Georeferencing & Projections Part I

Georeferencing & Projections Part I - Week 5

Georeferencing & Projections Part I

This week we investigated the differences that are present when you use different coordinate systems and projections. We focused on counties of Florida that were represented in different coordinate systems, which made their area different. This highlighted the necessity of using the correct coordinate system, depending on what you want to show, in order to display the most accurate information. Albers Conical Equal Area is the one most often used for the contiguous United States and it was, indeed, the one that seemed most accurate for the area of each county. The Albers and State Plane systems were clearly the better two of the three options. The differences that were present in the area of each county had to do with many of the counties being in UTM zone 17, not 16, and also that they were spread across different State Planes. 

I struggled a bit with getting my maps to look the way I wanted them to. I utilized the example map as a framework, but had some difficulty editing the Legend to display the information I wanted and in the font style and size I wanted. It turned out okay, but they formatted differently, even though I spent a long time trying to make them the same. The point of the lab, however, was clear, and I am getting better at navigating the software.

We also did an exercise with a raster image of the UWF campus and placing it on the map. Associating a coordinate system with it, so the program could put it in the correct place. This was also a useful skill that I'm sure will be needed in the future.

I made sure to include all my essential map elements and, in general, feel pretty good about this weeks lab.