Computer Graphics for Federal Planning in West-Germany

Abstract

To satisfy the cartographic requirements for spatial analysis, planning and forecast on the federal level in West Germany the Federal Research Institute for Regional Geography and Regional Planning established a system for computer-assisted production of thematic maps. Development priority was given to choropleth and graduated symbol maps as the most important mapping techniques to display spatial disparities. Other, less frequently used techniques, e. g. network display, surface representation, perspective drawings, etc., have also been implemented to provide additional aids for visualization, and to reduce the bottlenecks in the manual production process.