# A systematic approach to national data mapping C J P N van Elzakker \* In 1981, Plate XI-16-S of the Atlas of the Netherlands, entitled “Outdoor Recreation”, was published. The plate, designed by the author of this article, was one of the final sheets of the supplement to the first edition of this national atlas [1]. For preparation of this plate, it appeared to be necessary to make a study of outdoor recreation, in general, and the mapping of that phenomenon, in particular. The report on those studies was published in the Dutch language [2]. The approach to the general problem of systematic national atlas mapping described in the article was derived from the experience gained in that project. ## A PROPOSAL FOR A SYSTEMATIC APPROACH TO NATIONAL ATLAS MAPPING In the following, it is assumed that all technical and economic aspects of production have been settled and that the decision to produce the atlas has been taken. This approach focusses, then, mainly on the problem of selection of contents and map design. In this problem, of course, the practical decisions taken at the beginning of the project also play a very important part, but for reasons of clarity they are regarded here as being mere external conditions. The systematic approach to national atlas mapping discussed in this paper is outlined in Figure 1. The respective stages of this approach are briefly described below. ## Stage 1: Purpose and use of the atlas The first stage in national atlas mapping, as in all mapping, should be a thorough examination and definition of the purpose(s) of the atlas and the needs and general characteristics of its potential users. All stages that follow must be closely related to the purpose and use of the atlas. This appeal for conscious, functional mapping may seem superfluous, but cartographers (map editors) very often do not know exactly for what and for whom they are making a map. Stage 2: Selection of atlas contents Based on the definitions of purpose and use, the contents of the national atlas can be selected by the editorial team. Monmonier [3] is correct in postulating that this selection of atlas content is at least as important as symbology to the design of a map—if not more so. ## Stage 3: Subject study Each subject selected in Stage 2 should be studied in more detail to find which aspects can be considered for mapping. ![](images/ccdfd09d5a7cec8f7bacc2f23617213e2d639794f36ee464ac4f5438c8b826a8.jpg) FIGURE 1 Systematic approach to the design of a national atlas sheet National atlases generally include maps of a great variety of subjects. These subjects are sometimes fairly complicated and the help of scientists or other experts in these subjects is therefore often indispensable. Because these specialists probably also have to assist in collecting the data, close cooperation with them must be established at an early stage. Stage 4: Choice of individual sheet contents As with the selection of total atlas contents, the choice of the information content of each individual atlas sheet is as important as the selection of the symbols by which this information is represented. The selected contents of individual sheets should be based on the preceding general study of the subject to be mapped, but mainly on the purpose of the atlas and the needs and characteristics of its users. In some cases, it may be necessary to reinvestigate the users' requirements with respect to the mapping of one particular subject on an individual map sheet. In Stage 2, the particular subjects to be included in the national atlas were defined. The same principle applies to the choice of the aspects of that subject that will be mapped. ## Stage 5: Nature of the information As for all mapping, national atlas cartographers who are responsible for the design of the maps must be aware of the characteristics of the information they have to represent. In essence, mapping is the translation of geographical information into graphical symbols. For a good translation, it is essential that the cartographer knows exactly the character of that information because this character must be preserved in the map as much as possible. This is comparable to translation from one language into another, which is possible only if the exact meanings are known. As a follow-up to the studies carried out in Stage 3, therefore, the nature of the information to be mapped must be carefully examined. Here also, the help of specialists may be indispensable. ## Stage 6: Most ideal map design After passing through the previous stages, a “most ideal” map design can be made. The design is called “most ideal” because it is entirely based on the purposes of the atlas, the needs and wishes of its users and the characteristics of the particular subject to be mapped. In this stage, the (limiting) availability of (statistical) data is completely ignored. In practice, map design often proceeds immediately from the available data. Without the “ideal” in mind, however, the relative importance of these data with respect to the factors mentioned above cannot be assessed properly: sound motivation for the choice of data to map and the way of mapping them is not possible, and there is no certainty about the extent to which the purpose of mapping can be fulfilled. Even in a most ideal map design, it is, of course, generally not possible to meet all needs of all users; it is feasible to try to meet only the most important needs of as many