Classwork: geoJSON

Honors Section
CSci 127
Spring 2018

GIS Data

We will be mapping and analyzing GIS data as the course progresses. There are several standard formats for mapping GIS data:

• Shapefiles (ERSI's ArcGIS)
• Keynote Markup Languange (KML)
• geoJSON

Here's an excellent summary & comparison of these formats.

Note: In Lab 9, we will introduce the Folium Python package that creates HTML maps. For the honors section, we will use additional features in folium for creating choropleth maps using geoJSON files.

github

We introduce github, the standard way to share and collaborate on code, in Lab 8. It also has a nice feature for quickly previewing geoJSON files. If you do not already have a github account, follow the directions in Lab 8 to set one up to use below (you can also submit the corresponding programming assignment on it early).

geoJSON

We will be primarily using geoJSON files for this course. Use the geojson's mapper, locate your favorite neighborhood. Mark a favorite location in the neighborhood (or a landmark) as a point (select from the menu on the right of the map).

• On the right hand side, the corresponding geoJSON file will be created.
• Save the file and upload to github (see above).
• Commit the file and preview.
  You should see the a map pop up in the preview window.
  (Here's a helpful example.)

Here's a nice description of basic concepts of geoJSON:

• Read/skim the description of different types.
• What types are in the geoJSON file you created above?
• Using the mapper, add a polygon outlining your neighborhood. What was created in the corresponding geoJSON file?
• Create two additional markers for favorite places or landmarks in your neighborhood.
• Also in your file, mark the major transit lines (subway, train, or bus).