Datel developed a new map application for Statistics Estonia that visualizes data from various areas of national statistics that are published in the Statistics Estonia database. The map application allows to view data mainly from counties, but also from local governments.This gives a good overview of the data for the whole of Estonia and at the same time analyze and compare the data of the selected region with other regions.
“The data in the map application is updated at the same time as new data reaches the Statistics Estonia database. This means that we now see a lot of the most recent Statistics Estonia data on the maps, from economic growth to library attendance,” said Hendrik Neubauer, a geoinformation specialist at Statistics Estonia.
According to Neubauer, the agency has a lot of data that, when put on a map, helps users better understand the content of the data. “The goal of the map application is to make the Statistics Estonia’s extensive database more accessible to people and, perhaps even more importantly, more understandable,” Neubauer emphasized. “On maps, data and important trends often become better understood and more alive,” he explained.
“Spatial data is often the first data used to assess the competitiveness and development of different regions. We are now making this data available in a ready-made form for evidence-based policymaking,” said Neubauer.
“The map application is designed for the X-GIS 2 web map software, which has been enhanced with support for data cube visualization. Using X-GIS 2 means that statistical thematic maps can be enriched with hundreds of data layers from the X-GIS 2 map server, if the user wishes, and thus create additional connections between statistics and location information,” said Sulev Õitspuu, Head of the Geoinformation Systems Office of the Land and Spatial Planning Board.