Geographic Information Systems: An Introduction, 3rd Edition

19.1 Introduction to Standards

Maps and other forms of geographical information constitute one of the world's oldest scientific fields and an area that has been the subject of standardization for many centuries. Long before digital methods came into use, it was generally accepted that the efficient interpretation and reading of maps was dependent on a uniform and congruous presentation. This has applied not least to sea charts, as a safe sea voyage was (and still is) based on being able to change to a new map sheet independent of regional and national borders.

The introduction of data-based methods over the past 20 to 30 years has made it even more apparent that the efficient use of geographical information is dependent on a uniform description of the data. A great many countries have therefore started work during the past 10 to 15 years on the development of national standards, especially for the exchange of digital geographical information between different computer systems. The objective is to allow the producer of data and the end user to interpret and understand the data in the same way. A standard will provide definition of data structures, data content, and rules that will:

• Increase mutual understanding of the geographic data among users
• Eliminate the technical problems of exchanging geographic data between different (geographical) information systems
• Increase integration, combination, and interoperability of geographical data and related information

Standardization can ...