 | Show World maps issues |
| | 20 August 2008 |
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Ever wanted to know how African countries compare to other world countries when it comes to socio-economic, natural resource, economic, conflict, lifestyle and technology issues? Show World provides this view, including the provision of reports, rankings and other useful tools.
Ever wanted to know how African countries compare to other world countries when it comes to socio-economic, natural resource, economic, conflict, lifestyle and technology issues? Show World provides this view, including the provision of reports, rankings and other useful tools. |
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| | RECTAS to benefit from MOU with Clark Labs |
| | 14 August 2008 |
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The initiative is to provide access to IDRISI and enable RECTAS to become a Resource Centre in Clark Labs' International Resource Centre (IRC) programme.
Source: GeoConnexion
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The initiative is to provide access to IDRISI and enable RECTAS to become a Resource Centre in Clark Labs' International Resource Centre (IRC) programme. |
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| | Africans protesting over food prices |
| | 12 August 2008 |
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Half the countries experiencing protests are in Africa, especially West Africa.
Half the countries experiencing protests are in Africa, especially West Africa. | |
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| | OneGeology project to provide global geology data |
| | 5 August 2008 |
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The project aims to provide geology data available for the world at a 1:1,000,000 scale. What makes this project unique is that it takes geological information available in countries and makes it globally available.
Source: BBC News
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The project aims to provide geology data available for the world at a 1:1,000,000 scale. What makes this project unique is that it takes geological information available in countries and makes it globally available. |
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| | East Africa facing extreme food insecurity |
| | 28 July 2008 |
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Nearly 9 million people in Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia and the northern parts of Kenya and Uganda are facing extreme food insecurity because of civil unrest, displaced people, high food prices and poor production due to poor rains.
Nearly 9 million people in Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia and the northern parts of Kenya and Uganda are facing extreme food insecurity because of civil unrest, displaced people, high food prices and poor production due to poor rains. |
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| | Mapmaker adds new dimension to Google geo-tools |
| | 23 July 2008 |
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Google's Mapmaker allows users to edit maps for countries with poor data. Mapmaker is web-based tool that allows users to add features for certain countries. The countries are currently limited to ones that Google feels are poorly covered.
Google's Mapmaker allows users to edit maps for countries with poor data. Mapmaker is web-based tool that allows users to add features for certain countries. The countries are currently limited to ones that Google feels are poorly covered. |
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| | Value of GIS in Rwandan health sector |
| | 21 July 2008 |
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The article explains the value of GIS in mapping health facilities and other infrastructure in Rwanda.
Source: BBC News
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The article explains the value of GIS in mapping health facilities and other infrastructure in Rwanda. |
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| | Mapping key to addressing river blindness |
| | 10 July 2008 |
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A sustainable national programme for addressing river blindness requires the building of local capacities, implementing community initiatives and mapping areas where the disease is prevalent. This will also facilitate better research into the disease and facilitate better monitoring and evaluation.
Source: Afriquenligne
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A sustainable national programme for addressing river blindness requires the building of local capacities, implementing community initiatives and mapping areas where the disease is prevalent. This will also facilitate better research into the disease and facilitate better monitoring and evaluation. |
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| | Ushadi.com maps political violence in Kenya |
| | 9 July 2008 |
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David Kobia’s Ushahidi ('testimony') website shows just what can be done using Google Maps to show what is happening in a country. For this he received due recognition: www.ushahidi.com.
David Kobia’s Ushahidi ('testimony') website shows just what can be done using Google Maps to show what is happening in a country. For this he received due recognition: www.ushahidi.com. |
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| | Africa the most vulnerable region to climatic change |
| | 8 July 2008 |
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The Climate Change Risk Report indicates that the Comoros Islands in the Indian Ocean is the world's most vulnerable country to the future impacts of global warming such as increased storms, rising sea levels and agricultural failure. The scorecard used to measure this vulnerability has been developed by Maplecroft and can be accessed from their web page: www.maplecroft.com. Source: The Independent
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The Climate Change Risk Report indicates that the Comoros Islands in the Indian Ocean is the world's most vulnerable country to the future impacts of global warming such as increased storms, rising sea levels and agricultural failure. The scorecard used to measure this vulnerability has been developed by Maplecroft and can be accessed from their web page: www.maplecroft.com. |
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| | Mapping population data key to addressing food insecurity |
| | 20 June 2008 |
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UNFPA emphasises importance of mapping population data in supporting food distribution, identifying high food demand areas and targeting the needs of different population groups, especially the vulnerable.
Source: United Nations Population Fund
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UNFPA emphasises importance of mapping population data in supporting food distribution, identifying high food demand areas and targeting the needs of different population groups, especially the vulnerable. |
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| | Congo Basin Fund to support largest rainforest community mapping project in DRC |
| | 18 June 2008 |
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The aim of the rainforest community mapping project is to give people living in the forest the chance to ‘prove’ to the government that they exist and so ensure that their voices are taken into account when decisions are made about how the land is used and by whom.
