Lab 2 (GIS I)

LAB 2

By: Melissa Hackenmueller 

The main objective of this lab was to learn how to utilized data from the U.S. Census Bureau to form maps on ArcGIS. Some other objectives were to learn how to download a shape file form the U.S. Census Bureau and learn how to join features classes. One of the newest obtained skills that was used for this lab was to choose a data set of choice of use it to build a map. Finally, both maps had to be organized and managed so they would be cartographically pleasing. Things like scales, legends, and titles also had to to added. 

The skills needed for this lab were a collection of things learned from the beginning of the course. The newest skill that needed to be achieved was how to search through the Census website to find data that was useful and that was wanted. Another main skill that needed to be obtained was how to download, save, and then upload these files into ArcMap properly. The data needed to be in the right format in order for it to be transferred correctly. The skill of joining the same feature class from two different data sets was also used. This helped the data to be more accessible but needed to be done correctly. Another skill was how to use the symbology tab to to create quantitative data maps that represented the data well. One of the last and most important skills needed in this lab was the skills to make the maps cartographically pleasing. This means to make them easy to read and pleasing to the eye. A few things were done to achieve this. The page layout was switched to landscape in order to make the maps larger and easier to see and the legends had to have proper titles in order for every reader to understand them. All of these skills together made the maps a success. 

The results of my maps were very similar. The population distribution map showed where most of the population was concentrated within the state of Wisconsin. The most concentrated part of the state was the south eastern counties. There is also various populated counties scattered relatively evenly throughout the state. The second map was a map of the percentage of males in the population. This was very similar to the first map, which makes logical sense. The most interesting part of the results was to stop and try to learn why the populous areas were so populous. For example, the far northwestern county has a relatively high population. This is because it is so close to the Minnesota city of Duluth. The questions that the results of this map brought up are a good thing to think about as you observe the map below. 

Source: U.S. Census Bureau 

Data Year: 2010