COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND ALLIED SCIENCES

SCHOOL OF ALLIED HEALTH SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

HIM 411 – GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM

Lecture 1, 2 & 3
Basic Cartography: Introduction to Maps
Introduction
• Cartographic product presents the results of the
GIS analysis as a map.
• Maps can inform and persuade.
• Cartographer must lay out the map(s) to tell the
story.
• Know your audience.
Introduction
• A Geographic Information System may be viewed as the result of a
marriage of Computer Assisted Cartography (CAC) and database
technology.

• Compared to maps, GIS has the inherent advantage - that data

storage and data presentation are separate. As a result, data may be
presented and viewed in various ways.

• No other information system is capable of doing this.

Introduction
Reasons for using computers in cartography
1. To make existing maps more quickly
2. To make existing maps more cheaply
3. To make maps for specific user needs
4. To make map production possible in situations where skilled staff are
unavailable
5. To allow experimentation with different graphical representation of
the same data
6. To facilitate map making and updating when data are already in digital
form
Introduction
Reasons for using computers in cartography
7. To facilitate analysis of data that demand interaction between statistical
analysis and mapping
8. To minimize the use of the printed map as a data store and thereby to
minimize the effects of classification and generalization on the quality of the
data
9. To create maps that are difficult to make by hand, e.g. 3D maps or
stereoscopic maps
10. To create maps in which selection and generalization procedures are
explicitly defined and consistently executed.
11. Introduction of automation can lead to a review of the whole map-making
process, which can also lead to savings and improvements.
Introduction
Cartography and GIS

• Understanding the way maps are encoded to be used in GIS

requires knowledge of cartography

• Cartography is the science that deals with the construction,

use, and principles behind maps
What is a map?
• A representation of a place .
• A map is a depiction of all or part of the earth or other geographic
phenomenon as a set of symbols and at a scale whose representative
fraction is less than one to one.
• A simplified depiction of a space which highlights relations between
objects within that space.
• A graphic representation of a portion of the earth’s surface drawn to
scale.
• A diagrammatic representation of the earth’s surface (or part of it).
• Models of reality .
What is a map? (ii)
• “A graphic depiction of all or part of a geographic
realm in which the real-world features have been
replaced by symbols in their correct spatial location at
a reduced scale.”

power line
Types of Maps Based on Scale
• On the basis of scale, maps may be classified into large-scale and
small-scale.
• Large scale maps are drawn to show small areas at a relatively large-
scale. For example:
✓the topographical maps drawn at a scale of 1: 250,000, 1:50,000 or
1:25,000 and
✓the village maps, the zonal plans of the cities and house plans
prepared on a scale of 1:4,000, 1:2,000 and 1:500 are large scale
maps.
• On the other hand, small-scale maps are drawn to show large areas.
For example, atlas maps, wall maps, etc.
Types of Maps Based on Scale
There are two major types of maps based on scale:
1. Large-scale Maps: Large-scale maps are further divided into the following
types :
(a) Cadastral maps
(b) Topographical maps
2. Small-scale Maps: Small-scale maps are further divided into the following
types :
(a) Wall Maps
(b) Atlas Maps
Types of Maps Based on Scale
There are two major types of maps based on scale:
1. Large-scale Maps: Large-scale maps are further divided into the following types :
(a) Cadastral Maps :
• The term ‘cadastral’ is derived from the French word ‘cadastre’ meaning ‘register of
territorial property’. These maps are drawn to show the ownership of landed
property by demarcating field boundaries of agricultural land and the plan of
individual houses in urban areas.
• These maps are drawn on a very large scale, such as the cadastral maps of villages
at 1 : 4,000 scale and the city plans at a scale of 1 : 2,000 and larger.
Types of Maps Based on Scale
There are two major types of maps based on scale:
1. Large-scale Maps: Large-scale maps are further divided into the
following types :
(b) Topographical Maps :
These maps are also prepared on a fairly large scale. The topographical
maps are based on precise surveys and are prepared in the form of
series of maps made by the national mapping agencies of almost all
countries of the world.
Types of Maps Based on Scale
There are two major types of maps based on scale:
2. Small-scale Maps: Small-scale maps are further divided into the
following types :
(a) Wall Maps :
• These maps are generally drawn on large size paper or on plastic base
for use in classrooms or lecture halls.
• The scale of wall maps is generally smaller than the scale of
topographical maps but larger than atlas maps.
Types of Maps Based on Scale
There are two major types of maps based on scale:
2. Small-scale Maps: Small-scale maps are further divided into the
following types :
(b) Atlas Maps :
• Atlas maps are very small-scale maps. These maps represent fairly
large areas and present highly generalised picture of the physical or
cultural features.
Map function in GIS
• Storage
• Temporary communication
• Intermediate check of data
• Final report

• To be effective, a map must be correctly designed and

constructed.
Map function in GIS
•GIS Maps has tools to do things like...
• Bring the data into the map interface
• Display data in different ways
✓Thematic maps, With different symbols
• Look at sets of data together to see patterns and
relationship
• Analyze data to create new information
Map function in GIS
• You can use a GIS map to answer questions.
• For example:
• Children exposed to industrial pollutants have
higher rates of Asthma and other illnesses.
• You want to know:
• Are children in your City’s School at risk?
Map function in GIS

Need
• School feature data
• Zoning with different
categories
(Agriculture,
industrial, Residential)
Map function in GIS

Use GIS tools to

create buffer Around
schools
- Buffer tool
Map function in GIS

Select intersect
tool to find
how many
schools are
intersect with
industrial zone
Map function in GIS

