Web Atlases - Internet Atlas of Switzerland

Daniel Richard discusses Web-atlas design and mapping technologies through the Internet version of the multimedia Atlas of Switzerland, whose development began in 1996. He argues that an online atlas needs a clear structure integrating maps, illustrations, tables, and text. Comparing raster maps, vector maps, and GIS-based map servers, he weighs graphic quality against transmission speed, interactivity, plug-in requirements, and Java loading times, generally favouring raster maps until technologies can combine their quality with vector-map speed. Following layout tests, the Internet atlas adopted the multimedia atlas’s layout: a fixed six-frame interface containing navigation bars, a map window, and supplementary information windows. Its themes include natural space, society and politics, economy and transport, environment, and culture. JavaScript supports navigation, and individual raster maps are tested to select GIF or JPEG according to file size and image quality. Richard reports slow downloading and describes a Java-based vector mapping tool under development, allowing users to select statistical data, a background map, and a diagram type to generate thematic maps. He presents the atlas as an experiment in integrating different map types with supporting information, while leaving future improvements dependent on developing mapping technologies and Internet speeds.