Yu Dong-mei: Geographic Information Engineering Doctor graduate student in WuHan University, Associate professor in QingDao University Normal College geography department, be engaged in primarily the teaching work and research of Survey and Cartography, Remote Sensing and Environmental Protection etc. 
Email: dongmeiyu@hotmail.com, qinyudongmei@126.com

STUDY ON THE EDITING AND DESIGN OF “NATIONAL WOMEN ATLAS”

Dongmei Yu12 Rentao Huang1 Junjun Qiao1 Yan Guan1 Liguo Zhang2 Luohai Dong3  
(1.	WuHan University, China, 2. QingDao University, China, 3. Institute of Oceanography CAS  China ) 
Email: dongmeiyu@hotmail.com

ABSTRACT
This paper is aimed to analyze the characteristic of women feature and key characteristics of the women map. The goal, design guiding ideology, topic selection, over all design of the "National Women Atlas" is expound. Methods of map design and map editing as well as producing technology and procedure are discussed. The "National Women Atlas" could reflect the change of Chinese women in society status reveal living statement and their contribution for society. It would be an important resource for researches associated with Chinese women issues, and an ideal way for public to find out the social status and change of women in China.
Key words: women’s map, thematic map, representing method of map, symbol system design

INTRODUCTION
China is a big country of population in the world, while woman's population is also large. Chinese women play an important role in society development and economy growth in China. Chinese government always pays great attention to development issues of women. ICA regards gender and cartography as important issue and has established commission for research. After the Beijing World Conference of Women convened in 1995, as the development and achievement of national gender statistical data, as the development of theory and method as well as statistical system, we proposed to compile National Women Atlas. Through the "National Women Atlas ", it could reflect the change of Chinese women in society status reveal living statement and contribution for society. It would be an important resource for researches associated with Chinese women issues. It could also be an ideal way for public to find out the status and change of women in China. The "National Women Atlas" would play an important role for women to know women themselves, to enable the government and the world to know Chinese women.
The "National Woman Atlas" is designed to be a thematic atlas, which reflects comprehensive change both in space and time of our Chinese women in all aspects. It would contain each aspect of the women studies, including politics, economy, education, culture, health, legal system, environment, national minority women and development of women. It would be an important document to reflect women status and developing course in China and a synthetic database for women issue researches. To some extent, the "National Women Atlas" is an innovative of mapping development in China and has significant meaning for history of women study. It is the first women atlas in Chinese mapping history.
The "National Women Atlas" will be the basis for "Electronic National Women Atlas" in future. It would be helpful for government and women administration to build digital information system, and as the foundation to build women database and "digital women" system.
1. PURPOSE, CHARACTER AND DESIGN GUIDING IDEOLOGY OF THE NATIONAL WOMEN ATLAS
The "National Woman Atlas" is a thematic atlas that focuses on woman as the subject. It is with every effort to reflect comprehensive aspects of woman in participating in government and political issues, employment, education, marriage, family, raising child, health, legal system, environment, population, intermediary, religion, literature, history, folk custom and ethical character. The atlas includes 10 chapters, which is composed of about 80 maps and photographs, diagrams as well as explaining. It is a synthetic atlas and map data base.
1.1	Target and allocation of "National Women Atlas"
The target of "National Women Atlas" is to comprehensively and systematically reflect women in the field of political, economy, educating culture, health, legal system, environment, developing issue and so on. It mainly provides information for governmental organizations, policy makers, research institutions education and training agencies as well as other organizations in all professionals, which are associated with women. It is the reference and basis for leaders, women research institutions and educational organizations, as well as other women organizations. It could be also used by public that are interested in current situation of women in China.
According to this target, the "National Women Atlas" has the characteristic as national large scale document. It not only contributes to use for reference in all aspect, but also has function of showing women status in China. Consequently, the "National Woman Atlas" is required to be rich in content, well designed, exquisite solemn and carried out by advanced technology. Therefore, it would be an atlas with high quality and good taste.
1.2 Format and size of "National Woman Atlas"
According to the standard of GB/T788-1999 "PRC book, magazine format and their breadth dimension ", the paper size of 890 X 1240mm and A4 formats (210 X 297 mm) is adopted to the "National Woman Atlas" The expanded size of each map is 420 X 297 mm, In total, there are 80 maps arranged in 176 pages. It is composed of 11 units for printing paper. We adopt two kinds of binding and layout, which are the hard-face hardback and the universally the soft paste to hold.
1.3 The design guiding ideology of the "National Women Atlas"
① The National Women Atlas should reflect the overall current situation of women in China. Therefore, topics should be comprehensive and systematic. And the arrangement of content should be scientific and logically. The atlas would have unified designs, standard generalization level and unified map decoration style.
②The National Women Atlas is an representative illusion  of women in China. The contents are not only acquired to be scientific and systematic, but also could reflect the characteristic of our national women and particularity in some aspects. At the same time, it could illustrate women in participating in politics, employment, economic status and effect, health care of women, birth control, environmental conservation national minority women and women developing issue etc.
③The National Women Atlas is designed to be attractive with fine decoration and modern sense . It is rich in content, and making fully use of data. The maps are designed in various formats. Map elements would be arranged mixed with statistical charts, graphs illustrations and illustrate photos, which could combines the advantages of them. Thus it could better reveal the meaning of maps and strongly improve the legibility of the map.
Based on the frame of unified map format, adopting various map layout method could enhance the utilization of space and improve information transform efficiency, while providing a lively form. At the same time, it could achieve the unique style of "National Women Atlas", demonstrating women's unique characteristics.
④To improve the legibility and most important, the artistic quality of the " National Women Atlas ", the design of thematic maps is simple and striking, but with various representation methods. The design of graphic symbol system is aimed to be simple, legible with clear meaning, vivid and consistency color.
⑤Digital mapping technology is adopted to improve quality of map design and map making with drawing and design function available in graphics software.
2. THE FRAME OF THE ATLAS AND SELECTION OF TOPICS
The National Women Atlas is composed of seven chapters:
(1) General developing situation of Women; 
(2) Woman and politics; 
(3) Woman and economy; 
(4) Women and education and culture; 
(5) Women and healthy 
