Generalization

Mackaness, William A. and Chaudhry, Omair Z. (2009) Generalization. In: International encyclopedia of human geography, Oxford: Elsevier, 2009, pp. Elsevier. ISBN 978-0-08-044910-4

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Abstract

This article defines the term generalization in the context of automated mapping. It highlights the link between scale and discovery through the exploration of geographic data. In defining both model and cartographic generalization, the article suggests that traditional human cartographic approaches have become anachronistic and a ‘poor fit’ within information systems solutions. The article defines and illustrates the techniques used in map generalization, presents ideas of analysis and evaluation techniques required for fully automated solutions, and concludes with a discussion of multirepresentational databases capable of storing multiple geographies of the world.