At the end of the XX century, thanks to active automation and digitalization, cartography has become the holder and manager of vast amounts of information about the most critical aspects of human existence. Digitalization has penetrated all spheres of science and life – from school education to state policy. Online mapping technology merged information technology, geographic information systems, and unique methods for collecting, storing, analyzing, and graphically visualizing spatial data into the invaluable toolkit – mapping software.
Value of spatial and geographic data
Spatial data form the basis of information support for geographic information systems. The collection of spatial data recorded (stored) in one way or another is called a spatial database. One of the main functions of GIS and geographic information systems is the creation and use of electronic maps, atlases, and other cartographic works. Geographic information systems are used with great success in the following industries:
- Mining operations – monitoring of mining enterprises, control over mining operations;
- Industrial production – enterprise design, calculations, audit, and monitoring;
- Construction industry – communications design;
- Economics – conducting expert evaluations, marketing planning, management;
- Administrative management – accounting of administrative subordination, informational support of election campaigns, consulting, territory management;
- Ecology – solving problems in emergencies, environmental monitoring;
It is customary to distinguish between the following territorial levels of GIS: global, national, regional, municipal, and local.
GIS is subdivided according to the subject. Geographic information systems, specialized land information systems, cadastral, environmental, training, marine, and many other systems have been created. One of the most common in geography is resource-type GIS. They are formed based on vast and diverse on the subjects of information arrays. They are intended for inventory, assessment, protection, and rational use of resources, forecasting the results of their operation.
The GIS structure is usually represented as a set of information layers. For example, the base layer contains elevation data, followed by layers of the hydrograph, road network, settlements, soils, vegetation, the spread of pollutants, etc. Conventionally, these layers can be considered in the form of a “whatnot,” on each shelf of which a map or digital information on a specific topic is stored.
How to leverage the power of layers
In the process of solving the tasks, the layers are analyzed individually or jointly in different combinations, perform their overlapping (overlay) and zoning, calculate correlations, etc. Say, according to the data on the elections, it is possible to build the layers “voter turnout by-election precincts” and “voting results for a particular party.” Analyzing these layers, we can conclude the work of agitators in the districts.
When employing Aspectum, the primary attention is always paid to the choice of a geographical basis and a basemap, which serves as a framework for subsequent linking, combining and coordinating all the data coming into Aspectum GIS, for mutual coordination of information layers and subsequent analysis using an overlay. Depending on the topic and the problematic orientation, the following can be selected as fundamental:
- Maps of administrative divisions;
- Topographic and general geographic maps;
- Cadastral maps and plans;
- Photographic cards and photo portraits of the area;
- Landscape maps;
- Maps of natural zoning and schemes of natural contours;
- Land use maps.
Combinations of these bases are also possible, for example, landscape maps with topographic maps or detailed maps with land use maps, etc. In each case, the selection and additional preparation of a base map is the central task of the stage of geographic and cartographic justification of Aspectum. The core of Aspectum GIS is an automated mapping system — a set of instruments and software tools that enable the creation and use of maps. Aerospace-oriented GIS, like Aspectum, allows you to perform various operations with images: to carry out their correction, transformation, improvement, automatic recognition, decryption, and classification.
