6 cool Canadian story maps to check out
Esri recently made story map templates available on ArcGIS Online and began to empower users to tell compelling stories about the world around them using a map medium. These templates, which include Map Tour, Storytelling Compare and Storytelling Swipe, introduced new and interactive features that allow maps to tell the full story. Here are six cool Canadian story map examples.
Esri recently made story map templates available on ArcGIS Online and began to empower users to tell compelling stories about the world around them using a map medium. These templates, which include Map Tour, Storytelling Compare and Storytelling Swipe, introduced new and interactive features that allow maps to tell the full story.
Intuitive to implement and free to use with an ArcGIS Online account, story map templates expand the use of GIS to graphic designers and journalists, Web developers, and anyone with a basic familiarity with Web and mobile platforms. They can serve not only the general public, but also within communities and organizations.
In the short time that the templates have been available, we’ve seen a wealth of incredible story maps pop up across the globe from many different industries. Esri even created a story map to capture some of these story maps!
Here are just a handful of cool Canadian examples to check out:
Figure 1.1: Canada from the International Space Station. Based on a Web map created by Dave MacLean of the Centre of Geographic Sciences (COGS), this story map depicts Cmdr. Chris Hadfield’s pictures and tweets from the International Space Station.
Figure 1.2: Québec Photo Radar/Red-Light Cameras 2009-2013. In Québec, a photo radar station just before the Atwater exit is responsible for almost half of the $33 million in photo-radar and red-light-camera ticket revenue collected since the technology arrived on the province’s roadways in 2009. Andy Riga of the Montreal Gazette created this interactive story map to show where the photos radars are located and list total fines and amounts collected in each area.
Figure 1.3: Simcoe County Trail Maps. Simcoe County is home to some of the most historic and longest trails in Canada, offering endless opportunities to experience the province’s beauty and heritage. To offer information about these trails, the Country created story maps that include breathtaking photos. Some of the photos are interactive, allowing you to pan and zoom around. For example, check out image seven in the Ardagh Bluffs Loop Trail map.
Figure 1.4: Nova Scotia Elections Map. Leveraging the Storytelling Swipe template, our own Community Maps team created this interactive map to compare results from the province’s 2009 election to recent election results. Read how the map was created.
Figure 1.5: City of St. Albert Art in Public Places. The City of St. Albert, Alberta boasts a Public Places Art Collection that creates engaging and surprising spaces for community activity and interaction. Through murals, sculptures, art benches and more, everyone has the opportunity to experience art as part of their everyday life in St. Albert. This story map depicts this unique and innovative public art through a series of visually stunning photos.
Figure 1.6: Ottawa Streetcars Map. This story map offers a brief historical overview of Ottawa's streetcar system operating between 1891 and 1959. The map contains a number of pop up features as well as a pie chart that breaks down the distribution of ridership between rail lines. Check out more story maps from Entertain Maps.
For tips and tricks on creating powerful story maps, check out these story maps best practices. Stay up-to-date with the latest news by following the Storytelling with Maps blog.
I hope these great story maps have provided you with some inspiration to get started on your own! Let us know about other cool story maps that you have created or seen.