Source: OneClimate.net
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The aim of the rainforest community mapping project is to give people living in the forest the chance to ‘prove’ to the government that they exist and so ensure that their voices are taken into account when decisions are made about how the land is used and by whom. It will also play a significant role in protecting the world’s second biggest rainforest, the people that live in it and the planet’s climate. |
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| | Geological mapping in Madagascar |
| | 16 June 2008 |
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Several geological survey institutions from Britain, France, Germany, South Africa and the United States are mapping various aspects of the geology. These include the production of high-resolution magnetic and radiometric data, undertaking reconnaissance geological mapping and geophysical surveys, as well as sampling the geochemical stream sediment.
Source: Mining Weekly
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Several geological survey institutions from Britain, France, Germany, South Africa and the United States are mapping various aspects of the geology. These include the production of high-resolution magnetic and radiometric data, undertaking reconnaissance geological mapping and geophysical surveys, as well as sampling the geochemical stream sediment. |
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| | Corporate Social Investment mapping in South Africa |
| | 16 June 2008 |
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A conference on Corporate Social Investment (CSI) in South Africa has emphasized that mapping of corporate investments is needed to track expenditure in both the private and public sectors.
Source: Bizcommunity.com
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A conference on Corporate Social Investment (CSI) in South Africa has emphasized that mapping of corporate investments is needed to track expenditure in both the private and public sectors. |
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| | Is Google Maps GIS? |
| | 13 June 2008 |
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The article creates links to an interesting discussion and a new term for me - neogeography.
Source: HighEarthOrbit
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The article creates links to an interesting discussion and a new term for me - neogeography. |
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| | HealthMap provides alerts on diseases in Africa |
| | 12 June 2008 |
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Using information from many different sources including the World Health Organization, Google and ProMED services, HealthMap provides present and historical data on diseases such as Avian influenza, Cholera, Diarrhoea, Tuberculosis, Malaria, Meningitis, Rift Valley Fever and many more.
Using information from many different sources including the World Health Organization, Google and ProMED services, HealthMap provides present and historical data on diseases such as Avian influenza, Cholera, Diarrhoea, Tuberculosis, Malaria, Meningitis, Rift Valley Fever and many more. |
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| | "StereoSat for Africa" project successfully completed by VIASAT |
| | 9 June 2008 |
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Key players in Burkina Faso and Ghana can now obtain current and accurate information (either on paper and in digital form) necessary for monitoring impacts of weather conditions and human activities on land-use and surface water availability of small reservoir for households, cattle, fisheries and small scale irrigation.
Source: The Tiger Newsletter, Tiger Africa, Issue n9, May 2008
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 Key players in Burkina Faso and Ghana can now obtain current and accurate information (either on paper and in digital form) necessary for monitoring impacts of weather conditions and human activities on land-use and surface water availability of small reservoir for households, cattle, fisheries and small scale irrigation.
This new development empowers them to make decisions on ecosystem analysis and water resource management and has been made possible after the completion of the project "StereoSat Africa: An operational solution using satellite stereoscopy to provide assistance for sustainable water management in the Volta River Basin" by Visat Geotechnologies. The project generated topographical and thematic data through innovative use of true and synthetic stereoscopic and multi-temporal analysis with IKONOS, RADARSAT-1 and LANDSAT TM images in order to provide input for information for hydrological modeling and monitoring of water resources. Topographic and planimetric maps showing the Bagré dam area in 1989, 1999 and 2004 were produced as well as land-use maps changes and monitoring small reservoir water volume under this project. A 3-D terrain view simulation from IKONOS images were also provided showing bank river condition before and after reforestation. This information has been used by PAGEV to promote bank reforestation and minimize erosion.
In addition to project meetings, which took place in Canada, Burkina Faso and in Ghana, the VIASAT project team carried out several field campaigns to collect ground data for positioning and observations necessary for initial satellite image processing. Training workshops and courses on VIASAT StéréoSat technology also took place on several occasions to reinforce the technical capabilities of the local personnel who were affiliated to the PAGEV project. |
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| | A web-based decision support system for flood disaster management in Mozambique completed |
| | 9 June 2008 |
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The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Canada Office and its partners both in Canada and Mozambique have completed the development of a Decision Support System (DSS) for disaster management and response as part of the project entitled "Remote Sensing and GIS Application in Integrated River Basin Management - Vulnerability Assessment and Formulation of Adaptation Strategies in the Lower Limpopo River Basin".
Source: The Tiger Newsletter, Tiger Africa, Issue n9, May 2008
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 The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Canada Office and its partners both in Canada and Mozambique have completed the development of a Decision Support System (DSS) for disaster management and response as part of the project entitled "Remote Sensing and GIS Application in Integrated River Basin Management - Vulnerability Assessment and Formulation of Adaptation Strategies in the Lower Limpopo River Basin".
The project has demonstrated the effectiveness of Remote Sensing/ GIS applications for Integrated River Basin Management considering that Southern Africa is susceptible to environmental stresses imposed by either human induced pressure (e.g. construction of dams, land use change, etc.) and/or natural induced stimulus (erosion, cyclones, etc.). These stresses are often exacerbated by changes in climate variability and flooding is the most devastating outcome in the region.
