A common database for digital mapping and gis

The transition from the concept of traditional topographical mapping to the concept of a digital database from which graphical products are derived is discussed on the basis of the Survey of Israel’s experience. The need for redefinition of a map accuracy standard to a national digital database accuracy standard is presented. A unified feature coding system replaces symbol-based mapping as a solution to the needs of digital data dissemination and representation. Acquisition of digital data is seen as the optimal solution for loading the database, rather than any form of digitizing, for several reasons, perhaps the most important of which is the deteriorated quality of existing maps owing to frequent graphical revisions and the non-uniform mapping techniques. The national digital database is seen as not only serving the country’s mapping needs, but also as a source of information for spatial analysis.