What is the difference between an image, a map and mapping data?
Though the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, an image, a map and mapping data are not the same thing. In a geographical information context: • An image is a ‘picture’, generally taken from above, of an area at a given point in time. Examples of images include aerial photographs or SPOT and Landsat satellite images. • A map is a portrayal of an area that is drawn to a selected scale and generally shows one of a limited number of features (for example, wetlands or vegetation). Traditionally maps are produced by interpreting imagery and other information combined with limited ground truthing, and classifying the features into discrete classes. While images can be interesting and useful, it is necessary to interpret imagery to provide the systematic and consistent information contained in a map that is required for natural resource planning and management. • Mapping data contains spatial information about the location and extent of mapped features, as well as descriptive attributes