users as possible. In designing an ideal map sheet, such factors as readability, legibility and surveyability should be taken into account. In addition, for reasons of comparability, map scales should be chosen from the scale series applied in the national atlas as a whole. ## Stage 7: Data collection Only after proposing the most ideal map sheet is an inventory made of the available necessary statistical data. In this stage, it becomes clear how far the theoretical ideal map sheet can be realized in practice. Stage 8: Final arrangement of the map sheet If, because of lack of data, it is not possible to produce the most ideal plate, it may be decided to completely abandon the mapping of the subject or to show only some mappable aspects of it. Such a decision cannot be reached objectively when starting with only the available data. Even if there are very few data present, available but unimportant data are not used as starting points for mapping. Space created by the absence of ideal data can be better used for representing the mappable aspects of the subject in greater detail on a larger scale, or for dividing a map into more maps (if not contradictory to the purpose and use of the map). Enlargement of scale may increase legibility, and simplification of complex maps by splitting them up may increase the effectiveness of the information transfer. Other minor changes in the ideal map content and design proposals are possible—and often needed—because the statistical data are usually not collected for the exclusive purpose of national atlas mapping. If it is ultimately decided to produce the plate and it is finally arranged and designed, the actual map production stages can begin. ## THE BASIS FOR MAPPING OUTDOOR RECREATION IN THE ATLAS OF THE NETHERLANDS The general purpose of the Atlas of the Netherlands is the same as that of almost all other national atlases in the world: to map all geographical aspects that are relevant to the country and its population. In recent years, outdoor recreation has become a topic with very important spatial aspects. Therefore, a plate on “Outdoor Recreation” could not be omitted in the Atlas. The contents of this particular plate were based on the purposes of the whole Atlas: the spatial components of outdoor recreation in the Netherlands had to be shown as completely as possible. To be able to do that, it was necessary to study outdoor recreation in more detail and to consult some experts in the field. This study resulted in a definition and general classification of the subject, as shown in Figure 2. This classification—though not rigid, and with many overlaps—served as a starting point for the complete mapping of the subject. Another starting point was formed by the requirement that the plate had to be suitable for continuous more or less scientific research (for example, for physical planning). An inventory was therefore made of the needs and wishes of the possible users of the Atlas regarding the contents and design of this plate—including among other things, visiting or writing many planning and research institutes. After: the inventory, it appeared that the divisions presented in Figure 2 coincided very well with the needs of the potential users. ## THE SEARCH FOR THE MOST IDEAL WAY OF MAPPING OUTDOOR RECREATION Based on the starting points discussed above, the contents of a most ideal plate on outdoor recreation were selected. Map design took place after a thorough examination of the nature of the aspects of outdoor recreation to be mapped. ![](images/f997e6b52f62b18e6b68a007f9a7903c3f52f7f426c21b66da2782a72f4e57e5.jpg) FIGURE 2 Classification of recreation activities for mapping outdoor recreation in the Netherlands In this case, a plate consisting of a number of small scale maps—each showing a particular aspect of outdoor recreation—appeared to be the best solution. Mapping all aspects of outdoor recreation in one or two larger scale maps would have harmed the legibility of the maps, and the detailed mapping of only a few aspects at large scale would not cover all important aspects of outdoor recreation. (Many small scale maps with much information were preferable to a few large scale maps with less information.) Moreover, the scales selected fitted the scale series already applied in the Atlas. In the most ideal situation for mapping data per real unit, the boundaries of these units should be adjusted to the nature of the information mapped and not based just on administrative divisions, eg, municipalities. Administrative boundaries often run across actual geographical distributions. In the ideal situation, the regions by which the data are presented should preferably be uniform with respect to these data: therefore, the latter formed one of the starting points for proposing map designs. ## THE MAPPING OF OUTDOOR RECREATION IN PRACTICE During and after data collection, it appeared that certainly not all ideal map proposals could be realized in practice. The most important data lacking were those on the more extensive forms of day-trip recreation (near-by attractive scenery, car or bicycle tours, etc) and data on the demand for provisions and places for outdoor recreation. For lack of data, some map proposals finally had to be omitted, thus creating space for some alternative proposals based on the original starting-points or for the enlargement of scale (with consequent increase of legibility and detail) and