Most Canadians were first introduced to their country as school children through their Atlas of Canada. The big, pale pink land mass that was identified as Canada in printed books has now emerged in digital format with free online access -- and every colour under the sun.

This year, Atlas of Canada celebrates its 100th anniversary with a commitment "to provide the most interesting, dynamic and comprehensive collection of maps and related information about Canada available anywhere on the Internet, with effective and intuitive tools for users to access them."

The First Edition of the Atlas was published in 1906 when Canada was a nation of 7 million, 70 percent of whom lived in small towns and rural areas. The Sixth Edition, launched on the Internet in 1999, was one of the world's first electronic online atlases.

The 2006 edition represents a departure from the paper map to a dynamic collection of interactive maps, graphics, images and multimedia resources. Atlas renderings, based on Web Map Service (WMS) software, are no longer maps in the traditional sense of the word, instead they are gif files which integrate and overlay data and layers from diverse sources. For instance, digital topographic maps draw on over 13,000 individual maps. Although printed versions are accurate up to the time of printing, digital maps are continually and automatically revised as new source information is available.

One Atlas anniversary project involved the recent release of the latest generation of topographical maps for all of Canada. Digital Toporama maps represent free access to the National Topographic System in an easy-to-use mapping tool. Maps depict, in detail, ground relief (landforms and terrain), drainage (lakes and rivers), forest cover, administrative areas, populated areas, transportation routes and facilities (including roads and railways), and other constructed features.

A 1/50,000 scale topographic map, which covers an area approximately 1000 square kilometres, accurately shows hills, valleys, lakes, rivers, streams, rapids, portages, trails and wooded areas as well as major, secondary and side roads and all man-made features including buildings, power lines and dams. This scale is useful for governments, businesses and consumers in varied applications:

• Disaster prevention, environmental management and emergency relief such as flood control and forest fire control

• Development and land use such as real estate planning, development of natural resources, environmental issues, right-of-way, highway planning and depiction of crop areas.

• Recreational activities such as cycling, canoeing, snowmobiling, fishing, camping and hiking

• Communication projects, including directions for visitors.

A 1/250,000 scale topographic map provides a detailed overview of a large area. These maps cover the same area of land as sixteen 1/50,000 scale maps or an area approximately the size of Prince Edward Island.

Here's some how-to ideas for Toporama maps:

• Explore Topographic Maps

• Search for Names -- city, town, lake or other feature etc., if necessary.

• Use Topographic Maps using word processing or drawing/image software, select an image, copy it, and paste it into your desk application or copy it to disk. Maps may be modified. For instance, Toporama has applications in geography and mapping as a background map to which other information can be added.

• Topographic Mapping Tool Help, just in case.

The Canada Map Office no longer distributes printed maps directly to the public, but uses a dealer network available through the Yellow Pages.

Those interested in Digital Topographic Data have four sources to search:

1. Topographic: National Resources Canada's Centre for Topographic Information is responsible for the acquisition, management and dissemination of topographic information, including free Toporama maps.

2. Quality, free geospatial information with unrestricted use -- GeoBase is a federal, provincial and territorial government initiative "to ensure the provision of, and access to, a common, up-to-date and maintained base of quality geospatial data for all of Canada." For example, almost 1.1 million kilometres of the national road network, spanning all Canadian provinces and territories, are available for free downloading.

3. Data for purchase -- The National Topographic Database is a digital database for the entire Canadian landmass under themes which include Hydrography, Vegetation, Power Network and Manmade Features.

4. Free geospatial data -- GeoGratis is a web and file transfer protocol (ftp) site that distributes geospatial data of Canada to a wide variety of clients familiar with geographic information systems (GIS) image analysis or desktop graphics.

Published: March 14, 2006

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Futurist and Strategist PJ Wade is "The Catalyst" - intent on "Challenging The Best to Become Even Better." PJ earned this title by translating the dynamic impact of Boomers and their multi-generation families into relevant insights that start people thinking and taking action—in business and in life. Author of 8 books and more than 1800 published articles, PJ encourages individuals to become their own futurist. PJ writes and speaks about the insight, knowledge and solid decision-making skills that professionals and their clients need to live and work in this vortex of change. For instance, since PJ knows that home is headquarters for the new decades-long "unretirement," she wrote the popular book "Reverse Mortgages: Best Friend, Worst Enemy...Your Choice!", which is filled with suggestions and cautions on protecting, building and managing home equity. Her new business book, "What's Your Point?: Cut The Crap, Hit The Mark & Stick!" will be published in 2012. As The Catalyst, PJ provides strategic communication, client appreciation and advanced education services to the financial, tourism, lifestyle and service sectors - and the clients they serve. A frequently-quoted financial and business commentator, PJ is a thought-provoking strategic speaker who offers practical, real-life suggestions on leaving "the box" behind and embracing Forward Thinking - a talent she regularly demonstrates in this column. For more on keynotes, blogs, books and information on a range of 21st-Century topics, visit TheCatalyst.com.