Monday, October 15, 2001		Article

Computer cartography to develop maps
Sumesh Raizada

FIVE centuries ago, Columbus discovered America, a region that later on turned out to be the most advanced and prosperous in the world. This ‘accidental’ discovery became possible through geographical aids like maps and compass. Ever since the formation of the civilised world consisting of regions with varying terrain like mountains, rivers and deserts, human beings always remained inquisitive about the world around them.

Continuous updation and modification took place in the maps as mankind explored further the unknown world around them. Data on landscape, water and forest reserves are recorded and illustrated in a two-dimensional image with the help of lines, curves, patterns and colours.

Maps are thus illustration of lines, points and areas that are determined by position with respect to the coordinates on the earth and their non-spatial attributes. In other words, they are virtual miniature representations of the world at any point of time, whether physical or political. Maps are so prepared that even an illiterate can locate a place or understand the depictions.

The art and science of making maps is called cartography that is now getting advanced and modernised throughout the world. New technologies are being introduced that have made map making more accurate, precise and simple. Geographical distances between places, elevation of hills, depths of ocean, mineral resources, forest reserves, population of endangered species, all can now be done with much more accuracy and in lesser time. The cartography involves combination of several trades and knowledge of subjects like astronomy, surveying, mathematics, drawing and engravings. Maps may vary depending upon the requirement and application, say maps depicting forest reserves and animal population will differ from those depicting minerals resources, rainfall, winds, tides or climate in an area. Similarly political maps are different from the physical in terms of layout, drawings. However maps are of utmost importance and utility for they give an instant description of a place and help in understanding about that region, population, resources and its culture.

The art and science of cartography has now advanced as geographers, researchers, software companies, and various user organisations have realised the importance of Information Technology. The advantages offered by computers in this field of geography are numerous and find useful application in a number of areas like mining, earthquake zone detection, defence, cultivation, irrigation, roads construction, town planning, under water exploration and mountain expeditions. Yet another career prospect awaits you even though you may not be a student of science or mathematics. This is the field of computer cartography. The experts in this field develop maps and images with the help of specific software and hardware. The cartographic software keeps into account various mathematical formulae, principles of applied and physical sciences, geographical features like elevations and time zones. The specialised software also makes use of fundamentals of astronomy and relevant rules of measurement or geological data for determining and displaying size, shapes and topography.

Computer-proficient cartographers play a significant role in mapping as well as surveying. Almost all leading universities in the West, especially USA and UK are conducting curriculum on computer-aided cartography techniques. These are University of Texas, Oklahoma, Oregon State and California State. Besides, there are professional organisations like the Society of Cartographers, Association of American Geographers, Mapping Science Institute and British Cartographic Society. Software firms like Microsoft and Sun, have developed software that is used specifically for map-making. These are MapArt, Map Point 2000 and ARC view.

Computer cartographers are involved in acquisition and management of geographical information with the help of computer software and other IT hardware like digital cameras. They develop electronic mapping systems for automobiles, prepare forests inventories, suggest and prepare improvement plan for navigation system. These professionals are also required in related areas like remote sensing, photogrammetry, spatial analysis, surveying, GPS, Geodesy, etc. In remote sensing or photogrammetry cartographers make use of satellite or camera images and process them through computer programs to prepare maps. These techniques are used where human being cannot reach physically or areas that are environmentally hazardous. The data or maps are stored in spatial analysis system and used in land planning, telecommunication, geological surveys, medical research, power distribution and irrigation. With the help of electronic theodolites, cartographers produce maps, plans and digital model of areas that are of extreme relevance in defence. They also provide support in railways, bridge and roads construction, natural and mineral resource management etc.

As the Internet is spreading its reach, more Web-based software are coming up to transport cartographic data from one end to another and thus more avenues exist for professionals who will generate and work on Web-based cartographic data. Software professionals have opportunity to develop more user friendly, affordable and application specific packages for cartography. The enormous data so collected is compiled in a computer and then vector-based maps, specific to user requirement are prepared. Computer cartographers are also required to convert old print maps into digitised ones and to make them more accurate with the help of latest data collection and imaging techniques.

Some of the leading IT companies like Microsoft and Oracle offer software as well as hardware specific to cartography. Thus vast career avenues exist in these firms for professionals to develop programs or prepare database. Indian geographers are also not lagging behind their Western counterpart as far as IT-based cartographic education, training and career prospects are concerned. De Beers, a leading company in diamond exploration and mining, has its exploration office in Bangalore where it offers opportunity for cartographers who could prepare maps to guide the exploration and mining staff. Endoxon, a Delhi-based geo solution company in cartography, Web-based geo applications and marketing, employ project executives for its cartography-related projects. Those who have experience in vector graphic software like Freehand, Corel Draw Illustrator are desired for the position. Knowledge of Photoshop, scanning and printing techniques are also essential for a computer cartographer.

SGS Infotech, a Delhi-based company providing software-based mapping solutions, data processing and digitising services employs professionals for development of mapping software. More avenues for computer cartographers shall arise in department like Forest Research Institute and Geological Survey of India.

Computer cartography course conducted by some of the foreign universities expose students to thematic and terrain surface mapping, programming languages, computer-assisted cartographic techniques, map projection, interpretation and use of the Internet. Professionals employed in Forest Survey of India, located at places like Dehra Dun, Shimla and Bangalore are engaged in thematic and vegetation mapping using satellite and aerial imagery, electronic processing of inventory data and data banking, providing training on cartographic techniques, designing of methodology related to forest surveys.

Computer cartographers are also in great demand in organisations like NASA and the National Science Foundation where they assist in advanced research projects.