Google Earth Tour

For the lab assignment this week, we created a dot density population and surface water map of South Florida for presentation in Google Earth.  To create the map for Google Earth, we made the layers in ArcGIS Pro so they were represented with the proper color scheme and aesthetics.  We then converted those files to .kmz using the Layer to KML tool. We created a virtual tour based on the information we input and highlighted the major metropolitan areas in South Florida.  Below is a screenshot of my opening map screen in Google Earth.  The tour we created starts and ends at this view.

Isarithmic Mapping

For lab this week, we were tasked with creating an Isarithmic map of annual precipitation for the state of Washington.  We used annual precipitation data that was interpolated using PRISM from Oregon State University.  We used this data to create a hypsometric tinted map with contour lines and the hill shade effect to give a visual interpretation of annual rainfall and elevation within the state.  To create the hypsometric tint, we used the Int (Spatial Analyst Tool).  We then made contours with the contour list tool and matched the contours with our tinted areas.  This reinforces the visual effect of clear delineations of changes in annual precipitation.  We used the Esri provided precipitation color scheme to provide contrast and clear understanding.  On this map, the precipitation ranges from 10 inches or less, to 261 inches of rain per year.  Red represents the low end of the spectrum and blue represents the high end of the spectrum.  The legend indicates this with a continuous scale so as to be congruent with the notion of continuous data.

I personally enjoyed this lab because it is similar to what I used to do with ArcGIS and incorporates much of the data types and analysis that I love to work with.  The specific tools were new to me, but it just reinforces the power of ArcGIS as an analytical tool.

Wine Consumption in Europe

This week's lab assignment had us looking at population density per square kilometer and liters per capita wine consumption in Europe.  The purpose of the exercise was to have us gain experience in choropleth mapping and symbolization as well as graduated and proportional symbols usage.  This exercise also allowed us to become more familiar with classification and color schemes. 

For my map, I chose a continuous color scheme for population density along with a natural breaks classification scheme.  For the wine consumption, I selected a graduated symbol theme and used a manual interval classification scheme base most closely off the natural breaks method with 5 classes. I did this so I could break the data into groups that both included general outliers, but still identified trends.  I used grapes inside graduated circles to indicate the relative rate of consumption and I chose a deep purple combined with very light purple to contrast and provide nice compliment to the black and white choropleth map.  I completed all major mapping tasks in ArcGIS Pro and then transferred the document to Adobe Illustrator to create and position all country labels. 

I am still getting used to Adobe Illustrator and still find it clunky to use, but I definitely see the value in pairing ArcGIS and Adobe Illustrator to make the best maps.  The two programs have complimentary tools which, if used properly, can really help the map-maker.