Pitfalls of Digital Maps

Ben B. Brewer

Computers allow us to combine maps from different sources and different scales more easily. In the past, these variations had to be ignored or only partly solved. With the advent of computers and increased digital maps, these inconsistencies become glaring errors that should no longer be ignored. The final success of a project largely lies on the accuracy and validity of its maps.

This paper discusses problems and solutions associated with trying to tie maps together. The paper concentrates on the importance of understanding map projections and the problems involved in adding new maps to existing digital maps.