It happens to us as maps’ fans that we buy a magazine at the supermarket just for bringing down a large map or atlas to be added to the collection we already have. Encyclopedias have done their best to display interactive maps in Flash or developments that simulate the operation of a geographic information system, but in vector format we only saw the ones for graphic design programs.
What has done Euroatlas is really great (Spanish Idiom: “está de piquete”). Until some time it is dedicated to publish very well-prepared printed atlas, they are now promoting maps that bring back in vector format with an interesting campaign:
“Make your own historical atlas with historical GIS”
maps”
Let’s take a look (Spanish Idiom: “echésmole el ojo”, take a brief look) with the eye that remains open before going to sleep:
GIS Maps. If it’s about historical atlas, ancient and reference for travelers, Euroatlas have enough, but what strikes me is that you can get vector layers in shape format files for use with GIS programs. As they aren’t GIS users, they only mentioned ArcGIS, Open Jump and Map Windows, but obviously this archaic format now recognizes virtually any CAD and GIS program. It comes with:
- a pdf with the layers’ description
- styles in sld
- a prj including layers and projection
Among the maps provided in GIS condition there are (for now) historical maps of each of the 20 centuries preceding us with prices starting at 30 Euros. Of course we must either revise the license for copyright purposes if you want to publish new content.
In case of Corel (cdr) or Illustrator (ai) formats, they come already with created layers. Here is a full map of Europe 2009 and ancient Rome
Web Deployment. One of the interesting aspects is that multiple maps can be viewed online, to motivate the purchase. See the case of ancient Rome, the seven original hills (Septimontium), the Rome of the first century and with a mosaic which facilitates view detail… succulent! and in Corel Draw.
Very interesting, for educational purposes and for traveling is very useful. I recommend it.
Web: Euroatlas