Atlas Technology, a Digital Framework for Efficient Management and Use of Regional Data. The Argentina Satellite Atlas

Abstract

In Argentina, as in other developing countries, information availability could be a serious problem. Due to the lack of information such as topographical, geological and other kind of geospatial data, geoscientists have strong difficulties to make their regional studies especially when digital analysis should be made. Despite of the great effort of different international organisations (UNEP GRID, Geocover, etc.) to supply free geodata coverage, information could not be efficiently used and managed without a good technological support. The Argentine Satellite Atlas for Geological and Geographical Studies is a special cartographic product generated by automatic procedures based on GIS technology and public and institutional data. The aim of this project is to provide a useful reference document for students, geologist and other earth science professionals. This paper describes the conceptual model, digital components, database structure and cartographic criteria that provided a framework for the quick generation of a high quality cartographic product.