School of Data Fellow Codrina Maria Ilie gave this skillshare as part of our community series. In this slideshare, you will learn why maps are useful visualization tools as well as what doesn't work with maps. And Codrina shares some tool examples. Be sure to check the detailed notes. About School of Data: http://schoolofdata.org/ About Open Knowledge: Okfn.org ( Presented via G+ On Friday October 10, 2014 )

1. World
Mapping
PRESENTED BY
Codrina Maria ILIE
codrina@geo-spatial.org

2. Summary
So what will we be talking about?
● Mapping. Super short introduction
● What kind of data can one map?
● Looking at one’s data
● Tools to make beautiful maps
● Resources

3. So..what is mapping all about?
first maps looked like this…
OLAUS MAGNUS, 1539 Carta Marina

4. And our interaction with them, like this..
Elizabeth I of England (1533 - 1603)

5. Today, our maps are a little bit different…

6. And the interaction seems to have changed too..

7. Is my data ‘map-able’ ?
Is a map the best way to visualize my data?
Do you have a location related info?
Then, YES, it is map-able.
But…
Maps are useful when significant information is
added through spatial correlations and analysis.

8. Looking at the data
Data is neutral!
● Data interpretation gives knowledge (meaning)
● Steps to build the best map ever: put all your
information on it and then start removing what (YOU)
consider is not significant for the purpose of the map.
● Understand what you map!

9. What?! They are both correct?!
Mathematically, yes.

10. Looking at the data
types of data – forms of maps
Data can be:
● sequential 1,2,3,4,5..
● diverging -2,-1,0,1,2
● qualitative white, blue, red
Maps can be:
● Choropleth
● Isopleth
● Proportional symbols
● Dot maps
Metadata!

11. The same dataset is mapped. The number of classes
and the division method are the same. The only
different thing is the projection and the form of map

12. The impression of ‘being on
top’ is given by visual
contrast.
Visual hierarchy

13. Map data check
● Geographical elements! ( such as name places)
● Correct position of what you manually placed on your map + geocoded
● Topology (no duplicates, no silver polygons)
● Have you removed all unnecessary information ?
● What about cartographic elements? Projection, color, legend, scale
● Data attribution!

14. Mapping tools
Free and Open Source tools

15. Resources - Open (geo)data portals
http://www.naturalearthdata.com/
Free vector and raster map data at 1:10m, 1:50m, and 1:110m scales
http://www.geonames.org/
The GeoNames geographical database covers all countries and contains over
eight million place names that are available for download free of charge.
http://www.eionet.europa.eu/about
The official EU geoportal for environmental data
http://data.un.org/
The United Nations database
http://publicdata.eu/
a Pan European data portal, providing access to open, freely reusable datasets
from local, regional and national public bodies across Europe.

16. A map is the most scientific work of art one can truly hope for.
Thank you!