I realize I’ve gone on a bit in comments on the “Ukraine Updates” about maps, lately, without defining things. And I’ve realized that there are probably some things about maps that most people don’t understand.
There are a few different mapping software. If you’re a map geek with lots of resources, there is ArcMap, but there are also really nice free things like Google Maps and Google Earth that will let you do fun map things.
Don’t stress, play with what you have. (But do go play with Google Earth. It is free, and fun, if you like maps.)
Maps are made from layers. Also called shapefiles. These layers can be dots, lines, or polygons, depending on what you need.
The first thing you do, making a map, is choose what is called a “basemap.” That’s the background of a map. Most of the maps we’re seeing of Ukraine stuff are using a basemap like Google Earth, or a satellite layer — something that is just a photograph of what is going on. But there are other basemaps, for things like roads, or terrain, or various combinations of things.
The next thing these maps usually put down is a layer that is red, and something with some transparency, to show where the Russians are. (Boo!!!) And another layer, also somewhat transparent, to show what areas are being contested, often in yellow.
After that, whomever is making the maps (and you’re wonderful, whomever you are!) adds other layers.
Often there are point layers, showing different towns, and who controls them, which have been defined in different colors.
Another type of layer shows lines. These will show things like roads, or rivers. Each type of thing will be its own layer or shapefile.
You could also add more shapefiles, for things like town boundaries, or county boundaries, or all kinds of other interesting things that would make the map more useful.
But, when you look at all the lovely maps people are using to describe what is going on, it’s a basemap, and a bunch of layers, and these all stack up to see what you see, and knowing how and what to put together is tricky.
Too much is complicated and confusing. Leave out something, and you don’t know what is going on. Using things too literally, like relying just on the basemap for details, and it’s hard to understand things — something like a bright blue line for a river may be clearer than just relying on seeing the river in the basemap.
But the maps that everyone has been using here, to describe things, are really lovely, and represent a lot of work and attention to detail to give good information in an accurate way.
So thank you, Daily Kos map makers, for all you are doing to turn abstract information into something anyone can look at and understand. You’re doing an outstanding job.