Ghost Towns
of
New Mexico

Project Overview:

This documentation presents the process and skills involved in creating a map showcasing ghost towns in New Mexico. The map represents the culmination of data acquisition, geodatabase creation, geoprocessing, and visualization efforts.

Data Acquisition:

• Objective: Gather geographic data related to ghost towns in New Mexico.

• Sources: Acquired data from reputable sources providing information on ghost towns.

• Data Types: Shapefiles, geodatabase feature classes, and potentially georeferenced raster datasets for additional context.

• Documentation: Compiled metadata for all acquired datasets, ensuring completeness and accuracy.

Geodatabase Creation:

• Objective: Organize ghost town data into a structured geodatabase for efficient management and analysis.

• Steps:

  1. Created a new geodatabase named "GhostTowns_NM" to house the ghost town data.

  2. Imported acquired datasets into the geodatabase, organizing them into feature classes and tables.

Geoprocessing and Visualization:

• Objective: Prepare ghost town data for visualization on the final map.

• Geoprocessing Tasks:

  • Raster Clipping: Extracted a subset of data from a raster dataset based on a defined boundary.

  • Erasing: Removed irrelevant features from acquired datasets based on the spatial extent of another feature class.

  • Converting Table to XY Table: Transformed a tabular dataset into a spatial dataset containing point features.

  • Definition Queries to Filter Data: Restricting the display of features based on attribute values or spatial relationships.

  • Changing Symbols for Picture Markers: Customized the symbology of point features using picture markers to enhance visualization.

• Visualization: Designed the layout and symbology of the map to effectively communicate the distribution and characteristics of ghost towns in New Mexico.

• Documentation: Recorded all geoprocessing tasks performed, including before-and-after visualizations to demonstrate data refinement and map design decisions.

Skills Demonstrated:

• Data Acquisition

• Data Management

• Geoprocessing

• Data Cleanup

• Geocoding (Potentially for refining the location accuracy of ghost town coordinates)

• Projection Selection (Ensured all data layers are projected consistently for accurate spatial analysis)

• Documentation

Conclusion:

The creation of the ghost towns map of New Mexico showcases my proficiency in acquiring, organizing, and visualizing geographic data. By employing a systematic approach and leveraging various geospatial tools and techniques, I have produced a visually compelling and informative map highlighting the historical significance of ghost towns in the state. This project demonstrates my skills in data management, geoprocessing, and cartographic design, making it a valuable addition to my portfolio.