The Atlas of Switzerland as an Interactive Multimedia Atlas Information System

This chapter examines the transformation of the Atlas of Switzerland from a conventional national atlas into an interactive multimedia atlas information system. Classical national atlases, organized as fixed sequences of nationwide thematic maps, no longer adequately support specialized thematic inquiry, cross-theme relationships, frequent updating, or the diverse needs of modern users. The proposed new edition therefore adopts a dual structure combining a printed atlas with a multimedia component. Both parts cover six common thematic groups—international relations; natural space and environment; population and society; economy; infrastructure and traffic; and culture and politics—and are intended for publication in German, French, Italian, and English. The printed component provides authoritative commentary, standardized nationwide overviews, and carefully designed maps emphasizing conditions and processes of lasting relevance. The multimedia component complements it through exploration, interaction, analysis, dynamic presentation, and more regular updating, serving both educated non-specialists and domain experts. The central conceptual contribution is the “intelligent map,” through which cartography, GIS, and multimedia are integrated into a specialized mapping interface rather than a mere collection of prerecorded, hyperlinked maps. Maps can be scaled and scrolled within appropriate limits, with their level of detail, generalization, and symbolization adapted to the selected scale. Users can query and search map objects, activate or deactivate layers, modify classifications, colors, and symbols, and generate thematic representations from underlying data. Expert users receive additional freedom to alter author-defined settings, while predefined configurations preserve cartographic quality for general users. Animations support the comparison of spatial and temporal processes, and digital elevation models enable realistic terrain visualization and three-dimensional exploration. Images, graphics, sound, image sequences, and film extend the available forms of information, while Internet connectivity offers a potential mechanism for updates and maps concerning current events. Technically, the project found that neither existing GIS and mapping packages nor general multimedia authoring systems could independently satisfy its requirements. Macromedia Director was therefore selected for its authoring functions, object-oriented scripting, open architecture, cross-platform development, license-free runtime, and support for relevant input formats. Its limitations in vector-data import, map attributes, dynamic graphic representation, and navigation through large images were addressed through purpose-built C and C++ extensions. The developers also designed a versatile multimedia map-file format supporting searchable attributes, layer management, anti-aliased line drawing, and dynamically changeable line styles. Atlas content is organized into separate multilingual components, while language-independent images and scripts are shared. Most maps are virtual: they are generated on demand from map elements, layers, and data rather than stored as finished graphics. Four major Xtra modules handle thematic-map creation, multilayer display, digital elevation-model visualization and manipulation, and data analysis and classification. The chapter concludes that a fully featured interactive atlas is best realized by combining commercial authoring software with customized cartographic modules. It advocates a standard multimedia map-file format and reusable plug-ins to improve future interactive mapping. A preliminary educational edition, containing more than fifty mainly census-based themes and three-dimensional topography, is planned. More broadly, the project anticipates increasing convergence between GIS and multimedia, allowing national atlases to evolve from static presentation products into accessible, analytically capable spatial information systems.