• Mashup Visualization with Google Earth and GIS
  • 1.1. Introduction to KML and Google Earth
    • 1.1.1. KML Examples
    • 1.1.2. KML Geometry
    • 1.1.3. KML Symbolism
    • 1.1.4. KML Cartography
    • 1.1.5. KML Visualization
  • 1.2. GIS and Google Earth
  • 1.3. Glossary
  • 1.4. Bibliography

1.1. Introduction to KML and Google Earth

In this session we will learn about the Keyhole Markup Language (KML ) through which geographic data can be described for use in Google Earth .

We will use KML to visualize data of two types from different sources :

• population data from the US Census 2000 and subsequent estimates - this is formally recorded in a 'top down' manner and areal in nature
• photographic information that has been informally contributed and georeferenced by the Flickr user community - this is informally contributed in a 'bottom up' manner, point-based and has a temporal element

We will consider some relevant issues in Geographic Information Science and Cartography and use them to create interactive graphics for visualization through which these data sets can be analysed and compared.

Learning Outcomes

On completing this session you will be able to do the following :

• specify spatial entities in KML for visualization in Google Earth
• encode cartographic symbolism and interactions in KML for visualization in Google Earth

Update: 14th October 2008 (eLML) - Contact - Print (PDF) - ©