Would a GPS Help? Navigating STC Geography

Five Questions to Find Your Way… 1.What Census and which product do I want? 2.What format do I need? 3.What themes do I require? 4.What geographical hierarchy do I need? 5.Which specific file do I need? Show me!

Where Do We Start? Geography is not yet on the web ºStart on the ftp site ftp.statcan.ca /geography/census2001/

1. What Census & Product do I Need? Spatial (This is where the gems are) Chose a product subdirectory /geography/census2001/spatial/… Attribute CARS Concordance Documentation Geosuite Maps PCCF PCFC Census2001 Census1996

2. What Format Do I Want? MapInfo ArcInfo /geography/census2001/spatial/Arcinfo… It’s a matter of choice… what software is your patron using? Spatial

3. What themes do I require? Census Boundary Files Road Network Files Skeletal Road Network Files Ecumene (Population density) /geography/census2001/spatial/Arcinfo/CBF… Spatial ArcInfo CBF RNFSRNFEcumene

4. What geographical hierarchy do I need? Which path do I take??? Spatial ArcInfo CBF NationalProvincialCMAExtra /geography/census2001/spatial/Arcinfo/CBF/provincial …

4. What slice of the geographical hierarchy do I need? CANADA PROV/TERR CARER FED CMA/CA Non-CMA/CA CD CCS CSD DA CT Block CMACA CT No CT MIZTerr. DPL UA Rural

/geography/census2001/spatial/Arcinfo/CBF/provincial /da… Spatial ArcInfo CBF NationalProvincialCMAExtra 4. What geographical hierarchy do I need? ccs csd ct da cd ccs cma ct csd da dpl fed er pr ua dpp csd ct da

/geography/census2001/spatial/Arcinfo/CBF/provincial /da/gda_13b02.zip Spatial ArcInfo CBF Provincial 5. What specific file do I need? ccscsddact Gda_10b02.zip Gda_11b02.zip Gda_12b02.zip Gda_13b02.zip Etc.

Now What? Thanks, but that was a lot more confusing than I thought it would be! Why don’t I just get a DMTI census file from UT? I’ve heard they are easy to use…

Oh. Yikes!

Wow. I need a moment…

Okay, Tell Me More… DMTI + Project files (.apr) available; ArcView-ready + Individual files come as shape, no need for importing + 96 Census boundaries are paired with Census tables in.dbf format, ready for joining to spatial files - Bundling is still a “challenge” Alternative route: IDLS STC + STC spatial data only; census geo rocks! + STC Documentation is at your fingertips - Organization still chaotic - Tables still have to be tweaked before merging

Is It Worth It? You bet! It gives research an entirely new dimension and, though there is new language, you still have two feet on the ground at all times. We promise!

Making a Sandwich Where in the world are we and is that really PB over there?

GIS is really about… Where… What… & Location: e.g. Latitude & longitude X Attributes: Palm tree cover, old growth, near Joe’s oasis

Sounds Simple! Let’s Go! “Now, just hold on to your shopping cart, missy!”

GIS is Much, Much More! Data networks Technology (software, hardware) Data creators Institutional arrangements Policies and Standards Spatial Data Metadata Users GIS Infrastructure

“What” can be any spatially-referenced entity or phenomena. This means that a project can get out of control very quickly…. Why You Want More Lessons Especially if you don’t use the standard or compatible scale, data and projection in your project.

Why You Want More Lessons Imagine a sandwich in which everything imaginable including drano was added in random order, dropped at heights varying from two inches to 30,000 feet (yuck, the pickle just came through the roof and onto the kitchen table---sort of), the mayo ended up in the living room and the bread in the backyard, and the chicken—well someone forgot to cook it.

So Start Gently! Your first map doesn’t have to be that kind of disaster. We’re going to take a look at one concept today—layers or themes of a map. It is a great concept to see in action and will really help with the reference questions you get!

You begin with an idea…