map
Let an agent handle maps by type, scale, projection, date, source, licence and reading skills.
Bundle → Layer → Finding → Questions Filled
4 bundles · 8 layers · 8 findings · 16 questions
Type Which map.
Purpose
Topographic or thematic.
Purpose
Map purpose.
- Which type of map suits this purpose? action
- What scale is needed? measurement
Source
Publisher and date.
Source
Source.
- Who published it and when was it surveyed? provenance
- Is it current? boundary
Reading Map skills.
Legend
Symbols.
Legend
Legend.
- What do the symbols and colours mean? definition
- What is the contour interval? measurement
Location
Grid references.
Location
Location.
- What is the grid reference or coordinate of this point? measurement
- Which datum is used? definition
Accuracy Limits.
Projection
Distortion.
Projection
Projection.
- Which projection is used and what does it distort? definition
- Is area or shape preserved? boundary
Borders
Disputes.
Borders
Disputed boundaries.
- Are any boundaries on the map disputed? boundary
- How does the publisher show them? provenance
Use Reuse and safety.
Licence
Reuse.
Licence
Licence.
- Can the map be reused, and under which licence? provenance
- How must it be attributed? action
Navigation
Outdoors.
Navigation
Navigation safety.
- Is this map suitable for navigation outdoors or at sea? boundary
- What backup should be carried? action
Classifiers Filled
- Family
- Thing Registry
- Category
- Information and virtual systems
- Entry kind
- thing
- Plane
- INF
- Domain
- INF.MED
- Other names and narrower kinds
- armillary sphere, individual copy of a map, geographical maps, cartographic plan, illustrated map, paleogeographic map, human geography map, geographic heat map, geographical thematic map, ecosystem map, rail track diagram, bird's-eye view map
What it is Filled
A symbolic visual representation, usually two-dimensional, of geographic space and features such as land, sea, roads, boundaries or spatial data, which may use a scale and projection or a schematic arrangement; kinds include topographic, thematic, nautical and digital maps.
Why it exists Filled
Let an agent handle maps by type, scale, projection, date, source, licence and reading skills.
Distinguishing features Filled
- A map represents geographic space symbolically.
- A map may use a scale and projection or represent geographic relationships schematically.
- A map is selective and generalised.
- A map dates quickly.
What robots and AI may and may not do Filled
Must not
- Navigate people or vehicles with a map known to be outdated where safety is at stake.
- Present a disputed border on a map as settled without saying it is disputed.
- Present charts not approved for navigation as if they were.
- Reproduce a copyrighted map beyond what its licence allows.
Only with a human decision
- Publishing a map that shows disputed territory or sensitive sites.
May
- Read maps and explain their scale, projection, legend and date.
- Help people find official and up-to-date maps for navigation.
Moral aspects Filled
- Maps carry claims to territory; a line on a map can be political.
- Wrong or outdated maps lead people into danger at sea, in the air and in the wild.
Who is affected
- Navigators and travellers
- Communities on disputed borders
- Map makers
Owners Filled
Steward
The publisher of each map; national mapping and hydrographic agencies hold official ones.
Master systems
- National mapping agency records
- Official nautical and aeronautical charts
Links to other meta-models Filled
parent
- Q124608594 - registry parent class
- Q25106976 - registry parent class
- Q60533375 - registry parent class
related
- cartographic work - category
- cartography - discipline
- map projection - method
- geographic information system - technology
What else AI and robots need to interact with it Filled
Identity and identifiers required Filled
- Vercy registry: vr.tr.map
- Wikidata: Q4006 (https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4006)
Direct properties not applicable Not applicable
Not applicable
Plane INF: no invented physical properties.
Recognition optional Filled
- Scale bar, north arrow and legend
- Grid or coordinate lines
- Charts are maps for sea and air navigation
- Printed sheets, atlases, globes or digital map views with symbols and a legend.
Capabilities and actions required Filled
- choose a map type and scale
- read scale, legend and grid references
- check map date and data source
- check licences for reuse
Hazards and failure modes required Filled
- Navigating with outdated maps
- Misreading scale or projection distortion
- Disputed borders shown as settled
Standards and interfaces required Filled
- ISO 19100 geographic information standards
- National mapping agency specifications
- Copyright and open data licences such as ODbL
Context of use required Filled
- Navigation, planning, analysis and communication about places.
- topographic maps
- thematic maps
- nautical and aeronautical charts
- digital web maps
- historical maps
Sources Filled
- Wikidata item Q4006: map - identity and sense of the item
- Wikipedia: Map - general description of the item
Open questions
- Should map types be separate entries?
- How should map series be linked?
- How should disputed boundaries be shown?
Machine files
Provenance
thing registry research (pass 2) · unreviewed
Built from: models/things/publications/thing-q4006/spec.json