Map Server Instructions & Tips
Welcome to the Arkansas SBTDC's interactive Arkansas map server! This online tool allows you to view and create customized maps of Arkansas.
Here's a few tips to produce better Arkansas maps...
1) Select a Map Set
Click on one of the five category names at the top of the page to select the
base map set you wish to use. Example: If you are wanting census
statistics for your county, then choose "Census."
2) Select Boundaries:
You should next select boundary lines you would like drawn on your map.
Your base map already has some boundary layers drawn. The US map shows the state
lines, while all other maps show the Arkansas state and county boundary lines.
Some boundary lines, such as, census blocks, are not visible until you have
zoomed in closer. This enables your custom map to be quickly produced.
You select by clicking on the option name. You may select two or more
options by holding down the [Ctrl] key will clicking. You unselect an item by
holding down the [CTRL] key and clicking on a highlighted name.
3) Select Features:
Next, select the features (roads, rivers, etc.) that you would like added to
your map. The more features you add, the longer it will take for your map to be
produced. You should only select the features you really need.
5) Select Data:
Some map sets provide for display of thematic data. That is, regions of the
map are color coded to aid in interpreting data. For example, population data
might be displayed by shading various counties according to their population
densities. Light pink might represent a sparse population, while deep red
would indicate a dense population.
5) Select Names:
Would you like the county names, FIPS codes, or census identifiers displayed?
If so, now is the time to select the names you would like to have displayed on
your map. Unless you have zoomed in to an area, displaying labels will crowd
your map and make it difficult to read. The map server will also NOT display
labels when there is insufficient space or "collisions."
6) Select Zoom
Chances are, unless you are wanting a state or national map, you need to zoom in
to a particular county, city, or census area. You should select the amount of
zoom from the available options. You might start with a zoom of 2 or 4 until
you are familiar with zooming.
Clicking on the [Update Map] button redraws the map using the existing map
center as the new map center.
If you want to zoom in to your county or town, you'll be happy to learn that
the map is actually a large submit button itself! Clicking anywhere on the map
causes the map to be redrawn using the point of your cursor as the new map center.
8) Select Browse or Query
Selecting "Browse" causes a new map to be created when you click on either the
existing map or the [Update Map] button. This is the default mode.
Selecting "Query" causes the mapserver to perform a database query on the
map layers and within the map extent selected. A query does NOT return a map,
but rather a text page with data about each of the map layers selected. Some
selections return only data about the specific area (e.g., census tract) you
clicked in, while other selections display data for features found within a
certain radius (e.g., traffic counts) of where you clicked. You'll find this
feature useful when you want "the numbers" that go with your map for inclusion
in your business or marketing plans.
8) Saving Maps to Your Computer
Want to save your map or include it in your business or marketing plan?
"Right-clicking" on either the map or the text link below the map will result
in a short menu popping up. Simply choose "Save target as..." and you will be
asked by your computer where you want the map saved and under what name.
To add a saved map to your business or marketing plans, simply select "Insert",
"Picture", "From file..." on your word processors menu. Then, browse to the map
image you saved earlier and select it. Your word processor will add the map at
the current insertion point.
Hint: Don't forget to query your map and save or print the query results.
9) Map Specifications
For the map enthusiast, we have provided some basic map specifications
below your custom map.
Scale displays the current calculated scale of the map.
Center displays the latitude and longitude of the center of the current map in
decimal degrees (DD). Because all of the maps are west of the Prime Meridian in
England, all longitudes are negative numbers. Likewise, being north of the
equator, all latitudes are positive numbers. Hint: if you would like to find
the cooordinates of your home, locate its relative position on a map,
position the tip of your cursor on the spot, and click. The new center
coordinates are the coordinates or GeoCode of your home!
Extent displays coordinates of the the lower left and upper right corners of
the map in decimal degrees.
Layers lists the names of all layers currently selected and displayed.
Size displays the width and heigth of the map in pixels. This is handy
information if you plan to use the maps on a website.
Are you ready to play? We'll start you off with the Arkansas state and county boundaries. You get add the boundaries and features you want to see displayed...