The subject "Thematic Cartography" is one of the compulsory subjects of the 3rd year of the Degree in Geography and Land management. It is located within the module called Transversal Knowledge and Techniques, which groups transversal subjects, understood as those that fundamentally provide tools to use information from different fields with a practical and applied purpose.



This subject develops the instruments and techniques necessary for the elaboration of thematic content maps and is complemented with the rest of the subjects of the module, especially with the subjects of Geographic Information Systems, Geographic Information Systems Expansion and Photointerpretation and Remote Sensing. Since it is an eminently instrumental subject, it is of great importance for other subjects of an applied nature such as those of the Spatial Planning Module.



In order to be able to develop "Thematic Cartography" without excessive difficulty, it is necessary to have a good knowledge of the basics of cartography such as: projections and coordinate systems, cartographic generalization processes, digitalization of cartographic elements. It is also essential to know how to handle and analyze the cartography available in all its formats (paper, digital), as well as the access and exploitation of statistical databases (SDI).

BASIC AND GENERAL COMPETENCES OF THE DEGREE THAT ARE DEVELOPED IN THIS COURSE

(according to the Verified Memory of the Study Plan, last version):



CB2: That students know how to apply their knowledge to their work or vocation in a professional manner and possess the skills that are usually demonstrated through the development and defense of arguments and problem solving within their area of study.



CB3: That students have the ability to gather and interpret relevant data (usually within their area of study) to make judgments that include a reflection on relevant social, scientific or ethical issues.



CB4: That students can transmit information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialized and non-specialized audiences. and non-specialized audiences.



CB5: That students have developed those learning skills necessary to undertake further studies with a high degree of autonomy. further studies with a high degree of autonomy.



G001: To be able to learn and update oneself permanently.



G003: To be able to work autonomously and in teams.



G006: Use geographic information as a means for the description, analysis, interpretation and management of the territory. Express information cartographically, elaborate and interpret statistical information. Use of ICTs in the analysis and communication of research results.



G008: Expose and transmit geographic knowledge and understand these problems in a multidimensional way.



SPECIFIC COMPETENCIES



- Use techniques for obtaining, storing, processing, analysis and graphic and cartographic expression of geographic information (competency M04CMM). geographic information (module competence M04CM01).



- Perform quantitative and qualitative analyses of statistical basis, as well as design and manage Database Management Systems and exploit and exploit the information contained in spatial and non-spatial data repositories (competence M04CM02 of the module).



- To acquire the necessary fundamentals to carry out, analyze and interpret general cartography, thematic cartography, photo-interpretation and remote sensing, photo-interpretation and remote sensing (module competency M04CM03).



- To be able to design, develop and manage Geographic Information Systems and computer-aided cartography (competence M04CM04 of the module).



LEARNING OUTCOMES



1. Use thematic cartography series common in geographic work and evaluate their usefulness in the analysis and the territorial planning.



2. Manages outstanding sources of cartographic information of thematic character as well as new systems of cartographic visualization.



3. Plans and designs the set of elements that form the composition of a final map.



4. Constructs thematic databases that allow the subsequent transformation of information, cartographic representation and format conversion.



5. Applies the most appropriate criteria and techniques for the symbolization and representation of diverse thematic maps, based on the understanding of elementary principles of thematic mapping.



6. Develops a computer-assisted cartographic project, from the capture and preparation of the base map to the final product.



7. Solves the graphic problems that arise in the design of thematic cartography, by means of the practical application of the theoretical the theoretical knowledge, abilities and skills necessary for the resolution of the graphical problems that arise in the design of thematic cartography.



8. Applies the most outstanding quality standards referred to the cartographic process and product.

SUBJECT 1. THEMATIC CARTOGRAPHY. INTRODUCTION.

1.1. Introduction.

1.2. Procedure.

1.3. Typologies.

1.4. Data sources.

1.5. Practices for the application of cartographic information at different graphic and geographic scales and from different sources.



