ExpandingtheICAconceptualdefinitionofamap.docVIP

Harold Moellering February, 2007 Harold Moellering is currently Professor Emeritus of Geography and Geodetic Science at Ohio State University in the USA. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan. His main research specialties are: Analytical Cartography, GIScience, and Spatial Data Standards. He is past Chair of the National Committee for Digital Cartographic Data Standards. This group developed SDTS, the Spatial Data Transfer Standard, the current standard for the USA. He is the Chair of the International Cartographic Association (ICA) Commission on Spatial Data Standards since 1989. During that time the Commission has produced two major books, one on Spatial Database Transfer Standards in the world, and the second newly published in November on World Spatial Metadata Standards. He is also a member of the North American Profile-Metadata Working Group which is developing a cooperative profile for spatial metadata between Canada and the USA. EXPANDING THE ICA CONCEPTUAL DEFINITION OF A MAP Harold Moellering Dept. of Geography Ohio State University 1036 Derby Hall Columbus, Ohio U.S.A., 43210 FAX: (614) 292-6213 Internet: geohal+@ ABSTRACT Theme: Maps, Cartographic Theory, Analytical Cartography For the last several years the International Cartographic Association (ICA) has been searching for ways to expand the conceptual definition of the map so that it better represents the wide range of cartographic products found in the real world. Most members understand that the current ICA definition of a map is in need of modernization. This paper will investigate this problem and propose several conceptual and theoretical ideas which can strengthen the ICA definition of a map that is better harmony with the real world. These ideas involve the concepts of real and virtual maps which immediately expands the static definition of the map. Then the concept of Real/Virtual map transformations brings in the notion of dynamics in a conceptual, temporal and spat