ABSTRACT
It is not possible to get an overview of an area in any way other than by consulting a map. A map places geospatial data, i.e. data about objects or phenomena of which one knows their location on the Earth, in their correct relationship to one another. A map can be considered as a geospatial information system that answers many questions concerning the area depicted: the distances between points, the positions of points in respect of each other, the size of areas, or the nature of distribution patterns. The answers can be read off directly from the map image most of the time, without the need for a keyboard or the loading up of some files.
