Maps

[jakerod 254]

Anyone know of a website that I can find good maps on?

I really need some topographic maps of certain parts of Europe *cough*Fulda Gap*cough*. I could also use some street maps and other geographic related maps (forests etc.).

Seeing how I'm an island maker I think we all know why I'm looking for these maps. Any help would be appreciated.

[joltan 0]

Anyone know of a website that I can find good maps on?

Depends on what you really need. Elevation models with 50m or better resolution? Topographic maps 1:50000 or better? The best (and most expensive) source for these (at least in Germany if you're really interested in the Fulda Gap) would be the Landesvermessungsämter. They sell the digital data nescessary - although at a price - and they are very, very strict about what you're allowed to use them for (although that depends mostly on how much money you've got). Oh, and if you find an error in their data you are responsible for fixing it - and for submitting the fix to them. For free. In short: they are bastards.

Alternative: buy an official topographic paper map 1:50000 or 1:25000 and create your own elevation model by digitizing the elevation lines (can be done on screen after scanning and rectifying the map - use GRASS or another free GIS). The maps can be bough in map shops (bigger cities have those and if you're not in Germany the local shop should still be able to order them anyways) or via internet. You'll be needing maps for Hessen and Thuringia.

The free data available on the net are usually too coarse, but the paper maps are cheap and high quality.

[jakerod 254]

I wasn't planning on actually transforming it into the map but looking at it and doing it by hand. But hey I will try your idea, more power to me.

Keep coming with the ideas incase it doesn't work well though.

[joltan 0]

Well, for the object placement a 1:25000 map should be fine. If you're really into details then there's also 1:5000 scale maps ('Deutsche Grundkarte') available. But then those might only be interesting if you're really into details. Here's the links to the TK25 products for Hessen and Thuringia. Unfortunately both links are only in German - I haven't found an english page yet. But as I said, your local map shop (sometimes a good book store, too) should be able to order the maps for you and help you in selecting the exact sheets you need.

[jakerod 254]

Anyone remember when you used to be able to get aerial photos on mapquest.com?

Anyone know how or even if you can still do that?

I've found a good political map of the area I want but I can't find a good geographical and seeing aerial photos might help.

Any ideas?

[shinRaiden 0]

terraserver has some stuff.

[jakerod 254]

Quote[/b] ]terraserver has some stuff.

Its not perfect but I'm not going to complain because its close enough. Thanks guys hopefully this will help me accomplish the island quicker.

[NeMeSiS 11]

terraserver has some stuff.

i can see my street!

hehe that thingy is pretty cool

[FSPilot 0]

For island makers looking for US maps, the USDOT and FAA put together maps for aerial navigation.  They show airports (of course), rivers, big and small cities (with details on the big ones), and some topo information.  Nothing as detailed as forests and the like but it's got lots of other things.  Everything from fish hatcherys (I've never been able to spot one from the air, anyone have one for OFP? ) to oil wells.