This application now accessible through a web portal (www.cenacarta.com ) is designed specifically to respond to specific users’ needs during disaster situations. It will thus be a very useful tool augmenting the Government of Mozambique capacities and those of other decision makers engaged in disaster related work to deal with flood management. They will all have an opportunity to query the DSS with regard to different thematic and geospatial information.
One of the unique features of this DSS is its potential utilization with near-real time acquired radar imagery from the Canadian RADARSAT-1 Earth observation satellite enabling it to be used on an operational level for flood mapping and monitoring under all weather conditions. A remote sensing Lab at CENACARTA was equipped with computers and GIS related material (satellite images, GIS software, GPS units and pockets PCs). For project sustainability, a training session was conducted in May 2008 relative to the usage of RADARSAT-1 images and the management of the decision support system.
The project has been well received by the local partners and researchers at the University Eduardo Mondlane in Maputo. The local partners are now considering opportunities to use satellite radar imagery in new geographical contexts related to soil moisture and ecosystem monitoring. |
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| | SHARE soil moisture comparisons for SADC |
| | 5 June 2008 |
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SHARE mean monthly figures for soil moisture in SADC for 2005-2007 provide a valuable insight into what is happening in the region. The monthly maps can be compared to see how the soil moisture varies.
Source: SHARE
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SHARE mean monthly figures for soil moisture in SADC for 2005-2007 provide a valuable insight into what is happening in the region. The monthly maps can be compared to see how the soil moisture varies. |
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| | Geological Remote Sensing Centre in Botswana |
| | 5 June 2008 |
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Botswana and the Japanese government have signed a MoU to establish the centre.
Botswana and the Japanese government have signed a MoU to establish the centre.
29/5/08: Remarks by His Honour Lt. Gen. Mompati S. Merafhe, MP Vice President of the Republic of Botswana at the Business Symposium of the Ticad IV Summit held in Yokohama, Japan.
- Mr. Chairman; Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen; Good afternoon; it is good to be here, at this Africa Business Symposium.
- Allow me to pay tribute to Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) for continuing to contribute so productively to efforts to strengthen the partnership between Africa and Japan in the areas of trade and investment. We also thank you for giving us this opportunity to interact with such a diverse group of business leaders. As far as this morning's session has gone, our high expectations of the symposium are being fulfilled.
- I also want to thank all members of the business community who are here today. It is my hope that the symposium will give you a better understanding of the African continent.
- Ladies and gentlemen, as you are no doubt aware, a major preoccupation of Africa in recent years has been the low number of Japanese investors in the continent.
- When the TICAD process was launched back in 1993, in response to a new set of economic and political circumstances, which the African continent was facing, Japan formulated a very positive stance towards Africa's development. As a result, today Africa enjoys the very best of bilateral relations with Japan.
- However, our relations seem to have grown stronger only at the governmental level, and mainly in the area of development assistance, though notable changes are taking place in the area of trade. There is an ongoing debate on how we can reinvigorate and expand this relationship.
- Some sceptics have pointed to the geographical distance between Africa and Japan, and to our cultural differences, and argued that it would be too hard for Africa to develop a more meaningful partnership with the Japanese private sector.
- I believe none of you here share this despair since increased investments would also enhance the competitiveness of your companies and the economic prosperity of Japan. We both stand to benefit. Our continent is endowed with huge mineral resources. It accounts for 10% of the world's crude oil reserves, 75% of cobalt, 80% of platinum, 40% of chrome, 38% of uranium, 32% of gold, 28% of manganese and, to top it all, 47% of diamonds, most of them mined in my country. Botswana is the largest producer of diamonds by value, producing in excess of 30 million carats a year over the last five years.
- Mr. Chairman, we were honoured that the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Mr. Amari, visited Botswana last November. It was the first time ever for Botswana to receive a Japanese Minister. A number of senior representatives of private Japanese enterprises and related governmental agencies accompanied the Minister on this trip. This was indeed a great opportunity for our two countries to deepen their excellent bilateral relations.
- During the visit, Botswana and Japan entered into a new form of cooperation in the area of natural resources and energy. We signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a "Geological Remote Sensing Center" in Botswana for the exploration of mineral resources, especially rare metals, using Japanese space satellites.
- The Japan Oil, Gas and Metals Corporation (JOGMEC), which has the expertise in mineral exploration, and our Ministry of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources, will jointly create the Center within our Department of Geological Surveys. I understand that discussions on a final agreement are at an advanced stage, and that if all goes well, the Center will be established before the end of this year.
- The plan is to first form a framework for joint survey, and then dispatch JOGMEC remote-sensing specialists to Botswana to train and equip our engineers and geologists with the technical know-how for satellite image analysis.
- It is our intention to then expand the project to other countries in the region, which have the potential of underground rare metals. Mr. Chairman, as I have already indicated, there is no doubt that Africa boasts abundant quantities of unexplored mineral resources. This remote sensing project therefore is of immense value to us.
- It will offer Botswana and the region a big advantage to effectively secure basic geological information in vast areas, and to mine and extract those minerals for the benefit of our peoples. I have no doubt that with the advanced technology that would be transferred to Botswana, and the promise that it offers for rare metals to be easily detected for new mineral investment projects by Japanese companies, we would be in a position to meet the ever increasing demand for rare metals in Japan.