SUBJECT 2. CARTOGRAPHIC COMPOSITION AND DESIGN.

2.1. Principles of cartographic design.

2.2. Elements of cartographic composition.

2.3. Examples and / or design recommendations.

2.4. Application of the design to the software.

2.5. Practices for the application of the rules and principles of cartographic design and cartographic composition.



SUBJECT 3. GRAPHIC SEMIOLOGY.

3.1. Introduction.

3.2. Visual variables.

3.3. Perceptual characteristics of the visual variables.

3.4. Practices. Application of the principles of graphic semiology in the cartographic production.



SUBJECT 4. BASIS OF TYPOGRAPHY

4.1. Typography: introduction.

4.2. General characteristics of the different typefaces.

4.3. General rules of application of labels in cartography.

4.4. Management of labels in GIS programs.

4.5. Practices. Application of the principles of labeling and labeling with computer tools.



SUBJECT 5. QUALITATIVE THEMATIC CARTOGRAPHY.

5.1. Introduction.

5.2. Sources and databases.

5.3. Data scaling.

5.4. Symbology.

5.5. Practices. Use of softwares in the selection of colors and application to the elaboration of maps of the bases of qualitative cartography.





SUBJECT 6. QUANTITATIVE THEMATIC CARTOGRAPHY.

6.1. Introduction

6.2. Maps of proportional symbols.

6.3. Isoline maps.

6.4. Choropleth maps.

6.5. Flow maps

6.6. Cartograms.

6.7. Graph maps.

6.8. Management of quantitative mapping techniques in GIS.

6.9. Practices. Application of the different quantitative techniques in cartography.

The method to be followed consists of explainig the theoretical foundations of the discipline inm class, supported by the reading and handling thematic maps. and handling of thematic maps. Practical activities will be developed in connection with the theoretical topics, with the final objective of teaching the students the methods and

techniques necessary to create thematic maps.

There will be mainly sharing sessions and computer practices. Students will have to apply the theoretical and practical knowledge learned to the realization of a cartographic project in all its phases: from its planning to the commentary of the content and cartographic drafting, through the search of data, the preparation of the digital database, the input of information, the preparation of the base map, the incorporation of the thematic load and the composition of the final map.

• Continuous Assessment System
• Final Assessment System
• Tools and qualification percentages:
  • Multiple-Choice Test (%): 30
  • Realization of Practical Work (exercises, cases or problems) (%): 70

CONTINUOUS EVALUATION SYSTEM: a set of practical tests will allow assessment of each student's progress throughout the training period (representing 70% of the final grade). These assessment will be complemented with a test (weighing 30% of the final grade).

To pass the course an average grade of five points will be required, along with passing both parts (the test exam and practical tests).



Students may waive the exam up to one month before the end of the teaching period of the subject. This waiver must be submitted in writing to the teacher in charge of the subject and will result in a grade of "not shown."



Students have the right to be evaluated through the FINAL EVALUATION SYSTEM, regardless of their participation in the continuous evaluation system. In this case, all theoretical-practical learning results will be evaluated globally through the delivery of some practices and a theoretical-practical exam during the official exam period. To opt for the final evaluation system, students must submit in writing to the faculty responsible for the subject their waiver of continuous evaluation and their choice of the final evaluation, within a maximum period of 9 weeks from the beginning of the term (Regulations governing the evaluation of students in official undergraduate degrees, article 8).



In case of choosing the final evaluation, failure to take the test on the official exam date will result in an automatic waiver of the corresponding call (Article 8).



In the continuous evaluation system, the evaluation instruments will include a time-limited questionnaire and a series of practical deliverables. If the final evaluation is chosen, students must develop a theoretical-practical test on the official exam date, along with the delivery of a practical on the same date, where all the competencies of the course will be assessed.

The evaluation of the subjects in the extraordinary calls will be carried out exclusively through the final evaluation system.



