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GENERALISATION

Map generalization refers to simplifying geographic data representation on a map to fit the scale while maintaining readability and understanding. It involves selecting important elements, classifying and grouping similar features, simplifying details, and exaggerating or displacing objects to fit at a given scale. The level of generalization depends on the map purpose, scale, graphic limits, and quality of data available. Generalization is necessary to reduce complexity and emphasize relevant information for map users.

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72 views

GENERALISATION

Map generalization refers to simplifying geographic data representation on a map to fit the scale while maintaining readability and understanding. It involves selecting important elements, classifying and grouping similar features, simplifying details, and exaggerating or displacing objects to fit at a given scale. The level of generalization depends on the map purpose, scale, graphic limits, and quality of data available. Generalization is necessary to reduce complexity and emphasize relevant information for map users.

Uploaded by

greyproperties88
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Map generalization

• Refers to method whereby information is selected and represented on a map in


away that adapts to the scale of the display medium of the map not necessarily
preserving all map details.
• Well generalized maps are those that emphasis the most important map
elements while still representing the world in the most faithful and
recognizable way. The level of detail and importance in what is remaining on
the map must outweigh the insignificance of items that were generalized as to
preserve the distinguishing characteristics of what makes the map useful and
important.
• Map generalization is the name of the process that simplifies the representation
of geographical data to produce a map at a certain scale with a defined and
readable legend.
• To be readable at a smaller scale, some objects are removed; others are
enlarged, aggregated and displaced one to another, and all objects are
simplified. During the process, the information is globally simplified but stays
readable and understandable.
• The smaller the scale, the less information is given per square kilometer.
Conversely, the larger the scale, the more detailed is the area mapped for the
When is generalization necessary?
• Reducing reality to map scale

1:400M

The real world A representation of the world


• The earth is too large with complex information for anyone
to easily understand
• We can reduce complexity by reducing scale and detail
• We can also emphasize on the subjects of interest which
serve the maps purpose - selection
• We then fit portrayal of selected features to the map scale
and to requirements of effective communication-
generalization
Selection-analogue and digital cartography
• In analogue cartography- selection is that at the very start
because once a map has been made, it is difficult to
modify.
• In digital cartography, attributes are selected from the
database and hence, easy to perform selection
Generalization methods
• Selection
• Classification
• Exaggeration/displacement
• Simplification
• Symbolization
• Combination
• Smoothing
• enhancement
Selection
• An intellectual process of deciding which features will be
necessary to serve the maps purpose. The choice is
either roads or no roads
• You need to have a clear idea on what to present via the
map.
Classification
• The goal of classification is to express salient character of
distribution. This is done by ordering, scaling and
grouping data by attribute values
• It groups similar phenomena in order to gain simplicity.
which DN values are forests? Which represent water?
• Data is put in some categories before it can be visualised

Numerical data Nominal/qualitative data


Simplification
• Determination of important characteristics of the
data
• Elimination of unwanted detail
• The retention & possible exaggeration of the
important characteristics
• What has to be discarded or retained depends on
• The relative importance of the item
• The relation of that class of data to the objective of the
map
• The graphic consequences of retaining them
Simplification Cont’d
• For many maps the question of which individual
data element to retain is a difficult test
• In the simplification operation, the elimination of
information regarding a feature or area must be
done in a way that maintains as far as possible its
intrinsic geographical nature
Exaggeration and Displacement
• Necessary to make certain features visible at smaller
scales
• Exaggeration inevitably results in the displacement of
features
• Displacement>> for features that may be located side by
side or one above the other. Displacement can be carried
out to make all features visible.
• Exaggeration>> enlargement of features
Symbolization
• Using symbols or graphic marks to represent features.

Ordinal Range-graded Ratio


Tertiary City < 20,000 20,000

Secondary City 20,000 - 100,000 50,000

Primary City > 100,000 100,000


Controls of Generalization
• Purpose of the map
• Scale
• Graphic limits
• Quality of Data
Map purpose
• What is the purpose of the map?
• Audience
• Is it to
• Be studied with time limit as might be the case with a
topographic map or general atlas
• Be shown briefly on a screen during presentation
• Provide general information or display structure of
particular distribution
• The following are some of the map purpose :
• Measurement,communication,storage of
information,navigation,planning etc
Scale
• Fundamental factor
• As a general rule, the smaller the scale the
greater the degree of generalization
• Each scale has corresponding appropriate
generalization
• At large scales e.g. plans, most of the
generalization is classification and symbolization
Graphic Limits
• Refers to the map users abilities to distinguish between
different map components
• Technical limits of the tools used
• Perceptual limits of human eye. e.g. ability to distinguish
colors.
Quality of Data
• Available data in terms of quantity and quantity affects
the amount of generalization. High resolution images will
have more details than low resolution images
Conclusion
The world is too complex that we can not represent
everything on a map or computer.
There is always need to generalize information
This depends on purpose, scale, data and technical limits.

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