(6) Women and law; 
(7) Women and environment 
The "National Woman Atlas" is aimed to reflect the distributions and relations of women in all aspects, the comparison among provinces and cities in China, and their advantages. The statistical data used are from 1949 to 2004. It is to present the latest statistical data and scientific research results to guarantee the contents of the “National Women Atlas” is complete, reliable, accurate and scientific. The details of selected topics are as shown in Appendices. (Leave out)
3. DESIGN AND EDITING OF NATIONAL WOMEN ATLAS
The National Women Atlas is a thematic atlas, which is composed of many kinds of map types. Thus, various design and editing methods, which could distinguish different topics, are required to represent achievements of studies and researches that related to women. In the aspect of editing, statistical charts, graphs, sketch maps, photographs and illustrations that related the each main topic are required to enrich the contents of the atlas, to fit maps and words, and to prettify the representations.
3.1 Series geography base map
3.1.1 Geographic map at national scale
The geographic map adopts conic equivalent projection with two standard parallels. The maximum scale is 1:15000000. According to the need of map content, geographic map scale of 1:20000000, 1:25000000, 1:300000 could be selected and applied. The size of fictitious graticule is  10°×10°when the scale of map is 1:15000000 or 1:20000000, while it is 15°×15°for map scale are 1:25000000 and 1:300000.
Main rivers, main roads, resident areas and the national and political boundaries are showed in geographic maps at the two former kinds of scale. Hill shading method with monochromatic color is to be applied to reflect mountain system, which makes the distributions more distinct. For the two later kinds of scale maps, only represent the main rivers, national and political boundaries, and main residential areas.
3.1.2 Geographic map at global scale 
Main administrative regions, rivers, continental and national boundaries are supposed to be showed on geographic map at global scale.
3.2 Content and arrangement of thematic maps
①Women maps are related to many professional fields and subjects, Its data format are various. To express thematic contents properly and easily understood, preparation for editing should be carried out carefully Firstly, all the data and references should be checked with and analyzed. Secondly, interviews as well as discussions should be carried out with professionals. These steps ensure proper use of data and better design of maps based on sufficient data analysis. 3.2 Content and arrangement of thematic maps
②Map sheet design is carried out on the basis of mastering all the thematic materials, including maps, author manuscripts, statistical data , words and photographs that related to the topic). Primary map, secondary map and basic map scale should be determined firstly. The map design is aimed to integrate different map elements, charts, graphs, photos and illustrations on map sheet, and propose designed draft.
③After examination, improvement and modifying of the design draft, each single component of the map sheet is compiled according to the national map design standard, to ensure the coherence and harmony of the atlas.
④Illustration words is required to be strong related to the main topic in each sheet. There is no length limited of the illustration. Long paragraph could be departed into several sub paragraphs as complementary aligning around corresponding map element, which makes it is easier for reading.
4. METHODS, PRODUCING TECHNOLOGY AND PROCEDURE
4.1 The "National Woman Atlas" adopts digital mapping technology 
Softwares intending to be used are as follows:
●ArcGIS software is used to analyze thematic data 
●CorelDraw software is used to draw, edit and manage the thematic maps 
●Erdas software is used for processing satellite imagery
●Photoshop software is used for processing Carto-Shading map and photographs. 
●Carto-Shading software is used to automatically generate shading map. It is a professional software that developed by the School of environmental and resources science in Wuhan University.
Regulation for digital mapping operation is established to minimize errors in editing. Different features are required to be managed by layers. Data format and processing steps for different features is also established. Training on software operation would be implemented to avoid and reduce errors.
4.2 Test of draft
Test of draft is an important procedure for quality control. Based on draft maps, the design of symbol system and the compiling methods of the map sheet could be modified and updated. The mainly items are:
①Design of map frame
②Series scale geographic map and allocation tests 
③Design of symbol system 
④Design of map sheet and decorating methods
4.3 symbol system, design of map frame and standard of design and editing
According to test results, final symbol system, design of map frame and standard of design and editing are determined as basis and instructions during design procedure.
Designs of symbol system mainly include the form, dimension, color, direction and net lines. Design of map frame embody the woman characteristics, give first place to the map, organic combination of characters, image, diagram, photograph and so on. Standard of design and editing is clear standard and definite of various design indexes.
4.4 Quality control
To ensure high quality of the "National Women Atlas", there is strict examination of contents respond by examiner committee, while editors are in charge of quality control of map design. The series geographic maps and maps containing national boundaries should be delivered to the national center of map technology for examination.
4.5 Publish and Printing 
High standard printing material and handicraft are implied to achieve high quality of the "National Women Atlas". It adopts 157 grams imported glorify printing paper and light printing ink. The "National Women Atlas" adopts hardcover bookbinding with solemn and beautiful cover design, which could exhibit the characteristics of the times. The atlas material selecting is high-grade and mounting smooth, does not become deformed. The lock line of book core irrigated with adhesive binding，which could be fully expanded. The gutter slotting is designed to be 0.5 mm, and does not exceed 1.0 mm as maximum.
4.6 Producing Technology and Procedure
Producing Technology and Procedure of "National Woman Atlas" is as follows fig1.
5. DATA COLLECTION
Rich and accurate database is the basis of the "National Woman Atlas". Data collection is carried out from national administrate organizations, research institutes and other agencies. Extensive, comprehensive and detailed data are acquired. The statistical date is up to date of December, 2005.
It is mainly composed of professional data and statistical yearbook. Since the database resources of the women map is diverse, and related to a lot of organizations, there are several strategies as following:
5.1 Detailed data list is pre-developed.
According to the selection of topics of the atlas, separate data list for each topic is developed and discussed with relative organizations. Map editor should know professional knowledge relevant about special subject, data property, characteristic, index system and their concrete import.
5.2 During data collection phase, as much as data are preferred to ensure alternatives during map design.
5.3 There should be data both at national and provincial level.
5.4 Combination data collection at regional and local level for prior areas, representative areas and projects.
5.5 Data which could reflect women characteristic, advantages and latest data are give priority.
5.6 Data collection of statistical data, photographs and texts are as important as author manuscript, such as distributing maps, statistical charts and sketch maps.
6. EXAMPLES OF ESTABLISHED MAP
(The picture document occupy very big. Leave out)

