ABSTRACT
Descartes (formerly called IRIS) is a software system designed to support visual exploration of
spatially referenced data
, e.g. demographic, economical, or cultural information about geographical objects or locations such as countries, districts, or cities. Descartes offers two integrated services:
automated presentation
of data on maps, and facilities to
interactively manipulate
these maps. Automated mapping is enabled by incorporating generic knowledge on map design into the system. Descartes selects suitable presentation methods according to characteristics of the variables to be analysed and relationships among those variables — if more than one were selected simultaneously. The cartographic knowledge of Descartes allows non-cartographers to receive proper presentations of their data, and the automation of map construction helps the users to save valuable time that can better be used for data analysis and problem-solving.
