Cartographic Design and Processing of Originally Printed Historical Maps for Their Presentation on the Web

Abstract

On the example of our project on the creation of the historical web atlas on Czech history, we introduce the process of adapting originally printed historical maps for their presentation in the web environment, which overcomes the shortcomings of standard approaches in similar projects based on printed predecessors published only as zoomable scanned analogues or default GIS maps. To simplify the originally complex map and to increase the information potential of the maps, we propose seven different types of additional map functionality according to the specific characteristics of the original map content. In addition, we present a set of rules, principles, recommendations, and methods for the cartographic design and processing of originally printed historical maps that should be considered when they are prepared for presentation on the web, including the description of the specific visualisation processes for the proposed types of map functionality. The proposed complex methodology can be applied to similar projects focused on the conversion of originally printed maps to the web and may contribute to improving the quality of the visualisation and presentation of historical maps on the web in general.