Scholarly record
TRANSITION FROM TRADITIONAL TO INTERACTIVE REGIONAL CARTOGRAPHY: THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COMBINED PRINT AND WEB ATLAS OF KVEMO KARTLI
Abstract
The rapid evolution of geographic information technologies has significantly transformed the field of regional atlas cartography, shifting the paradigm from static, paper-based publications to dynamic, interactive web environments. This paper introduces the methodological framework, structural design, and practical execution of the combined print and web-based geographical atlas of the Kvemo Kartli region, Georgia. Developed by the Vakhushti Bagrationi Institute of Geography, this project synthesizes centuries of institutional cartographic tradition with modern WebGIS workflows. The main problem addressed in this study is the technological transition from traditional compilation methods to open-source web implementation without compromising high-standard scientific visualization. The methodology utilizes robust desktop GIS applications (ArcMap, QGIS, ArcGIS Pro) for geospatial data processing and harmonization, while employing native web technologies, specifically HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, and the Leaflet library to execute frontend map interactivity and web publishing. Legitimate BaseMap from OpenStreetMap and ESRI World Maps were leveraged for uniform tiling. The resulting dual-format atlas includes a diverse set of thematic maps spanning physical geography, demography, natural resources, agriculture, economy, transport infrastructure, and cultural heritage. This paper details the systematic architectural pipeline of the atlas, analyzes its multi-layered database, and highlights its strategic value for regional planning, educational expansion, and sustainable tourism management.
Publication details
References14
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