MAPPING FROM AN AUTOMATED DISPLAY SYSTEM

This paper outlines recent developments in computer mapping and points out its importance for visualizing contents of geographic information systems. The authors present an integrated system of mapping packages and spatial-data files. Map examples generated with this system are used to illustrate characteristics of various computer-mapping methods. The diversity of displays created from a single set of data demonstrates that mapping from automated display systems requires the user to take some decisions which have to be based on an understanding of the phenomena displayed, of cartographic communication, and of technical aspects of automated map processing. © 1979 by the Association of American Geographers.