In Argentina, as in other developing countries, information availability could be a serious problem. Due to the lack of information such as topographical, geological and other kind of geospatial data, geoscientists have strong difficulties to make their regional studies especially when digital analysis should be made. Despite of the great effort of different international organisations (UNEP GRID, Geocover, etc.) to supply free geodata coverage, information could not be efficiently used and managed without a good technological support. The Argentine Satellite Atlas for Geological and Geographical Studies is a special cartographic product generated by automatic procedures based on GIS technology and public and institutional data. The aim of this project is to provide a useful reference document for students, geologist and other earth science professionals. This paper describes the conceptual model, digital components, database structure and cartographic criteria that provided a framework for the quick generation of a high quality cartographic product.

1. CARLOS GABRIEL ASATO - EUGENIA MARIANA WRIGHT
ATLAS TECHNOLOGY, A DIGITAL FRAMEWORK FOR
EFFICIENT MANAGEMENT AND USE OF REGIONAL DATA
THE ARGENTINA SATELLITE ATLAS

2. Objetives
• Create a reference guide for regional studies of Argentina territory.
• Create a cartographic product oriented to the public, students and
scientists requirements.
• Generate a cartographic product that promotes the geographical
space comprehension, identification or localization of related
spatial information.
• Enhacement of the SEGEMAR SDI capability.

3. Argentina Geographical and Data Context
Pros and Cons
Argentina 3.000.000 Km2
The Cons
Lack of digital information specially
detailed topographic, geological and
other kind of spatial data.
Strong difficulties in data surveying,
management and maitenance.
Low budgets and little human resources.
Old hardware and software system
The Pros
Strong experience
on automatical digital map production
Free Internet geodata availability
Operative corporate GIS support
Usefull information and data structures
are available at SEGEMAR

4. Computer and Software
• Arc-Info 8.0 (Unix and WinNT)
• Arc-View 3.2
• X-Terminal emulator
• Corel Draw 9
• Erdas
• Sun Enterprise 250 (application server)
• Pentium Pro 200 mhz (Samba file server)
• Pentium 200 mhz (digitizing and edition)
• Pentium II, 400 mhz (programming)
• Pentium III, 650 mhz (cartographic finishing)
• Pentium III, 1Gz (Image processing, JICA)
• Xerox Docucolor 450 (printing system, JICA)

5. Data Sources
• Landsat 5 TM Geocover Mosaics, UNEP
• Gtopo 30, NOAA
• Corporate Geodatabase at 1:500.000
• Argentina Cartographic Names List (IGM)
• Country boundary at 1:250.000 (IGM)

6. System Production Design Criteria
• GIS based Atlas.
• Creation of Cartographic Automated Production System.
• Corporate digital cartographic production techniques.
• Cartographic modular design.

7. Database Design and Production Concepts
The amount of data and geographic complexity requires the
development of operational and systematic patterns of cartographic
production systems similar to those used at manufacturing
industry
The definition of Institutional or Corporate GIS framework
became critical!!

8. Perfomance Balance Diagram
Hardware and
Software
Capabilities
Technical
Knowledge &
Experience
Data
Amount,
Availability &
Complexity
Needs
GIS
Product

9. Work Flow Diagram
GIS
Digital Cartographic Finishing
Corporate Database Services
Final Product

10. Database and Geo-Information Subsystems
• Corporate Geo Database System
– Auxiliary and contextual information
– Cartographic management system
• Corporate AML Programs
– Main Map Production AML (ontology based)
– Auxiliary maps
– Satellite Key Interpretation Legend Generator
– Others
• Cartographic Names System
• Landsat TM Image Catalog

11. Atlas Cartographic Structure
• Printed maps, full color, paper size A3
• General Maps
• Index Maps
• Standard Image Maps at 1:1.000.000 scale

12. Cartographic Elements
Main Display Map Name
and ID
Index Map
References
Geographical
Grid
Auxiliary Information
Scale

13. Satellite Key Interpretation Legend Generator
Classification adapted from Anderson (1976) and CORINE (1993)

14. Auxiliary Maps & Diagrams

15. Auxiliary Maps & Diagrams

19. Future Developments
Metallogenic Atlas of South America (in progress)
Satellite Atlas version 2, 3 & 4 (under development)
Other SDI proyects (under development)

20. The Argentine Satellite Atlas for Geological and Geographical Studies is a high quality
cartographic product that could be developed by using a GIS technology and by integrating
geodata management and digital cartographic techniques.
Using automated cartographic procedures –similar to industrial production methods- it was
possible to create a cartographic product in a short time (7200 working hours/man) with
little human resources (two persons). Automated process also gives a much more consistent
way for cartographic error handling, facilitating map corrections.
The Argentine Satellite Atlas is a valuable reference document that facilitates the
comprehension and development of different regional studies of the country.
This project has allowed the creation of a technological basement and geoinformation
infrastructure, which will promote the development of new systematic products.
Conclusions
Good geospatial data structures and balanced work infraestructure
promote the efficient use and analysis of a huge amount of data!!!

21. SEGEMAR
Japan International Cooperation Agency
Geological Survey of Canada (MAP-GAC) - Vancouver
Acknowledgements