Introduction

The Southeast Asian Topographic Map Database contains rich map collections that nearly cover the entire Mainland Southeast Asia. These maps, often having a large scale and containing detailed geographic features, are very helpful to those who are doing their research in Southeast Asian Countries. Among these map collections, some are rather rare, for example, the old Myanmar topographic maps, which were originated by British Colonial Government, but revised by Japanese Military. The brief catalogue of the Southeast Asian Topographic Maps is listed as follows:

Map Catalogue

The Dublin Core metadata standard was used to document these map sheets, as the Dublin Core is a standard for cross-domain information resource description. The simplicity and flexibility of Dublin Core also reduce the cost of cataloguing these large volume collections. The metadata management system is conducted using the open source object-relational database management system - PostgreSQL/PostGIS. The global map system (Minnesota Mapserver plus 1:1,000,000 Global Vector Map Level 0) facilitates online browsing the area of interest by users, thus help them to easily locate their interested map sheets before contacting the administrator of this map database for their map request.

CSEAS has more than 40,000 sheets of topography maps including Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Pacific region, Japan, and other parts of the world. The collection includes one than 10,000 sheets of Gaiho-zu, maps outside Japan published by the Japanese army during the World War II, mainly in the 1940s.
We have so far uploaded about 2,000 sheets of topography maps of Southeast and South Asia, which you can access through the web site, and will increase the number of maps year by year. You can search for these Gaiho-zu using the following databsae.

In addition, the topographic map database was also registered as a remote database node of National Geospatial Data Clearinghouse. This was achieved by a progressive development over the functionality of the Z39.50 Software - Isite/GEO package. Accessing the FGDC Geo-Gateway, typing a keyword - [laos] and selecting the spatial data server - [Kyoto University - Southeast Asian Topographic Maps], and you will find how our database (Dublin Core metadata standards and SQL database platform) are completely compliant with the existing geospatial gateway facilites (FGDC CSDGM Metadata standard plus Z39.50 Protocol).

Database Guideline

Basically, those who are teaching in universities or doing academic research can apply for maps from this topographic database without charge of fee. Under the regulations of CSEAS, we can provide a maximum of five sheets per application. Click for more details.

Regarding the map application, please understand the application procedure(Word/PDF) firstly. The application form (Word/PDF)could be downloaded for your map requests. For any requests and inquries, please send a e-mail to webmaster@cseas.kyoto-u.ac.jp.

Acknowledgement

The development of this database was financially supported by the Grant-in-Aid for Publication of Scientific Research Results of Japan Society for the Promotion of Science and the Grant-in-Aid of National Institute of Informatics.