- We are well aware that these are vital for the Japanese manufacturing industry. We should all therefore celebrate the creation of this "Geological Remote Sensing Center". It will help Japan and our region to complement each others' efforts and develop a dynamic and forward looking relationship in the mining sector.
- Mr. Chairman, we cannot deny that there remain some impediments to investments by Japanese companies in Africa, and that we have been slow in providing a more predictable regulatory environment. Africa is facing up to this challenge, and is determined to succeed. A lot has already been achieved as evidenced by significant growth in a number of African economies over the last few years.
- In Botswana, our Government has introduced very liberal and flexible investment policies. Investors are free to operate foreign currency accounts at local banks and repatriate profits and dividends freely. Our corporate taxes are the lowest in the region at 25%, and 15% for manufacturing and financial services enterprises. We also offer tax holidays for periods of up to ten years for some categories of investments. Furthermore, investors can enjoy the benefits of a highly skilled workforce, advanced infrastructure and a well established health system.
- Even though we have a small population, our country is the gateway to the bigger Southern African Customs Union (SACU) market of some 50 million people, and to the even bigger SADC market, which comprises some 200 million people. I therefore invite you to come to Botswana to reap the huge benefits that we offer.
- In conclusion, let me say that we are confident that Africa's partnership with Japan will continue to grow from strength to strength and bring great benefits to both our peoples and economies. The business community has a major role to play in strengthening this partnership. It is certainly within your interests that you rise to this responsibility. I thank you for your attention.
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| | Satellite data critical in predicting climate change |
| | 29 May 2008 |
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A European Space Agency (ESA) conference has indicated the necessity to establish a fleet of Earth Observation (EO) satellites to monitor climatic change.
A European Space Agency (ESA) conference has indicated the necessity to establish a fleet of Earth Observation (EO) satellites to monitor climatic change. |
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| | Climate change is to affect African regions differently |
| | 27 May 2008 |
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The "Climate Change in Our World" project uses Google Earth to show how the global temperatures will change over the next hundred years.
The "Climate Change in Our World" project uses Google Earth to show how the global temperatures will change over the next hundred years. It also shows how specific regions of Africa will be impacted. Southern and North Africa will become drought prone, the large rivers like the Congo and Limpopo will rise, flooding large areas. The sea will also have an affect by flooding large parts of West Africa. |
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| | Greendex skips Africa |
| | 13 May 2008 |
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National Geographic Society conducted a study measuring and monitoring consumer attitudes to environmental sustainability issues in 14 countries around the world, including only two African countries.
Source: National Geographic Society
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National Geographic Society conducted a study measuring and monitoring consumer attitudes to environmental sustainability issues in 14 countries around the world, including only two African countries. This is somewhat surprising considering that Africa is acknowledged internationally to have some of the worst problems with environmental sustainability. |
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| | Making GIS amazing |
| | 13 May 2008 |
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Combine the use of GIS, a multi-touch wall and some music and you get something amazing!!!! Check it out...
Source: The Earth is Square
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Combine the use of GIS, a multi-touch wall and some music and you get something amazing!!!! Check it out... |
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| | WRI releases data for Kenya |
| | 5 May 2008 |
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Data on population and poverty, agriculture, land cover and land form, base data, elevation, rainfall, biodiversity and wildlife, tourism, water, irrigation, and hydropower has been released by the WRI.
Source: World Resources Institute (WRI)
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Data on population and poverty, agriculture, land cover and land form, base data, elevation, rainfall, biodiversity and wildlife, tourism, water, irrigation, and hydropower has been released by the WRI. |
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| | 2008 nationwide digital mapping data for Nigeria |
| | 2 May 2008 |
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As part of the continuing effort to see to the development of “quality” digital geo-spatial data for Nigeria, we have added address ranges to our already existing street map data. These allows geocoding of any building address nationwide given the house number and the street name, these allows for house number to house number routing and navigation uniquely different from the hitherto existing street to street navigation offered by other suppliers.
As part of the continuing effort to see to the development of “quality” digital geo-spatial data for Nigeria, we have added address ranges to our already existing street map data. These allows geocoding of any building address nationwide given the house number and the street name, these allows for house number to house number routing and navigation uniquely different from the hitherto existing street to street navigation offered by other suppliers.
We have also added direction information to each feature in our street map data, this means each road/street specifies if it is a one way street or if it is bi- directional, this unique attribute tagged to our street database offers a whole lot of opportunities to application developers who needs street direction information built into their applications.
The address range database also offers new opportunities to vehicle tracking and location based service providers where the location of their subject has to be pin pointed or located as accurately as possible, rather to the all existing end of the street location used presently.
We are not resting in our efforts to see to the needs of the geo-spatial community as far as Nigerian data is concerned, we have developed solutions out of these upgraded mapping data – we have developed routable, house to house routing/navigation maps of the entire country usable on mobile phones with or without GPS modules, in other words, you can come to use and turn your mobile phones into sophisticated nationwide navigation appliance in Nigeria. Our maps and software works well on any mobile device that runs the Windows Mobile operating system.
