Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with maps and cartography

Where did that continent go?

WhackyparseThis — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 01:39:01 -0800

Is there any technical reason why Antarctica often gets left off world maps?

Where in the world is.........

micklaw — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 17:47:52 -0800

Please pass on your favourite online mapping websites, with an emphasis on interactive applications. I really love maps. I spend a lot of time using a variety of (mainly educational) online maps such as the WWF Wildfinder, NationMaster, Reuters AlertNet, Globalis and the very excellent Geoscience Australia Sentinel Bushfire tool and so on. Maps of War is also an excellent resource in a similar vein, although not as interactive as those previously listed.

Anyway, the internet being what it is, I am sure there are many more fantastic resources online that I have not yet come across and I would love to tap the collective mind of Metafiler users to help me expand my mapping horizons.

Post your recommendations, particularly with an emphasis on non-US maps (global or other regions would be most useful) as these will be used in a non-US school.

Thanks in advance!

How to maps some trails with a GPS?

SNACKeR — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 09:57:32 -0800

How can I create a trail map using a GPS? I would like to walk (or bike) some old logging roads and generate a map that I can then print. There must be way to do this using a GPS and cartography software, but I have been unable to find a solution. Any recommendations for a GPS that is suitable for this would also be welcome. I currently have a Garmin 250W.

Perhaps there is a solution using Google Earth?

I have a GIS question.

BoldStepDesign — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 16:37:10 -0800

Basically, I want to build mapping system, similar to google maps, using something like Map server & open layers. Take in my own image, such as a building map, define roads or “hallways”, and import points via a XML or RSS feed. I want an interface that I can take the xml feed and run it under the map in a box, displaying it under the map, allowing users to click on the event, and being able to see where they need to go, and using a current fixed position, being able to see how to get there.

Mapgeek looking for a career

desjardins — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 09:56:45 -0800

What kind of career can I pursue that involves maps, apart from the obvious (cartography, GIS, geography teacher)? I love maps. Correction: I LOVE maps. I want to think outside the box and compile a list of alternative career opportunities that involve maps in some way; either creation or analysis. My minimum is $40K/year. Domestic or foreign travel is fine but I don't want to relocate outside of the US (preferably midwest or west coast). Not-for-profit is OK. I'd love something I can do as a consultant, though I realize that might be tough in the current economic climate. I'm mostly interested in demography/human geography/sociological issues. Not especially interested in environmental/sustainability issues. I have a Master's in urban planning with a concentration in GIS.

My skills/education (not exhaustive):

GIS (ArcGIS, MapInfo, Idrisi)

Cartography

Urban planning

Web design

Basic graphic design (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)

Basic database development & management

Research/statistics/data analysis

Basic VB

Excellent writing and editing

Good presentation skills
Good troubleshooting/problem solving

Intermediate spoken/written French

Skills I want to acquire:

Web dev (PHP, AJAX, ASP.net, etc.)

Programming (C#, etc, open to suggestions)

Expand RDMS skills (MySQL, etc)

Spanish

I welcome contact through MeFi mail or my gmail listed in my profile.

Calling all mapmakers

furnace.heart — Mon, 12 May 2008 14:25:54 -0800

Resources on amateur cartography? Help me make some maps. I have been fairly interested in maps my whole life, and over the next few months i will be taking a series of trips that i would like to document with some hand-drawn maps. I am an avid journaler, and would like to incorporate some (hopefully well-done) maps. I have a pretty basic drawing background, and am comfortable sketching up things....but i have no idea how to go about gauging how to sort of draw a map from scratch.

Does anyone have any good websites, books or even practical advice while drawing basic maps?

Is there a cartographer in the house?!

What about London should I map?

viewofdelft — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 13:23:05 -0800

What about London should I map? I'm in an Advanced GIS class for which I need to produce a final cartographic project. The project must begin in ArcGIS but from there I'm free to use anything else (Illustrator, Flash, Google Earth, etc). In the spirit of John Snow, I'd like to make my upcoming trip to London a force for academic good.

I have a GPS unit, a DSLR camera, a student's budget, and a winning personality. What should I map? I'm open to all suggestions as long as they meet the following criteria:

1) The map should present complex and interesting information. I'm not too worried about this one because questions soliciting suggestions on this site often generate very interesting answers.

2) The project/map should be focused. I'll be in London for only a week and I'd like to make the data collection effort into a sort of overarching theme for my visit. That means I should probably confine my map to one neighborhood or area (I'm staying in Soho, but don't let that restrict you).

3) The data can come from any (accessible) source. I'd like to have a little fun gathering the data, but if your suggestions for a map can just as easily be constructed with data from other sources, I'd be happy to hear them. I live in the United States, so any return trips are out of the question this semester.

Thanks in advance. If I choose to go with one of the suggestions, I'll keep you updated.

Terms for battle maps?

wowbobwow — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 07:47:42 -0800

Official terminology to describe battle movement maps? (more inside) Please help me find what the proper term is to describe the large physical maps used by generals etc to plan attacks and troop movements. Think the big tables where they shuffle little objects around with long sticks, like in some old war films. Is there one definitive term for this?

you got map'd

pinto — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 13:17:10 -0800

What are the best essays, books, or scholarly articles regarding the social role of maps? Both pre- and post- web 2.0, google earth mash ups, and the like. I'm familiar with the Situationalist critique, but wonder where else to begin reading. Bonus: Current mapping projects which seem particularly relevant with regard to socialization, cultural production, etc.

Maps on a Mac

MarshallPoe — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 13:08:20 -0800

GraphicsFilter: Help me find a program to import and mark up maps on a Mac. I want a graphics programs that will allow me to import line maps and mark them up with colors, symbols and so on. I know how to use simple graphics programs (e.g., OmniGraffle, which I love), but fear Illustrator. What are my choices? Should I fear Illustrator?

Also, I assume I need to buy the graphics program, purchase the line maps, import them, and then mark them up. Is that right?

"The Map of a Single province covered the space of an entire City."

viewofdelft — Tue, 15 May 2007 08:50:20 -0800

I'm looking for maps "the same scale as the Empire." Both Jorge Luis Borges and Lewis Carroll describe fictional 1:1 scale maps in which the map is as vast as what it represents.

What other 1:1 maps can be found in literature (or the real world, for that matter)? I'd also be happy if you point me towards other outlandish maps on par with the 1:1 map. Thanks.

Man, the beltway sure is a pretty octagon!

phrontist — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 13:00:08 -0800

Is there a geographically accurate map of the DC metro system? Like this London tube map?

Is there a GIS + Google Maps website?

blacklite — Sat, 09 Dec 2006 20:46:42 -0800

Is there a website that lets you show GIS data (i.e. standard geographical data from various sources) on Google Maps? I thought I had seen something like this referenced in a MetaFilter post, or here, but I can't find it anywhere. Help, o wise people.

where the 性交 am I?

luriete — Tue, 18 Oct 2005 11:27:14 -0800

How do I see this google map of Japan with English placenames?

GIS & London assistance required

kuperman — Mon, 18 Apr 2005 15:19:49 -0800

Looking for a street shape file of London that is readable and useful in ArcView 3.2. Oh yeah, it would be nice to find it for free. Any takers?