Make a Map

Level 1: Make a map the easy way (no software downloads, no coding, no logging in)

The Imperiia Map lives, for the moment, on the WorldMap platform - an open source mapping platform created and maintained by the Center for Geographic Analysis at Harvard University. One of the many advantages to this is that WorldMap comes equipped with a "Link" tool (see the top navigation bar). Once you have panned, zoomed, and activated the layers you need, click the "Link" button. A dialogue box will pop up offering you a link to that specific map view, or the embed code (to plug into other websites, blogs, etc.). It is quite magical, I have to say, and wonderfully useful if you are looking for a way to allow students to create and share maps.

The downside is that you are limited to the existing layers - at this level of map-making you are not generating your own content.

Level 2a: Make your own map on the WorldMap platform

To go this route you will need to create a (free) WorldMap account. Once you have done that, consult the WorldMap documentation for detailed, easy-to-follow instructions on how to create a new map. Essentially, you will create a new/blank map, and then bring the Imperiia layers of your choosing into the new map. You can then add layers from other WorldMap projects, or create your own.

Level 2b: Make a make by importing Imperiia layers into other web-based mapping platforms

If the layers you need are available for download from the Imperiia Map (if you aren't sure, right-click the layer title in the table of contents and select "Share layer"), choose the format you want and complete the download. For details on downloading spatial data from WorldMap and from the Dataverse (where it is in its original projection), consult the "Data" page.

Note: All layers are available via the Imperiia Dataverse, though for the moment those shapefiles are available only in Equidistant Conic project. I have yet to encounter a web-mapping platform that does not required WGS1984. 

  • If you are mapping with GoogleMaps, download CSV or KML.
  • If you are mapping with GoogleEarth, choose KML.
  • If you are mapping ESRI's ArcGIS Online, lucky you. Go with shapefiles.
  • If you are mapping with Tableau Public, download as CSV.
  • If you are mapping with Carto, you have your choice of shapefile, CSV, KML, geojson, etc.
  • If you are mapping with Leaflet, you do not need me to tell you how to download your data.

Upload the data to your platform of choice, and you should be in business. (Note that the assigned symbology does not come packaged with the data.)

Level 3: Make a map with GIS software

The sky is the limit with ArcGIS and QGIS. The shapefile format is the industry standard. 

No matter which pathway you choose, please remember to use proper citations. Thank you!