1.2. Course Data

1.2.1. Natural Earth

The Natural Earth dataset is a free collection of vector and raster data published by the North American Cartographic Information Society to encourage mapping.

For this course we will be using the Natural Earth cultural and physical vector layers backed by a raster shaded relief dataset.

../../../_images/natural_earth.png

Natural Earth

The quickstart Natural Earth styling has been exported from QGIS and cleaned up in uDig for use in GeoServer.

1.2.2. Digital Elevation Model

A digital elevation model records height information for visualisation and analysis. We are using a dataset derived from the USGS GTOPO30 dataset.

../../../_images/gtopo30.gif

Digital Elevation Model

The GeoServer “dem” styling has been used for this dataset.

1.2.3. Configuration

Note

In a classroom setting GeoServer has been preconfigured with the appropriate data directory.

To set up GeoServer yourself:

  1. Download and unzip the following into your data directory:

    This will produce a raster and vector folder referenced in the following steps.

    Optional default SLD styles:

  2. Use the Importer to add and publish -

    the following TIF Coverage Stores:

    • dem/W100N40.TIF

    • ne/ne1/NE1_HR_LC_SR.tif

    the following directories of shape files:

    • ne/ne1/physical

    • ne/ne1/cultural

    ../../../_images/stores.png
  3. Cleaning up the published vector layers:

    • Layer names have been shortened for publication - the ne_10m_admin_1_states_provinces_lines_ship.shp is published named states_provinces_shp

    • Use EPSG:4326 as the spatial reference system

    • Optional: Appropriate SLD styles have been provided (from the uDig project)

    ../../../_images/cultural.png
  4. To clean up the published raster layers:

    • The NE1 GeoTiff is styled with the default raster style

    • The usgs:dem GeoTiff is styled with the default DEM style

    ../../../_images/raster2.png
  5. Optional: create a basemap group layer consisting of:

    ../../../_images/group.png

    This offers a combined layer, forming a cohesive base map.

    ../../../_images/basemap.png