Why do you also have to carry paper maps when we have developed mobile phone maps down to street level for the entire country Nigeria? You can search for streets, objects like hotels, schools, banks etc – you can conveniently search for nearest objects to any street you want – this is superb.
Finally, we have also developed nationwide GPS maps – routable and non- routable, with house to house navigation, search and route – for the entire country Nigeria – it means you will never get lost in Nigeria.
Third Dimension Technologies: Lagos, New York, London For more information – email: info@3dtechnologies.org or visit www.ceaser-web.com. |
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| | UN Population Fund assists Sudan with census mapping |
| | 30 April 2008 |
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Mapping is key to the implementation of any census but Sudanese census goes slow because of logistical problems.
Source: UN Integrated Regional Information Networks (IRIN)
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After living in Ethiopia for 14 years, Reak Chuol recently returned to his native Southern Sudan, keen to take part in a population census whose findings could influence the status of the region.
"I am not sure why, for two days now, my family have waited for the enumerators to count us but we have not seen them," he said in Malakal, Upper Nile State. "If they were short of people to employ, they should have recruited more."
Despite assurances by organisers that all was going well, many people in Upper Nile experienced delays before taking part in Sudan's fifth census, which began on 22 April.
While the first day of the census was declared a public holiday, enumerators were largely hampered in their work by logistical problems.
"We have covered only a fraction of the targeted population in my area, but it is going well," a census supervisor, who requested anonymity, said in Malakal. Some 60,000 enumerators have been recruited, at a cost of just over US$100 million. |
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| | New villages identified in DRC using satellite imagery |
| | 25 April 2008 |
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Using a combination of satellite imagery and GPS, new villages are being identified and mapped with help from local people.
Source: BBC News
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Using a combination of satellite imagery and GPS, new villages are being identified and mapped with help from local people. |
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| | Libya emphasises importance of using GI in development and education |
| | 21 April 2008 |
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The First International Conference on the role of Geographic Data Systems Technologies to support sustainable development in Africa recommended the need to adopt the geographic data technologies and their use in all fields with focus on upgrading scientific curriculums at all educational stages.
The First International Conference on the role of Geographic Data Systems Technologies to support sustainable development in Africa recommended the need to adopt the geographic data technologies and their use in all fields with focus on upgrading scientific curriculums at all educational stages. The importance of training and progression in geo-technology field that include geographic data systems and remote sensing and production of digital maps and the need to use geographic data system technologies in all developmental projects. |
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| | Bilko, MultiSpec, TNTLite and GRASS - free software for learners and trainers |
| | 21 April 2008 |
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These image processing and GIS software are freely available for download to enable learners to understand the principles of remote sensing and GIS.
These image processing and GIS software are freely available for download to enable learners to understand the principles of remote sensing and GIS.
Website resources:
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| | UNHCR projects mapped with Google Earth |
| | 17 April 2008 |
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Want to see where the UNHCR has projects and what they are doing? Download the free version of Google Earth and the related file and start the tour.
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| | Google Earth provides platform for "World is Witness" |
| | 17 April 2008 |
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Have you ever read about the horrors that happened and are happening in countries like Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo? Google Earth and World is Witness lets you see.
Have you ever read about the horrors that happened and are happening in countries like Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo? Google Earth and World is Witness lets you see. |
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| | Wildlife habitat ratings in Madagascar using satellite imagery |
| | 16 April 2008 |
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Researchers from the University of California (Berkeley), the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew and the Natural History museum are producing ground breaking research to create detailed maps to identify high priority habitats that contain vulnerable wildlife that need conservation.
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| | Street address data for Nigeria |
| | 16 April 2008 |
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Third Dimension Technologies released 2008 nationwide street addresses linked to their street map data for Nigeria.
Third Dimension Technologies released 2008 nationwide street addresses linked to their street map data for Nigeria. |
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| | Le monde dans les yeux d’un rédac chef, l’Américaine version |
| | 24 March 2008 |
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The cartograms below show the world through the eyes of editors-in-chief, in 2007. Countries swell as they receive more media attention; others shrink as we forget them.
The cartograms below show the world through the eyes of editors-in-chief, in 2007. Countries swell as they receive more media attention; others shrink as we forget them.
These maps allow you to grasp several media trends at a glance. First, traditional newspapers are highly selective in their coverage of world news. Looking at the three British dailies, editors favour countries that are bigger and more populous, but also closer to home and better developed. They also give more room to the countries of origin of British immigrants, especially if they are white (look at the size of Australia and New-Zealand). Hardly surprising, but still disheartening, especially when you consider that the only brand that does not advocate objectivity, The Economist, covers the world more equally.
Second, we see that web-only outlets do not offer such a different view of the world. That makes sense, considering the narrowing of the news agenda on the web that was described in the Project for Excellence in Journalism’s latest report. Their lack of resources forces them to contract their scope. Smaller issues are better covered by the blogosphere, which seems unbeatable at providing niche news.
The world according to newspapers is a project that came up while writing a dissertation for school. I first published some maps on L’Observatoire des Médias, a French blog. Seeing the response, Gilles Bruno and I decided to go further and keep track of newspaper coverage. We want the maps above to be updated daily (or weekly) in order to pressure editors into covering more diverse issues.