The final evaluation test of the extraordinary call will consist of the same evaluation activities used in the ordinary call. used in the ordinary exam. If any of the two parts of the course (test exam or exercises) were passed in the first exam the first call, that part of the grade will be kept for the extraordinary call and the student will only have to take the failed part of the exam.

ArcGis software
QGis software

Basic bibliography

- Alcalá, A.R. et al. (1995): Diccionario de cartografía. Ciencias Sociales. Madrid.

- Bertin, J. (1973): Semiologie graphique: les diagrammes, les réseaux, les cartes. Mouton, Paris.

- Cebrián de Miguel, J.A., et al. (1984). Cartografía temática y representación gráfica mediante ordenador. Instituto Geográfico Nacional.

- Cortizo, T. (1998) Los gráficos en geografía. Tria-Ka, Gijón.

- Cynthia B. (2016). Designing better maps: a guide for GIS users. ESRI Press.

- Dent, B.D. et al. (2008). Cartography: Thematic map design. WCB/McGraw-Hill.

- Joly, F. (1982): La cartografía. Ariel, Barcelona.

- Koren, L. R. eta al. (2001): Recetario de diseño gráfico. Propuestas, combinaciones y soluciones gráficas.

- Le Fur, A. (2000). Pratiques de la cartographie. A. Colin.

- Martín López, J. (1997). Cartografía temática. Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Escuela Universitaria de Ingeniería Técnica Topográfica, Madrid.

- Robinson, A.H. et al. (1987): Elementos de cartografía. Omega, Barcelona

- Taylor, D.R.F. (1991). Geographic information systems: the microcomputer and modern cartography. In Modern Cartography Series, (1), 1-20.

- Velasco Tirado, A.et al. (2018). Visualizadores de cartografía temática colaborativa del Instituto Geográfico Nacional. Revista MAPPING, (27), 192.

In-depth bibliography

- Bosque Sendra, J. et al. (2002). Visualización geográfica y nuevas cartografías. GeoFocus, 2, 61-77.
- Brunet, R. (1987): La carte, mode d'emploi. Fayard-Reclus, Paris.
- Cauvin, C. et al. (2007) Cartographie themátique, Ed. Hermes, París.
- Vazquez Maure, F. (1989) Lectura de mapas, Instituto Geográfico Nacional, Madrid.

Journals

GeoFocus. http://www.geo-focus.org
Cybergeo. http://www.cybergeo.eu
Meppemonde. http://mappemonde.mgm.fr
Mapping interactivo. Revista internacional de Ciencias de la Tierra http://www.mappinginteractivo.com

Web addresses

-Grupo de Tecnologías de la Información Geográfica de la Asociación de Geógrafos Españoles, http://www.ieg.csic.es/metodos
-AESIG- Asociación Española de Sistemas de Información Geográfica. http.://www.aesig.org
-NOSOLOSIG.COM. http://nosolosig.com
-GIS.COM. http:// www.gis.com
-Directorio cartográfico de España. http://www.dices.net
-Infraestructura de datos Espaciales de España. http://www.idee.es
-Instituto Geográfico Nacional: http://www.ign.es
-Centro Nacional de Información Geográfica. http://www.cnig.es
-Instituto Cartográfico de Cataluña. http://www.icc.es
-Instituto Geológico y Minero de España. http://www.igme.es
-Cartografía del Gobierno Vasco. http.://www.euskadi.net/cartografia
-Cartografía de Alava. http.://www.alava.net/cartografia
-Cartografía de Navarra. http.://sitna.cfnavarra.es
-Centro de Estudios Ambientales del Ayuntamiento de Vitoria-Gasteiz. Sistema de Información Ambiental. http:// www.vitoria-gasteiz.org/ceac/siam
-http:// earth.google.com
-Servicio de SIG y Teledetección de la Universidad de Gerona. http.://sigte.udg.es