Web Atlases - Internet Atlas of Switzerland

This article reviews the development, design principles, and technical implementation of Web atlases, using the Internet Atlas of Switzerland as a case study. It argues that an online atlas should not merely assemble a few maps and HTML pages, but should integrate maps, illustrations, tables, and explanatory text within a clear, coherent structure. The article compares three principal approaches to Web mapping: raster maps, vector maps, and GIS-based map servers. Raster formats such as GIF and JPEG are widely supported and can provide high graphic quality, although their file sizes may result in slow transmission. Vector maps offer smaller files, scalable display, and greater interactivity, but often depend on plug-ins or Java applets that introduce installation, loading, and compatibility constraints. GIS map servers provide database connectivity and current queryable information, yet may produce cartographically weak displays. Developed from 1996 onward, the Internet Atlas of Switzerland employs a fixed six-frame graphical interface with navigation bars, a map window, and supplementary windows for legends, texts, images, and other content. Its thematic coverage includes natural space, society and politics, economy and transport, environment, and culture. Raster maps are optimized individually as GIF or JPEG files, while JavaScript supports efficient navigation. A Java-based dynamic mapping tool is also being developed to generate interactive vector thematic maps from selected statistical data, backgrounds, and diagram types. The study concludes that no single technology fully reconciles transmission speed, visual quality, and interactivity. Raster maps remain valuable for high-quality presentation, whereas vector technologies offer substantial potential for dynamic mapping and future atlas development.