Interactive map of refugee movement in Europe

• Main Authors: Calka Beata, Cahan Bruce
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Polish Academy of Sciences 2016-12-01
• Series: Geodesy and Cartography
• Subjects: interactive map; migration; spatial data; cartographic visualisation
• Online Access: http://www.degruyter.com/view/j/geocart.2016.65.issue-2/geocart-2016-0010/geocart-2016-0010.xml?format=INT
• ISSN: 2080-6736; 2300-2581

Considering the recent mass movement of people fleeing war and oppression, an analysis of changes in migration, in particular an analysis of the final destination refugees choose, seems to be of utmost importance. Many international organisations like UNHCR (the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) or EuroStat gather and provide information on the number of refugees and the routes they follow. What is also needed to study the state of affairs closely is a visual form presenting the rapidly changing situation. An analysis of the problem together with up-to-date statistical data presented in the visual form of a map is essential. This article describes methods of preparing such interactive maps displaying movement of refugees in European Union countries. Those maps would show changes taking place throughout recent years but also the dynamics of the development of the refugee crisis in Europe. The ArcGIS software was applied to make the map accessible on the Internet. Additionally, online sources and newspaper articles were used to present the movement of migrants. The interactive map makes it possible to watch spatial data with an opportunity to navigate within the map window. Because of that it is a clear and convenient tool to visualise such processes as refugee migration in Europe.