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Graphic Lab	Digital cartography tutorials	Map making
Geographic vector mapping (fr↔en: 0%) - Bitmap relief mapping (fr↔en: 20%) - Topographic vector mapping (fr↔en: 100%)
Aquatic surface vector mapping (fr↔en: 1%) - Optimizing relief (fr↔en: 100%) - Integration of complementary data (fr↔en: 0%)
Wikipedia map creation resources - Standard cartographic conventions MAP Lab (request map creation)

The table above has links to various tutorials and resources which can help in the creation of Wikipedia maps from digital georeferenced data.

Introduction

Each of the tutorials relies on free content digital data (digital elevation models - DEMs - and other digital georeferenced data sourced from government sites), giving these data digital treatment in order to make them useable with a graphic editor program for the creation of maps. This method avoids, as far as possible, direct human intervention, either at source or during the process of creation (for example, hand-drawn lines) and thus reduces imprecisions: deformations in the projection or coastal contours, erroneous contour lines, incorrect spatial positioning of certain data, etc. These tutorials present a step by step method which makes accessible to everyone the creation of complex maps and which requires neither specific prior knowledge in cartography nor great drawing skill.

The tutorials presented here use the geographical information system (GIS) programs 3DEM and/or GRASS GIS to edit the cartographic data and to export these in formats supported by graphic editor programs. Various other GIS programs, both free and open source are available for different platforms. Each user can easily adapt these tutorials to suit their own computer configuration, the principles of creation remaining the same.

The maximum resolution of NASA shuttle radar topography mission (SRTM) data (used in these tutorials) for global cover reaches 93 m at the equator and are at present the most precise free content data available. It is thus possible to create large size detailed maps with only a few dozen kilometres per side. The creation of town plans with their network of streets requires much more precise and specific data which are not the subject of these tutorials.

Proposed map types

Example of geographic vector map with relief shading

• Geographical vector maps - for general, geopolitical or thematic maps, or as a more complete, precise and detailed alternative to those issued by the CIA World Factbook, for example.

< This tutorial is in progress >

The entire map is in vector format with the exception of the relief shadows (optional).

Example of a relief bitmap map

• Bitmap relief maps - when the representation of relief is important but precise indication of the contour lines is not required.

The background of the map is in bitmap format, whilst the complementary data are vectorial.

Example of a topographical vector map

• Topographic vector mapping - when the topography is the main subject.

The entire map is in vector format with the exception of the relief shading.

Complementary tutorials

• Aquatic surface vector mapping

An essential stage in the creation of each of the maps mentioned above when they contain a coastline.

• Optimizing relief

For more accurate reading of general relief forms.

• Integration of complementary data

< This tutorial is in progress >

To complete maps with bathymetry, watercourses, frontiers, towns, roads, etc.

• Thematic topographical maps

Adaptation of topographic maps for an application in the study of climatology, geology, hydrography, vegetation distribution, human geography, etc.

Further help

• Georeferenced cartographic resources

Programs, data sources and informative Internet sites specific to georeferenced digital cartography.

Didacticiel cartographiquef

The table above has links to various tutorials and resources which can help in the creation of Wikipedia maps from digital georeferenced data (GIS).