Final cartographic
representation
To show the decision

This decision depends on

the business rules such as
-Type of industry
- size of buffer zone
(500m)
 Primary functions of a GIS
There are 3 functions of a GIS = visualization, Geo-data management and Analysis

1. Visualization
2. Geo-data Management

3. Analysis
 Real World representation in GIS maps
1. A feature/object......

A feature has
four
components
• Shape
• Location
• Symbol
• Attributes
2. Layer
Layer is collection of features
3. Scale
3. Scale

Source: www.ESRI.com
 COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND ALLIED SCIENCES
SCHOOL OF ALLIED HEALTH SCIENCES
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

HIM 411 – GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEM

Lecture 1, 2 & 3
ELEMENTS OF MAPS
ELEMENTS OF MAPS

• SCALE Distribution of Clones by Study Districts in

Central Region, Ghana
• DIRECTION

• METADATA

• LEGEND

• MAP BODY (active frame)

• TITLE

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 The Parts of a Map: Map Elements
Neat line Border Title

The United States of America

Figure

Legend

Ground Scale
Washington,D.C.
National Capital
Alaska 0 1 2 3 4
Hawaii hundreds of
kilometers

Lambert Conformal Conic Projection

0 4 04 Source: U.S. Dept. of State

Inset Place name North Arrow Credits

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SCALE: Dimensional relationship between reality and the map
• RATIO: 1”=100’ or 1:5,000
• GRAPHIC SCALE BAR:
PROS: can be used when there is potential for the original to be reproduced and presented at
different scale. The scale bar presented with the map and is subject to the same
enlargement/reduction.

CONS: Without the scale expressed as a ratio it requires the map users to scale the scale bar
to determine the presentation scale of the map. There is inherent errors in the scaling.

Determination of Scale:
• Specific scale requirement
Does the map have to be presented as a specific
scale?
• Geographic area of coverage
Is it a map of the entire City or subset? • Presence and nature of associated features
• Preference as to number of maps Associated features necessary?
A single map or map book? • Space/size limitations
• Feature size and density Mounted on a wall? Used inside a vehicle?
Is it a small feature, does the feature occur • Hardware
frequently with density? dpi, page size, paper width, colour…
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 DIRECTION
• Reference North
• Should be positioned to point upward or
to the right side of the map/figure

LEGEND: explains the meaning of the symbols/symbols used

• Consider all line styles/weights, hatches/fill, points/symbols
used in the map.
If it appears in the map it should appear in the legend.
• Provide sub-headers to organise information types.
Base Mapping, Vegetation Communities…
• Element should be called off according to their correct form
polygons should be described as areas, linear features
should be described as boundaries/limits...

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MAP BODY
• The active frame or map area.
• The cartographic canvas.
• Cartographic elements of Distribution of Clones by Study Districts in
communication: Central Region, Ghana
– line weight
– line style
– hatch style/colour
– fill style/colour
– point symbols
– annotation

TITLE

A MAP MUST HAVE A MEANINGFUL TITLE!

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METADATA

• Sources of Information
• Accuracy
• Currency
• References to Statutes, Bylaws...
• Limitations of Use
• Warranties/disclaimers
• Project Number

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 Map Design
Data Representation & Design Variables
Symbolization

What types of symbol dimension does the real

feature invoke
• Point
• Line
• Polygon (Area)
• Volume

Geographic representation of dimension can vary with map scale

• Tree – point or volumetric
• Building – point, area
• Park – point, area
• Road – Line, area
• Town – Area, Point
• Lake – Area, line
Levels of measurement (Scale) Qualitative data= nominal and Quantitative
data=ratio/interval, ordinal 37
Symbolization.......
Design variables:
Shape, Size, Orientation, character, pattern/texture, Density, Value, Saturation
- Qualitative symbols:
Shape = is the graphic provided by the distinctive appearance of a form
Orientation = refers to the directional arrangement of an individual mark
Pattern = size and spacing of component marks that make up a pattern

- Quantitative Symbols:
Size = image vary in size when they have different apparent dimension, area etc.
Value = lightness/darkness
Saturation = refers to the degree to which a hue departs from a gray tone of the value
Spacing = pattern varied in according to their spacing (dots or lines)

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 Design Parameters to consideration:
Major parameters:

1. Association
a. Pictorial symbols
b. Associative symbols
c. Geometric

2. Contrast – Essential to separate the data into visually apparent sets

a. Thick and thin lines
b. Difference in size

3. Legibility – complexity of symbols

4. Aesthetics
a. Appearance
b. Beauty

5. Cartographic conversion –
Familiarity with patterns can increase efficiency of communication
a. Red - Highway b. Blue - water c. Boundary line - colour d. Urban - fill
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Basic properties of geographic features

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Visual Layout
Title Here

Title Here

Eye expects (1) balance and (2) alignment

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FUNCTIONS/USES AND PURPOSES OF MAPS
●Position/Location: A map gives the location or position of places or
features

●Spatial Relationships: A map gives the spatial relationship between

features

●Distance, Direction, Area: We can determine a lot of information from a

map such as distances, directions and areas

●Visual Impression

●As a tool for Spatial Planning and Allocation of Resources

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SOURCES OF INFORMATION FOR MAPPING
a) Base Maps (topographic and thematic)
b) Physical survey
c) Remote Sensing
-aerial photographs
-satellite imageries
-videography
d) Statistical data
Topographic Map
e) Tracking (GPS) Thematic Map
f) World wide web (Internet)
g) Libraries
h) Ancillary data

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GIS Analysis
•Much of GIS analysis and description
consists of investigating the properties of
geographic features and determining the
relationships between them.

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Godwin Adzakpah
+233 (0) 24 417 0155
[email protected] 45