Towards a complementary concept of a new national atlas of Poland
Journal Title: Polish Cartographical Review - Year 2014, Vol 46, Issue 1
Abstract
After the Atlas of Republic of Poland (Atlas Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej) appeared in 1997, several initiatives aiming to build on its scientific success took place. In 2001, the Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization of Polish Academy of Sciences published the Computer Atlas of Poland (Komputerowy Atlas Polski), and later, in 2002–2003 three detailed versions of a new national atlas were prepared for publication, but never finalized. In autumn of 2011, there appeared an idea of publishing a new national atlas for the centennial of Poland’s regaining its independence, 1918–2018 (P. Śleszyński, 2011). Considering all previous experience and conditioning, the idea of the atlas has to be approached more pragmatically in the next few years, from the point of view of science, financing and organization. Various publication forms proposed by different circles should not compete with one another. The strongest advantages of each form should be used preserving their scientific value. From the point of view of complexity, generalization, knowledge synthesis and the level of content the best form is the traditional “paper” atlas, comprising a well-considered set of maps. However, from the point of view of quantity and variety of contained information as well as the ways and forms of its systematization and presentation – the best possibilities are provided by a digital version (DVD, CD-ROM) and a website (thematic website, geoportal). Scientific, educational, prestige-related, practical and other goals should be realized with the help of most adequate means. This concept may be labeled as complementary. It can be realized in terms of science (ensuring a wide take on thematic problems in a variety of ways), education (transfer of scientific knowledge and cartographic methods of varying complexity to different user groups), organization (involving various institutions with their unique experience), usability (reaching a variety of user groups), prestige and financing-marketing. The most important, scientific objective can best be reached with a basic, exemplary and “prestigious” cartographic elaboration in a traditional printed book-plate form. Next should be a multimedia atlas in “Scandinavian” convention, broadening some notions otherwise impossible to be presented in the “paper” form, especially 3D imaging (e.g. DTM). It would attain mainly educational goals and provide access to often complex scientific knowledge to a lay user. Simultaneously, a cartographical website could be created (probably as yet another national geoportal) containing updated and more detailed problems, especially socio-economic in character, allowing for the creation of one’s own maps on the basis of socio-economic data and ensuring a high interactivity. The website could satisfy the need for an up-to-date, comprehensive and professional knowledge about the area of the country. The presented concept aims at a compromise between the knowledge, intentions and ideas of the scientific circles on the one hand and technical and organizational-financial possibilities on the other. Translated by M. Horodyski
Authors and Affiliations
PRZEMYSŁAW ŚLESZYŃSKI
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP131667
- DOI -
- Views 56
- Downloads 0
Visual features of cartographic representation in map perception
The author describes the properties and mechanisms of visual perception in the context of their significance to the principles of symbol design as used in cartography. Map perception relies on the process of visual perce...
The comparison of the scope of the content and classification methods on topographical maps of Polish territory annexed by Russia issued at the turn of 19th and 20th century
The aim of the article was a comparison of the content’s scope, classification and presentation methods on topographical maps issued at the turn of 19th and 20th century covering the territory of former Russian partition...
Problemy kalibracji mapy szczegółowej Polski w skali 1:25 000 Wojskowego Instytutu Geograficznego
Celem artykułu jest przedstawienie sposobu półautomatycznej kalibracji mapy szczegółowej Polski 1:25 000 wydawanej w latach dwudziestych i trzydziestych XX wieku przez Wojskowy Instytut Geograficznych w Warszawie. Koniec...
The problem of the availability of nautical charts and publications on the Northern Sea Route
Statistical studies of marine accidents and unfortunate events in ice-covered areas in 1995–2004 and 2004–2011 showed a general lack of information from the area under the jurisdiction of the Russian Federation. The auth...
Method vs. form – an attempt to classify cartographic presentation methods
The author of the article discusses the subject of terminology in the field of cartographic methodology. The general purpose is to propose an internally consistent system of concepts which allows classification of cartog...