Lab 4 ArcGIS Terms

Map Document- A “Map Document” is a non-text document, containing a map of some sort, where ArcGIS software is used to create it.

Table of Contents- This is not what most people expect a “table of contents” to be. In a book, the table of contents tell the reader ahead of time, what is contained within the pages of the book, such as chapter and title with page number. However, with ArcGIS softare that we are using in this Geography course, the table of contents tell us what is in the map that we have created on our own. And in the table of contents, we can at any time change what it says, by adding new data layers, renaming data, or creating new layers from whatever selections we have made.

Data Frame- This selection allows me to create new maps from the same window of the previous map, without having to open up another window for ArcGIS. For example, I can have one map of the United States population change from 1800-1900, and create a new “data frame” and from that new frame create another map of United Kingdom’s population change from 1800-1900.

Map Layer- This allows me to add on to the map that I am creating using the ArcGIS software. With the click of a button, I can add population change, show the location of public buildings, show the interstate highways around the US, etc. Literally hundreds of layers can be added to create the most elaborate map yet, although that file would be HUMONGOUS.

Attribute Table- This is a table of the details of a selected attribute such as rivers, lakes, highways, counties, cities, etc. If I were to open up an attribute table of volcanoes in Washington State and Oregon, then the table would display details such as name of volcano, elevation, type of volcano, and status. River attribute table in the United States would show state of origin, length, name, etc.