Remote Sensing Image

This is the view of the base camp I was stationed at in Bosnia-Herzegovina from 2001-02, Camp McGovern. It lies on the outskirts of the town of Brcko, the district seat. The reason the details have been distorted is to maintain operational security; the bad guys can utilize this tool just as easily as the good guys. The remote sensing data displayed here is aerial photography. I believe that it is an infrared emulsion, the same type that the USGS uses to produce DOQQ's. I say this because with a DOQQ, true distance can be measured due to corrections in camera angle & relief; true distance can be measured in this image, as well.

bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/placemarks/107013-Balkans.kml - 953k

Continuously Variable Proportional Circle Map

A continuously variable proportional circle map is a proportional circle map, whereas the point data is mapped with a circle instead of with a dot. The number of circle sizes is not set; the size is representative of the distribution of the variable. This is a map of the Czech Republic utilizing this technique; I do not read Czech so I am not sure what variable is represented here.

Nominal Area Choropleth Map

A nominal area choropleth displays data groups that lack any implicit order. Instead, it relies on a qualitative classification of these groupings. This is a map of the southern portion of the Balkans; it is a nominal representation because there is no prescribed order to the nations displayed.

Unstandardized Choropleth Map

An unstandardized choropleth portrays areal data but, unlike a standardized choropleth, it is not areally averaged. Again, the boundaries for this type of map are often census tracts.

Standardized Choropleth Map

A standardized choropleth portrays areal data and is areally averaged (i.e. density-persons per square mile). This aids in comparing data across geographic boundaries. Often, areal divisions are census tracts (counties, states). This map describes the percentage of Canadians under the age of 14, and their location.

Univariate Choropleth Map

A univariate choropleth map displays the spatial distribution of an attribute as it relates to a single topic, or theme (univariate). In this map, the single topic is hay production for a given year; the distribution is portrayed by use of a colored scale and counties relating to this technique.

Bivariate Choropleth Map

A bivariate choropleth map is a thematic map displaying the relationship between two or more variables. It does this by use of a graded color scale, giving it the ability to convey both spatial and statistical information. This map of African countries displays three separate but related data sets: land use, life expectancy and GNP per capita.

Unclassed Choropleth Map

An unclassed choropleth maps' numeric attribute values are converted directly into proportional degrees of shading; the higher the attribute value, the darker the shade. It is considered 'unclassed' because it uses a continuous scale, not interval breaks. This map displays the fertility rates of European women; the countries with the highest/lowest levels are immediately evident.

Classed Choropleth Map

A classed choropleth map utilizes classification techniques to 'break up' intervals, which consist of: equal steps, quantiles, natural breaks and minimum variance. This maps legend uses the equal interval technique with six separate classes.

Range Graded Proportional Circle Map

Range grading details statistical information in proportional circles. This is designed to represent discrete ranges of data values rather than exact numbers. This technique allows for easy identification of values, as this map of populations exemplifies.

Lorenz Curve

A Lorenz curve graph shows a cumulative frequency curve displaying a distribution of a variable against an independent variable. The curve in the line is due to inequalities between the different data sets; an equal distribution will yield a straight line. In this graph, it is easy to see the inequalities as they curve away from the equal distribution line.

Star Plot

A star plot is a graphical method of describing multi-variate observations which include an arbitrary number of variables. These observations are then represented as a star shaped figure; a single ray of proportional length describes the value of each variable. In this plot, the center point is the desired result of a phenomenon with the outlying colored lines representing observations; the results of these are plain to see in relation to the intended target.

Correlation Matrix

A correlation matrix is a graphical representation of the correlation between two numeric variables. The variables are labeled downward in a column and across the bottom in a row; the diagonal of the matrix consists of a value of one. This matrix displays the correlation by use of color; red indicates a positive correlation, green a negative, etc.

Similarity Matrix

A similarity matrix displays value scores that represent similar data between two given points. The data is mapped across the X and Y axis presenting the user a row/column with which to compare values. The higher the score, the more similarities. This matrix measured the similarities between a group of photos; the peaks of similar values can be obtained from the accompanying scale.

Parallel Coordinate Graph

A parallel coordinate graph plots an entire set of data observations. It does this by displaying all of them on one graph, making it easy to see deviations and/or trends from the average data path. On this graph, it is simple to see the data set that deviates from the others 'flow'; they are the dark green lines that peak at 4.0.

Box Plot

A box plot is a graphic that displays the center portion of a group of data and information about the data's range. The spacing between each of the points describes the size of the dispersion between observations. This box plot easily describes the numeric value for five separate observations as well as the range they contained.

Stem and Leaf Plot

A stem and leaf plot is used to display quantitative data graphically. It is useful in visualizing the 'shape' of a distribution of a phenomenon. This stem and leaf shows the cost of a variable on the left and the frequency of that variable occurring on the right; the distribution is easy to determine.

Histogram

A histogram graphically displays frequencies that have been tabulated, the results being displayed as bars. These bars describe what proportion of cases fall into each of several categories. A histogram differs from a bar graph in that the area of the bar denotes the value, not the height. This histogram describes test results for a group of students; the proportion of students scoring different grades is readily apparent.