Abstract
This paper describes the design and making of an interactive
(Google) map of incidents and other information pertaining to
warfare during the “Summer War” of 2006 in Lebanon. It covers the
background to the war, reasons for making the map, which sources
were used and how it was made. Furthermore, it explains how the
map came to be used in the relief effort in the country and how
it might have contributed to the understanding of the war itself.
The map was constructed in the KML markup language using no other
programming tools than the normal user interface to Google
Earth. The paper discusses the challenges of creating a large and
complex mapping of located incidents over time, the limitations
of the KML language, access to news sources, accuracy of
location, and transformation of the data into other formats.
Publication techniques and practical usage of the map is also
covered both as it applied at the time and for later
research. Problems arising from the difference between other,
static maps of the 2006 war, and this, transient and adaptable
mapping format are addressed.
Discipline
Geographic Area
Sub Area