Module 2 - Cartography

 After reading about the fundamentals, history, and principles of cartography, we were able to dive into the module two lab. 

We began with the concept of metadata, or as I best recall, "data about the data". Metadata includes data source, data lineage, coordinate system, amongst other important information. Screening metadata ensures that our data set is reliable, updated, and from a reputable source. Remember, our maps will only be as good as our data!

The bulk of this week's module consisted of preparing a map layout and all of its components. Just as you have to think thoroughly about what type of data will be included in a map, you must think about the layout elements to present said data. Considering your data’s end use, purpose, and end user will help you pursue the most practical map layout elements such as size, orientation, color scheme and more.

We were introduced to more technical items by creating a map that pin-pointed the location of the UWF campus in reference to Escambia County and the overall state of Florida. An inset map was created to provide a “zoomed out” reference point for Escambia County amongst other Florida counties, which contained the location of the UWF campus. This was by far my favorite element of the map.

In order to practice layering of data, adding context to our map, and experiment with the different types of symbology, we added shapefiles containing Florida cities, major rivers, and the interstates. We were able to geographically restrict information from those layers via “clipping” and saving our new feature classes in our geodatabase. We learned how to add the map essentials, (cartographer’s name, title, scale, legend, north arrow, data source, border, date) to our maps. 

UWF campus location in reference to prominent cities, interstates, and major 

rivers in Escambia County. Inset map included to better locate Escambia

county within the state of Florida.

GIS allows for analyst creativity as long as it is appropriate to the data presented. For example, I used the appropriate symbology color chart provided to select the colors for my map. Escambia county is not heavily developed and displays plenty of green areas, so I opted for a light green color. For the rest of Florida counties, I used yellow to represent areas that have been developed. Light pastel colors were chosen to not distract the user from the main data points. I wanted the map to display a “zoomed in” feel between the inset and the main map so I used the same color scheme for both; except in the inset map, the green for Escambia was darker so that it stood out from the myriad of other countries. 

This creative freedom in selection of color schemes, symbology, and general layout is both the best part of GIS, but also the most difficult as all must be best suited to represent your data. Overall, we learned map layout basics, refined our symbology skills, learned how to contour layer data to fit our desired extent, and used the UWF map essentials to create a well-rounded map to identify the UWF campus.