2012, Vol.12, No.3

Journal of the Korean Cartographic Association 2023 KCI Impact Factor : 1.34

pISSN : 1598-6160
https://journal.kci.go.kr/jkca

The main objective of this paper is to seek to find the best map projection for a map of “Korea and Its Vicinity.” To that end, a review on pre-existing maps for the region and some selection guidelines is undertaken. A research strategy is established through an intensive examination on various methods for distortion analysis. Finally, a GIS-based projection distortion analysis is conducted and the final selection is made based on it. Main findings are as follows. First, four candidates are selected; Lambert conformal conic, Albers equivalent conic, Lambert azimuthal equivalent, and Azimuthal equidistant projections. Second, it is acknowledged that a research scheme for projection distortion analysis should be predicated on the local distortion indictors at the infinitesimal scale and that local distortion values are virtually generated in order to be used for visualization and statistics calculation. Third, the PDAT is chosen as the research platform in which a GIS environment for the projection distortion analysis is provided. Based on all the results from the PDAT analysis, the final decision is made for the best projection; Lambert azimuthal equivalent projection. This study may provide important implications in discussing on the best projection for a map of Korea.

Many foreign geographical names are still found in internet-based maps such as Google Earth and reliable place name database such as GEONet Names Server. Those names are not currently used and are also unfamiliar to Korean residents. Those foreign names are most frequently found in coastal geographical names or undersea feature names. If we can trace historical origins of those names, it will be very important in terms of standardization of geographical names, of which one proper name should be given to each geographical feature. Western ships frequently visited Korean waters from the early 18th century; some were looking for trading opportunities, missionary purposes, or simply chasing whales. Both language barriers and isolation policy of Korean government kept western vessels acquiring proper Korean geographical names and they charted what they surveyed in their own language. Further studies on the role of Russia, Netherlands and USA which had not been dealt with in depth are necessary to fully understand the role of western countries.

This study proposes a hierarchical zooming technique that can be used in the smart devices supporting touch interface. Prototype web map is implemented based on HTML5. Characteristics of the proposed technique are identified. A hierarchical zooming technique is applicable for exploring the multi-level choropleth maps focusing on a specific region. A proposed technique is supposed to be a new geovisual analytics technique for exploring geographical pattern.