graphics results in the fact that graphic presentations (maps, diagrams) require proper preparation. Users need to have a chance to understand the graphics language in order to draw correct conclusions about the presented phenomenon. Graphics should demonstrate the most important elements, some tendencies, and directions of changes. It should generalize and present a given subject from a slightly different perspective. There are numerous examples of well-edited and poorly edited small-scale thematic maps. They include maps, which are impossible to interpret correctly. They are burdened with methodological defects and they cannot fulfill their task. Cartography practice indicates that the principles related to graphic design of cartographic presentation are frequently omitted during the process of developing small-scale thematic maps used – among others – in the press and on the Internet. The purpose of such presentations is to quickly interpret them. On such maps editors’ problems with the selection of an appropriate symbol and graphic variable (fig. 1A, 9B) are visible. Sometimes they use symbols which are not sufficiently distinguishable nor demonstrative (fig. 11), it does not increase their readability. Sometime authors try too hard to reflect presented phenomenon and therefore the map becomes more difficult to interpret (fig. 4A,B). The lack of graphic sense resulting in the lack of graphic balance and aesthetics constitutes a weak point of numerous cartographic presentations (fig. 13). Effectiveness of cartographic presentations consists of knowledge and skills of the map editor, as well as the recipients’ perception capabilities and their readiness to read and interpret maps. The qualifications of the map editor should include methodological qualifications supported by the knowledge of the principles for cartographic symbol design, as well as relevant technical qualifications, which allow to properly use the tools to edit a map. Maps facilitate the understanding of texts they accompany and they present relationships between phenomenon better than texts, appealing to the senses.

Cartographic visualization of firehydrants accessibility for the purpose of decision making

Abstract The aim of this study is to present an exemplary cartographic visualization of fire hydrants data consisting of a set of thematic maps containing various information related to the location of hydrants, buildings and driveways in geographic space, and relationships existing between them. Identification of these relationships requires spatial analysis, and illustrating them requires the use of appropriate cartographic presentation methods. The study was conducted on a part of the city of Poznan using data on hydrants’ location and type collected and provided by the Fire Department. Geometric data, obtained using geoprocessing algorithms, were assigned appropriate symbols, which lets differentiate them qualitatively and quantitatively. An emphasis is placed on the use of adequate visual variables and on the cartographic communication efficiency. The result of the study is a cartographic visualization in the form of series of thematic maps arranged in a logical sequence, and providing information about the secured area. The thematic layers presenting the same area were arranged in different arrangements with maintenance of the reference layers, ensuring the ease of correlation. Such a cartographic visualization provides knowledge about the spatial distribution and diversity of objects and the relationships between them. It may be an important source of knowledge both at the identification stage and at the operational stage when conducting a firefighting action.

The concept of movable heritage cartographic presentation on the interactive map

Abstract This paper presents the proposition of cartographic presentation of the movable cultural heritage on interactive map. The original solution on how to link movable monuments with geographical space as well as the different types of spatial reference were described. The text shows both: the way of presentation of single movable monuments and collections of historical objects. The proposed solutions were based on the assumption that the number of heritage resources shown on the map is huge and, what is more, they can keep growing. So, the proposed solution must be able to apply for a resource of indeterminate size. For the presentation of the movable heritage the traditional methods of cartographic presentation, as well as interactive technologies were applied.

Choropleth maps and diagram maps in atlas of cartographic presentation methods

Abstract The online Atlas kartograficznych metod prezentacji [Atlas of cartographic presentation methods, hereinafter the Atlas] is a research project being carried out at the Department of Cartography of the University of Warsaw. The aim of the project is to systematize knowledge about the use of cartographic presentation methods. This study discusses selected issues related to two of the five presentation methods analysed in the project, viz. the choropleth map and the diagram map. A rational application of two quite commonly-used presentation methods leads to a number of problems. These problems are most easily visible during attempts to program its implementation in the web-based Atlas and are largely due to the difficulties with drawing a clear boundary between what is a good and a bad map. For this reason, the system operator’s skill and eye for the graphics of semi-automated visualisation seem to be of key importance.