We will build a scraper that will automatically retrieve the data for the 164 countries on several newspapers and a Java or Flash interface that will morph the maps. If you have any skill in cartograms, or data scraping, or if you have funds to buy these skills, you are more than welcome in the team!
"The Economist" World | | | 
"Rue 89" World | |
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| | Using regionally owned space infrastructure for disaster management in West and North Africa |
| | 13 March 2008 |
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A recent workshop in Nigeria drew role players in the geo-information industry and relevant decision-makers together to consider the data, tools, infrastructure available to manage regional disasters. Avenues of collaboration, limitations in data quality and enhancing capacity building was explored.
A recent workshop in Nigeria drew role players in the geo-information industry and relevant decision-makers together to consider the data, tools, infrastructure available to manage regional disasters. Avenues of collaboration, limitations in data quality and enhancing capacity building was explored.
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| | Need to know about map projections? |
| | 5 March 2008 |
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The GIS and Remote Sensing web page in collaboration with the International Institute for Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC) have put together a wonderful resource on map projects.
The GIS and Remote Sensing web page in collaboration with the International Institute for Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation (ITC) have put together a wonderful resource on map projects.
They cover aspects such as what is a map projection, scale distortions on maps, properties of map projections, the classification of map projections, selecting a suitable map projection and map projections in common use. |
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| | Google Earth used to map Darfur atrocities |
| | 4 March 2008 |
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The power of Google Earth as a technology of change and informing people of what is happening in the world is emphasized in U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum’s focus on atrocities in Darfur, Sudan.
The power of Google Earth as a technology of change and informing people of what is happening in the world is emphasized in U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum’s focus on atrocities in Darfur, Sudan. |
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| | SABC uses GIS and GPS to track license defaulters |
| | 4 March 2008 |
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The South African Broadcasting Corporation uses a combination of geocoded TV license holders and GPS to identify houses which are not paying.
Johannesburg -- The South African Broadcasting Corp. is using a sophisticated GPS mapping system to track down TV license fee defaulters.
Anton Heunis, head of the audience services division of the pubcaster, warned that by law anyone with TV sets, computers fitted with a TV tuner or video card, TV sets in vehicles, caravans and mobile homes had to buy a license, even if they did not watch SABC channels.
"By using a GPS mapping system, our teams will be able to identify households and businesses which, according to the SABC TV license database, are not in possession of a valid license. The team can overlay the TV license database over the suburb/area map and establish exactly which households have TV licenses and which don't. They will then also know which households to visit -- it's indicated on the map with specific codes."
The SABC receives 20% of its funding from TV license fees, set at 225 rand ($32) a year. Defaulters who are caught are fined an additional $65. |
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| | Mozambique to map wildlife census |
| | 4 March 2008 |
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A census of Mozambique's wildlife is going to be carried out and will be mapped. The aim of the project is ultimately to prevent conflict between humans and wild animals.
A census of Mozambique's wildlife is going to be carried out and will be mapped. The aim of the project is ultimately to prevent conflict between humans and wild animals. |
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| | The GITSDA 2008 Conference |
| | 25 February 2008 |
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The 1st International Conference GeoInformation Technologies to Support Sustainable Development in Africa, GITSDA'2008 will be held in Tripoli - Libya at the Academy of Graduate Studies, April 5-7, 2008.
The 1st International Conference GeoInformation Technologies to Support Sustainable Development in Africa, GITSDA'2008 will be held in Tripoli - Libya at the Academy of Graduate Studies, April 5-7, 2008.
The conference aims to provide a platform to share the latest developments in the geoinformation technologies environment and to promote the technology and its contribution to the development of Africa. |
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| | Cape Town develops "smart city" GIS |
| | 25 February 2008 |
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We always hear of the need to integrate GIS into an organisations IT- and business systems. The City of Cape Town has developed such a system integrating their GIS with SAP.
Source: ESRI
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We always hear of the need to integrate GIS into an organisations IT- and business systems. The City of Cape Town has developed such a system integrating their GIS with SAP.
Seven neighboring municipalities were incorporated into the city of Cape Town in the Republic of South Africa in 2001 to consolidate and streamline government services across the Cape Town metropolitan area. Cape Town, with a population of approximately 3.2 million, immediately became responsible for managing a number of antiquated, stand-alone information management systems holding disparate data in at least seven different IT centers across the new city.
The Cape Town IT Department wanted to create a better flow of information among various city departments and provide more efficient services for residents. Committing itself to a holistic and comprehensive "smart city" strategy, the IT Department initiated a number of projects to standardize the information and communication technology (ICT) architecture and connect constituent parts. |
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| | FAO Country Profiles and Mapping Information System provides valuable data on African countries |
| | 21 February 2008 |
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The website profiles fantastic maps for African countries on topics such as: administrative boundaries, sustainable development (ie population, temperature and rainfall), economic situation, agriculture sector (ie relief, livestock, arable land, land cover), forestry sector, fishery sector and technical cooperation.
