The Evolution of Digital Cartographic Databases (State Topographic Maps) from the Beginnings to Cartography 2.0: The Hungarian Experience

Abstract

The history of Hungarian digital maps can be understood only in conjunction with the development of information technology and the political changes. The conversion of state base maps into digital form was an important phase of the development of the Hungarian digital cartography. This process was luckily in coincidence with the political changes, which made the open access of the previously classified state topographic maps possible. When the application of personal computers became widespread some 25 years ago, the Hungarian users started to claim official topographic databases.

The first digital database (a digital terrain model) was developed by the Hungarian Post for civil telecommunication purposes based on classified civil topographic maps in the late 1970s. This allowed only the limited use of this first database.

At the end of the 1980s, both the civil and the military mapping services converted their paper maps into digital form to meet the demand of users for digital maps. To satisfy the increasing demand for digital topographic databases, both the national mapping agencies (military and civil) and private firms invested lot of effort to make these products available. The appearance of web environment, the integration of Hungary in the European Union also increased the demand for up-to-date digital cartographic databases. The effect of global cartographic services pushed the two Hungarian National Mapping Agencies (the civil and the military) into preparing modern cartographic products, but the economic crisis did not allow rapid development.