Map Design for the Internet

The use of the World Wide Web (WWW) as a medium for cartographic communication has increased dramatically. Web- or Internet-based cartography now brings spatial information to millions of map users on a daily basis. The internet medium has some significant advantages over conventional print cartography: the capability to reach very large audiences almost instantly, to facilitate dynamic exploration of spatial information, even to customize map displays interactively. Of course, there are disadvantages as well. Internet map displays are limited in size and resolution and, potentially, color and typographic choices. Complex messages which might be conveyed synoptically in large format print (poster) format must be organized as sets of individual web 'pages' traversed via links among pages. The challenge of internet-based cartography lies in working within the graphical limitations of this medium and in designing presentations that are coherent and easily navigable.

In the assignment, i created a set of maps for presentation on the web on the uses and impacts of petroleum. I had four individual web pages (Home, Uses, Impact and Conclusion); explaining this topic with the use of maps, pie charts and pictorial images. This assignment should not be confused with developing a web mapping application, as that is a more interactive and complex application.