Source: FAO
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The website profiles fantastic maps for African countries on topics such as: administrative boundaries, sustainable development (ie population, temperature and rainfall), economic situation, agriculture sector (ie relief, livestock, arable land, land cover), forestry sector, fishery sector and technical cooperation. |
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| | Google Earth Tutorial videos released |
| | 19 February 2008 |
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Google Earth has released 5 videos to show people how to use the technology. It covers topics such as geotagging, navigating, getting coordinates, marking locations and searching.
Google Earth has released 5 videos to show people how to use the technology. It covers topics such as geotagging, navigating, getting coordinates, marking locations and searching.
Google Earth combines the power of Google Search with satellite imagery, maps, terrain and 3D buildings to put the world's geographic information at your fingertips. |
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| | Free Geography Tools highlights 6 free GPS applications |
| | 15 February 2008 |
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Fantastic applications for your GPS are described and options to download are provided.
Source: Free Geography Tools
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Fantastic applications for your GPS are described and options to download are provided.
Most are Windows-only, but a few are also available in native format for Mac and Linux, and may well run in Mac under Parallels/Boot Camp and Linux under WINE.
- Downloading/uploading point and track information
- GPS datafile creation with maps
- GPS file format conversion
- Digital globe
- Photo geotagging
- GPS satellite visibility
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| | 17 new satellites to monitor climate change |
| | 21 January 2008 |
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The satellites will provide maps of climate and weather patterns, environmental information, information on droughts and flooding, carbon dioxide concentrations, soil moisture and ocean salinity.
Source: IRIN News
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JOHANNESBURG, 17 January 2008 (IRIN) - A record 17 satellites are to be launched in 2008 in the largest-ever concerted global effort to monitor the impact of climate change over the next few decades, according to the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), which is leading the initiative.
At a two-day meeting in New Orleans, USA, Jerome Lafeuille, Chief of the Space-based Observing System Division of the WMO’s Space Programme, said the organisation had managed to get the support of a number of space agencies, which would share information.
The satellites will not only provide a continuous flow of climate and weather data, but also environmental information to aid long-term study of climate change, as well as early warning information on droughts and flooding to help developing countries.
The information is critical, as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has warned that by 2020 up to 250 million people in Africa could be exposed to increased water stress as a result of climate change, and food production could be halved. Fresh water availability in Asia was also expected to fall.
Rising sea levels would exacerbate inundation, erosion and threaten infrastructure and settlements. Uncertain climate is also set to make weather events like cyclones, flooding and rainfall more intense and their impact on food security and livelihoods more severe.
“Food security management relies on the combined use of environmental and meteorological satellites,” Lafeuille told IRIN. “Meteorological satellites provide real-time information, while environmental or land-surface imaging satellites provide high resolution information on land-cover.”
Mannava Sivakumar, Chief of WMO’s Agricultural Meteorology Division, said remote sensing provided large-scale data on growing conditions such as soil moisture and land surface temperature on a large scale, which helped plan crop planting.
The WMO meeting in New Orleans, which ended on 16 January, marked the new contribution of Brazil, which operates a satellite programme with China (CBERS) to monitor environment. Brazil announced it would complement information on Africa provided by the European Organisation of Meteorological Satellites (EUMETSAT) for several years.
The information from CBERS will help develop the African Monitoring of Environment for Sustainable Development regional project, launched in 2007 to help African countries improve management of their natural resources.
At least 16 geostationary and low-earth orbit satellites currently provide operational data on the planet’s climate and weather as part of the WMO’s Global Observing System.
Among the satellites to be launched are two research stations, the Japanese Greenhouse Gas Observation Satellite (GOSAT) and the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO), which will monitor carbon dioxide concentration. A new European Space Agency satellite will provide data on soil moisture and ocean salinity.
The increasingly uncertain climatic patterns have been blamed on the emission of greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, which trap heat in the atmosphere. |
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| | Socio-economic atlas for Malawi a world beater |
| | 18 January 2008 |
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Want to know more about the distribution of Malawi population?
Source: ReliefWeb
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The National Statistical Office of the government of Malawi was established to collect, compile, analyze, publish, and disseminate statistical information on a wide range of topics.The mission of the National Statistical Office is to provide and promote accurate, appropriate, high-quality, and timely statistical information for use in both the public and the private sectors for policy formulation, decision making, research, and general public awareness for the advancement of the socio-economic status of all Malawians.
A central focus of the work of the NSO is the living conditions of all Malawians - especially the poor, whose standard of living fails to meet their basic needs.This atlas was developed as part of efforts to increase our understanding of the living conditions of Malawi's poor as a basis for action to better provide for their well-being.Taken in their entirety, the maps in this atlas provide profound insights into the characteristics and living conditions of the population of Malawi and how they vary across the country, thereby enabling poverty reduction programs and policies to be appropriately targeted.It is our wish that all those working for poverty reduction and economic and social development in Malawi will find this atlas to be an important information source in designing strategies to direct our nation toward a brighter future.