Draft design

Draft design

Data Collection and Analysis

Standard for Map design and editing

Standard for Map design and editing

Total design

Map data

Statistical data

Texts 

Photograph data

Fundamental data

Supplementary data 

DEM CartoShading

Other data

Geography map at Global Scale

Geography map at National Scale

Map sheet design

Map sheet design

Map compilation

Map compilation

Color gushes manuscript map

Examination and verify

Color gushes manuscript map

Integration

Draft Printing

Printing and binding

Atlas product 

Draft
test

Draft test

fig1: Producing Technology and
Procedure of "National Woman
 Atlas"
REFERENCES
1.YuDongmei DongLuohai ZhangLiguo, “The Tentative Idea “Women s Atlas of The Peoples Republic of China”. The 20th International Cartographic Conference Proceeding. Beijing, China, 6- 12 August 2001. Hosted by ICA, ISBN:0-958-46093-0
2. YuDongmei DongLuohai ZhangLiguo, “The Nesessary and Existing Problems and Solution on Compiling “National Women Atlas”. Proceedings of the 21st International Cartographic Conference, Durban, South Africa, 10- 16 August 2003. Hosted by ICA, ISBN: 0-958-46093-0 
3. YuDongmei, HuangRentao ZhangLiguo Danglina DongLuohai, “Study on the Indicating Method of Women’s Map”, XXII International Cartographic Conferenc, A Coruña, Spain, 11-16 July 2005 Hosted by: ICA-ACI, ISBN: 0-958-46093-0 
4. Yu Dongmei, Chang Liguo, “Study on Map Group Design of Regional Synthesize Atlas”. Journal of Cartography. 2000.3. China Maps Press, ISSN 1000-8128.  
5. Investigation Team of China’s Women’s Social Status, “Survey on Women’s Status in China.” Women’s Publishing Houser of China, 1993. 
6. National Statistics Bureau, “Statistics of China Society’s Men and Women--Event and Data”. (2004). Statistics Publishing House in China, 2004. 
7. The Chinese Academy of Science, National Environment Protection Bureau. “Population Environment and Sustainable Development Atlas of the People’s Republic of China”. Science Publishing Press. 2000. 
8. Chang Liguo, ZhaoShumei, “Cartography” (Second Edition) Higher Education Press. 1990 
9. HuangRentao MaChenyan PangXiaoping, “Thematic Maps Establishment”, 2000. WuHan University Press, ISBN: 7-307-04035-2
10. YuDongmei, The Necessity and Feasibility Analysis and The Tentative Idea on Compiling “National Women Atlas”, Collection of Women's Studies, 2004.3 Women’Studies Institute China Press, ISBN: BM1186