Every week, the Map of the Week highlights a map that is composed of one or several map layer(s) available from the European Atlas of the Seas’ catalogue which includes over 270 map layers covering a wide range of topics. We select the map’s topic according to recent news and events or upcoming events of interest. How do we create a map using different map layers? This is what we are looking into this week!
Below are the different steps to creating a map with multiple layers in the Atlas:
- Open the European Atlas of the Seas and click on the layers icon below or next to the magnifying glass icon in the toolbar.
- Select the basemap in the layers window. A basemap is the foundational layer and data that provides the overall visual and geographic context for a map or scene. It allows you to easily see where geographic features are located and understand the spatial relationships between them. [1] You can choose between several basemaps in the Atlas, including the EMODnet template, the Cities template or the Civil template. The EMODnet template is the EMODnet Bathymetry world base layer. Bathymetry refers to the depth of the ocean which reveals a fascinating seafloor topography of magnificent mountain ranges, trenches, volcanoes and canyons, hidden below the waves. Have a look at the different basemaps to see the different options.
- Select one or several map layers from the Atlas’s catalogue by clicking on the icon representing a magnifying glass in the toolbar. Click on ‘layers’, select the map layer(s) you wish to see by clicking on the related check boxes and close the search window.
- Click on the layers icon again to see the layers you have selected and click on ‘Legend’ to see the full legend of your map which will include the legends of all selected map layers.
Note that when you first open the Atlas, you will see the EMODnet template basemap and the map layer ‘Countries’. If you just wish to see the basemap, click on the layers icon, scroll down in the layers window and click on ‘Clear all layers’.
Easy, isn’t it? Give it a try! What topic do you wish to look at? Search for the related map layer(s) and create your map!
Wish to create a map layer with your own data? You can do this too with the Atlas’ tools referred to as ‘My Locations” and ‘My Notes’. Read the related article, watch the tutorial and create your map layers!
Any questions? Click on the smiley icon in the Atlas to complete the feedback form.
This basemap is provided by EMODnet.
The European Atlas of the Seas is powered by the European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet). Don’t miss the latest news, register for the monthly EMODnet News Digest.
[1] https://developers.arcgis.com/documentation/mapping-and-location-services/mapping/basemaps/