The maps are drawn principally from the results of the 1998 Population and Housing Census for which NSO was responsible;however, data from other sources was also exploited, most notably the 1997-98 Integrated Household Survey.We gratefully acknowledge the institutions that provided technical and financial support in carrying out the 1998 census:the United Nations Population Fund, the Department for International Development of the government of the United Kingdom, the United Nations Development Programme, and the United States Agency for International Development.NSO further thanks the inter-ministerial Technical Working Committee of the Poverty Monitoring System for the guidance and support provided to NSO in carrying out the 1997-98 Integrated Household Survey. |
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| | GIS has vital role in future development of North Africa and Middle East |
| | 18 January 2008 |
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Lack of mapping and GIS resources may hamper its use in future development of North Africa and Middle East.
Source: Directions Magazine
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Redlands, California—Taking place for the first time in the Sultanate of Oman, the ESRI Middle East & North Africa User Conference (MEAUC), held October 29–31, 2007, provided a collaborative forum for both new and advanced users of geospatial technology. Jack Dangermond, ESRI president, and high-level delegates from Oman, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Bahrain, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia attested to the value of geographic information system (GIS) technology before regional leaders and professionals.
Following Dangermond's Keynote Address, regional leaders in industries ranging from town planning to rural affairs shared their thoughts on the significance of GIS software. The 10th annual MEAUC was held under the patronage of H.E. Ahmed bin Abdulnabi Macki, minister of national economy and deputy chairman of the Financial Affairs and Energy Resources Council in Oman.
During his presentation, Macki stressed that GIS would play a vital role in the future of the Middle East and North Africa, providing information management and key planning tools. Like the rest of the region, Oman is developing swiftly; tourism increased more than 50 percent in three years. In some areas, major changes in land use are being driven by sweeping industrialization. Macki also emphasized that Oman has faced challenges in the past due to its limited mapping and geographic data resources. GIS can be used to support Oman's plans for the future, said Macki.
"This year's conference provided an opportunity for the region's leaders, professionals, and GIS users to discover and explore GIS solutions together," said Dangermond. "For individuals to travel to and participate in this event shows a deep commitment to finding and developing solutions that will better our world."
Hosted by ESRI Muscat CO LLC and Khatib & Alami and Partners, MEAUC drew close to 500 professionals from more than 15 countries in the Middle East and North Africa. Held at the seaside Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa, the conference gave attendees the opportunity to hear user presentations, participate in technical workshops, see an array of exhibitors' products and services, pose questions to ESRI experts, and receive awards for achievements such as best user paper. ArcGIS software tips and tricks, as well as ESRI products on the horizon, were also discussed. The Map Gallery and Advanced Cartography workshop provided further insight on the power of maps in solving problems and addressing issues. The gala barbecue dinner was held overlooking the Gulf of Oman, where visitors could network and socialize in a relaxed setting.
To learn more about the 2007 MEAUC, visit www.meauc.com. For information about the next MEAUC, to be hosted in conjunction with the 2008 ESRI European User Conference, visit http://www.esriuk.com/emea2008. |
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| | A biodiversity intactness index |
| | 18 January 2008 |
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The nations of the world have set themselves a target of reducing the rate of biodiversity loss by 2010. Here, we propose a biodiversity intactness index (BII) for assessing progress towards this target that is simple and practical—but sensitive to important factors that influence biodiversity status—and which satisfies the criteria for policy relevance set by the Convention on Biological Diversity. Application of the BII is demonstrated on a large region (4 3 106 km2) of southern Africa. The BII score in the year 2000 is about 84%: in other words, averaged across all plant and vertebrate species in the region, populations have declined to 84% of their presumed pre-modern levels. The taxonomic group with the greatest loss is mammals, at 71% of pre-modern levels, and the ecosystem type with the greatest loss is grassland, with 74% of its former populations remaining. During the 1990s, a population decline of 0.8% is estimated to have occurred.
Source: CSIR Environmentek
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The nations of the world have set themselves a target of reducing the rate of biodiversity loss by 2010. Here, we propose a biodiversity intactness index (BII) for assessing progress towards this target that is simple and practical—but sensitive to important factors that influence biodiversity status—and which satisfies the criteria for policy relevance set by the Convention on Biological Diversity. Application of the BII is demonstrated on a large region (4 3 106 km2) of southern Africa. The BII score in the year 2000 is about 84%: in other words, averaged across all plant and vertebrate species in the region, populations have declined to 84% of their presumed pre-modern levels. The taxonomic group with the greatest loss is mammals, at 71% of pre-modern levels, and the ecosystem type with the greatest loss is grassland, with 74% of its former populations remaining. During the 1990s, a population decline of 0.8% is estimated to have occurred.
The loss of biodiversity in the modern era, at rates unequalled since the major extinction events in the distant geological past is a matter of considerable policy concern. The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has adopted a target of reducing the rate of biodiversity loss by 2010 (ref. 3). For this target to be met, a method of measuring biodiversity status must be agreed on and implemented. At present no scientific consensus measure exists, although several candidates have been proposed. The CBD has agreed on a partial set of indicators. Difficulties in establishing operational indicators stem largely from the complex, multidimensional nature of biodiversity, which can be defined in terms of composition, structure and function at multiple scales. | |
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| | Global Biodiversity Infomation Portal |
| | 17 January 2008 |
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The GBIF provides a wealth of information on species occurrence by country for the whole of Africa.
The GBIF provides a wealth of information on species occurrence by country for the whole of Africa. |
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