Anyone who has taught GIS using Census Data knows it is an invaluable data set for showing students how to take data stored in a table and join it to boundary data to transform this data into something that can be visualised and analysed spatially. Joins are a core GIS skill and need to be learnt, as not every data set is going to come neatly packaged as a shapefile or feature layer with all the data you need stored within. I don't know how many times I taught students to download data as a table from Nomis, load it into a GIS and then join that table data to the appropriate boundary data so they could produce choropleth maps to do some visual analysis, but it was a lot! Once students had gotten the hang of joins using census data they'd often ask why this data doesn't exist as a prepackaged feature layer with all the data they wanted within it. Well good news, now a lot off it is and it's accessible through the Living Atlas! Don't get me wrong I fully understand the importance of teaching students how to perform joins but once you have this understanding if you can access data that already contains all the information you need then you should be taking advantage of it to save you time. So in this exercise I am going to show you how to load English and Welsh Census Data from the 2021 Census into the ArcGIS Map Viewer from the Living Atlas and produce some choropleth maps to use to perform visual analysis without having to perform a single join.

These are the results obtained from an empirical test looking at the communicative effectiveness between two types of two dimensional (2D) map formats (Choropleth maps, and Cartograms) of the Greater London area of the United Kingdom. Participants were interviewed and observed individually during the procedure. The results contain the recorded measurements of spatial accuracy, and the time taken for each participant to answers 3 test questions. A post-test qualitative reaction of each participants' preference between the two map types is recorded, along with their gender, age, visual impediments, and self-assessed map reading ability.

With this add in it is possible to create map templates from GIS files in KML format, and create choropleths with them.

Providing you have access to KML format map boundary files, it is possible to create your own quick and easy choropleth maps in Excel. The KML format files can be converted from 'shape' files. Many shape files are available to download for free from the web, including from Ordnance Survey and the London Datastore. Standard mapping packages such as QGIS (free to download) and ArcGIS can convert the files to KML format.

A sample of a KML file (London wards) can be downloaded from this page, so that users can easily test the tool out.

Macros must be enabled for the tool to function.

When creating the map using the Excel tool, the 'unique ID' should normally be the area code, the 'Name' should be the area name and then if required and there is additional data in the KML file, further 'data' fields can be added. These columns will appear below and to the right of the map. If not, data can be added later on next to the codes and names.

In the add-in version of the tool the final control, 'Scale (% window)' should not normally be changed. With the default value 0.5, the height of the map is set to be half the total size of the user's Excel window.

To run a choropleth, select the menu option 'Run Choropleth' to get this form.

To specify the colour ramp for the choropleth, the user needs to enter the number of boxes into which the range is to be divided, and the colours for the high and low ends of the range, which is done by selecting coloured option boxes as appropriate. If wished, hit the 'Swap' button to change which colours are for the different ends of the range. Then hit the 'Choropleth' button.

The default options for the colours of the ends of the choropleth colour range are saved in the add in, but different values can be selected but setting up a column range of up to twelve cells, anywhere in Excel, filled with the option colours wanted. Then use the 'Colour range' control to select this range, and hit apply, having selected high or low values as wished. The button 'Copy' sets up a sheet 'ColourRamp' in the active workbook with the default colours, which can just be extended or deleted with just a few cells, so saving the user time.

The add-in was developed entirely within the Excel VBA IDE by Tim Lund. He is kindly distributing the tool for free on the Datastore but suggests that users who find the tool useful make a donation to the Shelter charity. It is not intended to keep the actively maintained, but if any users or developers would like to add more features, email the author.

Acknowledgments

Calculation of Excel freeform shapes from latitudes and longitudes is done using calculations from the Ordnance Survey.

PostGIS data for London and Greater London ward boundaries as of 2018.

This dataset is used in the london_votes sample Splitfile in which the 2017 General Election results and London Ward geodata are joined through the ONS UK Ward-Constituency lookup table to build a dataset of London constituencies and Conservative/Labour votes in each, ready for plotting as a Choropleth map.

https://data.london.gov.uk/dataset/statistical-gis-boundary-files-london

Contains National Statistics data © Crown copyright and database right 2012

Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2012

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Digital Map Market Size 2025-2029

The digital map market size is forecast to increase by USD 31.95 billion at a CAGR of 31.3% between 2024 and 2029.

The market is driven by the increasing adoption of intelligent Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) and the availability of location-based services. PDAs, such as smartphones and smartwatches, are becoming increasingly integrated with digital map technologies, enabling users to navigate and access real-time information on-the-go. The integration of Internet of Things (IoT) enables remote monitoring of cars and theft recovery. Location-based services, including mapping and navigation apps, are a crucial component of this trend, offering users personalized and convenient solutions for travel and exploration. However, the market also faces significant challenges.
Ensuring the protection of sensitive user information is essential for companies operating in this market, as trust and data security are key factors in driving user adoption and retention. Additionally, the competition in the market is intense, with numerous players vying for market share. Companies must differentiate themselves through innovative features, user experience, and strong branding to stand out in this competitive landscape. Security and privacy concerns continue to be a major obstacle, as the collection and use of location data raises valid concerns among consumers.

What will be the Size of the Digital Map Market during the forecast period?

Explore in-depth regional segment analysis with market size data - historical 2019-2023 and forecasts 2025-2029 - in the full report.
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In the market, cartographic generalization and thematic mapping techniques are utilized to convey complex spatial information, transforming raw data into insightful visualizations. Choropleth maps and dot density maps illustrate distribution patterns of environmental data, economic data, and demographic data, while spatial interpolation and predictive modeling enable the estimation of hydrographic data and terrain data in areas with limited information. Urban planning and land use planning benefit from these tools, facilitating network modeling and location intelligence for public safety and emergency management.

Spatial regression and spatial autocorrelation analyses provide valuable insights into urban development trends and patterns. Network analysis and shortest path algorithms optimize transportation planning and logistics management, enhancing marketing analytics and sales territory optimization. Decision support systems and fleet management incorporate 3D building models and real-time data from street view imagery, enabling effective resource management and disaster response. The market in the US is experiencing robust growth, driven by the integration of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Global Positioning Systems (GPS), and advanced computer technology into various industries.

How is this Digital Map Industry segmented?

The digital map industry research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in 'USD million' for the period 2025-2029, as well as historical data from 2019-2023 for the following segments.

Application

  Navigation
  Geocoders
  Others


Type

  Outdoor
  Indoor


Solution

  Software
  Services


Deployment

  On-premises
  Cloud


Geography

  North America

    US
    Canada


  Europe

    France
    Germany
    UK


  APAC

    China
    India
    Indonesia
    Japan
    South Korea


  Rest of World (ROW)

By Application Insights

The navigation segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period. Digital maps play a pivotal role in various industries, particularly in automotive applications for driver assistance systems. These maps encompass raster data, aerial photography, government data, and commercial data, among others. Open-source data and proprietary data are integrated to ensure map accuracy and up-to-date information. Map production involves the use of GPS technology, map projections, and GIS software, while map maintenance and quality control ensure map accuracy. Location-based services (LBS) and route optimization are integral parts of digital maps, enabling real-time navigation and traffic data.

Data validation and map tiles ensure data security. Cloud computing facilitates map distribution and map customization, allowing users to access maps on various devices, including mobile mapping and indoor mapping. Map design, map printing, and reverse geocoding further enhance the user experience. Spatial analysis and data modeling are essential for data warehousing and real-time navigation. The automotive industry's increasing adoption of connected cars and long-term evolution (LTE) technologies have fueled the demand for digital maps. These maps enable driver assistance applications,