splitting up other maps. The original purpose of giving a complete representation of outdoor recreation in the Netherlands could not be achieved; only some aspects appeared to be mappable. Being aware of that, however, the plate which could be produced was still valuable enough to be included in the Atlas. ## RESULTS The systematic approach described in this paper and summarized in Figure 1 was applied in the preparation of Plate XI-16-S (Outdoor Recreation) of the Atlas of the Netherlands. The final plate consists of 18 small scale maps of the Netherlands: 12 at the scale 1:3 000 000 and six at the scale 1:2 000 000. There is a main division of the plate into three categories: (1) long-stay recreation: (2) day-trip recreation, and (3) use of space. This division is made visually clear by using different main colours for each group in the map. The map titles are listed below. ## Longerstay recreation A Tourist regions B Supply and density (per km $^{2}$ ) of overnight accommodations C Bed in tents and caravans on long-stay camping grounds D Beds in tents and caravans on camping grounds for tourists E Beds in summer cottages F Beds in hotels and pensions G Places for tents and caravans on short and long- ![](images/128b8e08cfad0473501c6eb061c4eb893d7c975032e68bdc756dcdd3b05f663a.jpg)

R HET BEZOEK AAN ATTRACTIEPUNTEN VISITING OF PLACES OF SPECIAL INTEREST
Aantal bezoekers per attractiepunt in 1979 Number of visitors per place of special interest in 1979
○ 50 000-200 000 ○ 200 000-500 000 ○ 500.000-1.000.000 ○ >1.000.000
Soorten attractiepunten: Types of places of special interest: ○ recreatieparken en natuurbaden amusement parks ○ natuurreservaten, (dieren) parken en tuinen nature reserves, zoos, wild animal parks, and gardens ○ overige attractiepunten other places of special interest

![](images/35ce0f70a83276a212d5b27809dd582c12943592659ab46a05b366f474d2bbda.jpg) ![](images/4cbcf20d925f9cb5a7f26b2b7f2dd3dc3fb1ef0fae4dc6a56e46ebab3be4d79f.jpg) ![](images/9badee7b57a701e0b92120a9d3e2c456f7ffecf20d62727883a696d185f3e4f6.jpg) stay camping grounds, per tourist region H Changes in the number of beds in camping accommodations between 1972 and 1977, per tourist region I Distribution of camping-accommodation beds: 1972-1977 J Overnight stay on camping grounds Use of space K Space used for outdoor recreation Daytrip recreation L Boating M Supply of moorings in marinas and origin of the users N Waterside recreation: possibilities for swimming and sunbathing O Supply of places for swimming and sunbathing P Waterside recreation: possibilities for fishing Q Supply of places to fish and degree of use R Visiting places of special interest On the final plate, considerable attention was given to the facilities for outdoor recreation, ie, the supply of places for day-trip recreation and overnight accommodation. With respect to the mapped day-trip recreation, recreation in or beside water is dominant, since this is the most important in the Netherlands. Maps N and P are interesting in that they indicate the inequalities in the distribution of facilities for swimming/sunbathing and fishing, in terms of supply and demand. Some of the Atlas maps are reproduced in Figures 3 and 4. Map P in Figure 3 shows the supply-demand relationship for fishing. The pink areas do not necessarily indicate an absence of fishing facilities. Northern Holland, for example, has many, but it is also many fishermen's favorite area; hence demand exceeds supply. ## REFERENCES 1 For general information about the Atlas of the Netherlands, see Cartography in the Netherlands 1972-1980. National Report to the sixth General Assembly of the International Cartographic Association, Tokyo, Japan, 1980. L Heres (ed), Dutch Cartographic Society, 1980. Amersfoort. Page 33. 2 Elzakker, C P J M van. 1981. Openluchtrecreatie in kaart gebracht. Een studie ten behoeve van een kaartblad voor de Atlas van Nederland. Utrechtse Geografische Studies 21, Geografisch Instituut Rijksuniversiteit Utrecht, (ISBN 90 6266 028 2) Plate XI-16-S (Outdoor Recreation) of the Atlas of the Netherlands included. 3 Monmonier, M S. 1981. Automated techniques in support of planning for the National Atlas. The American Cartographer, Vol 8, No 2, pp 161-168. ## ABSTRACTS A proposal is made for a systematic approach to the problem of national atlas mapping, particularly with respect to the selection of the contents and the design of the atlas map sheets. An example of the application of the approach is given by the description of the successive stages in the preparation of Plate XI-16-S, "Outdoor Recreation", of the Atlas of the Netherlands. Une proposition est formulée pour une méthode systématique d'approche du problème de la cartographie des atlas nationaux, en particulier en ce qui concerne le choix de leur contenu et le dessin des cartes. En exemple, on fournit la description des stades successifs de la préparation de la feuille XI-16-S "Activités de pleiair" de l'atlas de Pays-Bas. Se hace una proposición para un enfoque sistemático del problema del mapeo del atlas nacional, en particular con respecto a la selección de los contenidos y el diseño de las hojas del mapa atlas. Un ejemplo de la aplicación del enfoque es dado a través de la descripción de las etapas sucesivas en la preparación de la lámina XI-16-S, “Recreación Externa” del Atlas de los Países Bajos.

Atlas of the Netherlands

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