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Web-based GIS
Exploring the
Geography
Network Canada
Exploring the Geography Network Canada
The convergence of the Internet and GIS is facilitating data sharing and distribution to a degree that was
unimaginable a few years ago. In the past you would have had to set up a high-end desktop computer, install the
GIS software, and obtain the necessary data before you could even begin to work with GIS. Advances in the
Internet and GIS are making maps and data increasingly available to a wider audience via the World Wide Web.
ESRI’s ArcIMS provides the foundation for disseminating high-end GIS and mapping services via the Internet.
ArcIMS revolutionizes the way users can access and interact with Internet mapping and GIS data by delivering
distributed GIS to the desktop. It enables users to simultaneously access data and images for display, query, and
analysis, in an easy-to-use web browser.
This exercise is deigned to introduce you to the Geography Network Canada, an online resource for finding and
sharing Canadian geographic content including maps and data from many of our country's leading providers. The
Geography Network Canada is powered by ArcIMS.
You can begin exploring GIS right away because all you need to do this exercise is your web browser!
PART A – Accessing the Geography Network Canada
1. Logon to the Internet and open your web browser (we prefer Internet Explorer but Netscape v4.7 or higher will
work as well).
2. In the address bar, type the following URL: www.geographynetwork.ca
Note: Make sure to allow your pop-ups to appear. In Internet Explorer, Click Tools > Pop-up blocker> Turn off
Pop-up Blocker
©2007 ESRI Canada ● Schools and Libraries Program
12 Concorde Place, Suite 900 ● Toronto, Ontario, M3C 3R8● Tel: (416) 441-6035 ● Fax: (416) 441-6838
Email: k-12@esricanada.com ● World Wide Web: http://k12.esricanada.com
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3.
Web-based GIS
Exploring the
Geography
Network Canada
Once you see the Geography Network Canada homepage, click the maps tab near the top of the page.
A map service is a "live" map that is published over the Internet. The map content and geographic coverage are
defined by the map publisher. A map service can contain one or more data layers (e.g., water bodies, street lines,
city points) depending on the purpose of the map.
4. Next, click on Live Map Services so that you can see the list of live maps available on the website.
5. Read a bit about Map Services and then scroll down the list of available services until you see five titles that
begin with ArcVoyager, covering several themes about Canada (population, physical environment, climate,
ethnicity, and agriculture). These are the maps you will explore today.
PART B – Exploring Canada
1. The first map service you are going to take a look at is ArcVoyager Canada's Population. Click this map
service title (it’s a link).
2. A new window titled metadata explorer will open, and you will see details about this map service. Read
through the details, paying particular attention to the section called Content Summary.
©2007 ESRI Canada ● Schools and Libraries Program
12 Concorde Place, Suite 900 ● Toronto, Ontario, M3C 3R8● Tel: (416) 441-6035 ● Fax: (416) 441-6838
Email: k-12@esricanada.com ● World Wide Web: http://k12.esricanada.com
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Web-based GIS
Exploring the
Geography
Network Canada
3. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the View Map option.
4. A thematic map of Canada will appear with a detailed legend on the left side of the screen.
5. Take some time to look over the map and legend. Use the tools available at the top of the page to explore it.
Notice: When you zoom into an area, the legend changes providing more detailed information. For example, the
province boundaries will become CSDs (Census Subdivisions).
6. Click on the Details Tab and click on the other options available (View Coverage Area and View Full
Metadata).
7. When you are done exploring the ArcVoyager’s Canada Population map, go to the Browse tab to explore
another ArcVoyager Canada map.
8. Under Categories (on the left side of the window) click ArcVoyager. Select another map you would like to
explore.
©2007 ESRI Canada ● Schools and Libraries Program
12 Concorde Place, Suite 900 ● Toronto, Ontario, M3C 3R8● Tel: (416) 441-6035 ● Fax: (416) 441-6838
Email: k-12@esricanada.com ● World Wide Web: http://k12.esricanada.com
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Web-based GIS
Exploring the
Geography
Network Canada
PART C– Using ArcExplorer Web
ArcExplorer Web is a custom mapping application that lets you view one or multiple map services in your Web
browser. You can also save the maps you create and include links to these maps on your Web site. Click Learn
More in the ArcExplorer Web tab to read more about this application.
1. Return to your browser window with the geography network Canada website
opened. If you have closed it
open a new browser and go to the geography network website.
2. Select Make a Map, next launch ArcExplorer Web.
Note: Make sure to allow your pop-ups to appear. In Internet Explorer, Click
Tools > Pop-up blocker> Turn off Pop-up Blocker
3. Make sure the services from the Geography Network is selected and then
click OK.
4. In the following window, type in Canada under Choose content type and click Search.
©2007 ESRI Canada ● Schools and Libraries Program
12 Concorde Place, Suite 900 ● Toronto, Ontario, M3C 3R8● Tel: (416) 441-6035 ● Fax: (416) 441-6838
Email: k-12@esricanada.com ● World Wide Web: http://k12.esricanada.com
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Web-based GIS
Exploring the
Geography
Network Canada
5. A list of records will appear. Scroll down the list and select ArcVoyager Canada’s Climate.
6. Click Add to ArcExplorer Web. This will bring up the map.
Note: If the map does not appear at first, click the Full Extent
button.
7. Take a look at the map and the map layers.
8. Click on the Legend button on the left side of the screen to view the legend.
9. Close the legend when you are done.
10. Let’s change the map. Uncheck the Annual Mean Temperature layer and check the Total Snow layer. Then
click Refresh Map.
11. A new map will appear with the total snow fall in Canada. Click the Legend button to view the legend.
©2007 ESRI Canada ● Schools and Libraries Program
12 Concorde Place, Suite 900 ● Toronto, Ontario, M3C 3R8● Tel: (416) 441-6035 ● Fax: (416) 441-6838
Email: k-12@esricanada.com ● World Wide Web: http://k12.esricanada.com
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Web-based GIS
Exploring the
Geography
Network Canada
Where are the areas of heavy snowfall in Canada? What factors do you think contribute to the patterns of heavy
snowfall?
12. Take some time to explore the tools available located on the top of the screen.
For example, use the Zoom In
button to get a closer look at the map.
13. Explore the other layers available to you (like in step 10).
Have fun exploring these map services and try to think of some ways you could incorporate this website into other
classroom lessons!
©2007 ESRI Canada ● Schools and Libraries Program
12 Concorde Place, Suite 900 ● Toronto, Ontario, M3C 3R8● Tel: (416) 441-6035 ● Fax: (416) 441-6838
Email: k-12@esricanada.com ● World Wide Web: http://k12.esricanada.com