Environics Analytics

This is Where We Live: Population Density of North America: A 3-D Perspective

Organization
Environics Analytics

Author
Anthony Alfano

ESRI Software
ArcScene/3D Analyst 9.2, ArcGIS 9.2

Data Sources
Environics Analytics 2007 Demographic Estimates and Projections, based in part on files licensed from Statistics Canada. Claritas PopFacts 2007

Description
Originally designed for the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), this map portrays the proximity of Ontario to large markets in both Canada and the United States. The distance rings show that within relatively short distances and travel times Ontario manufacturers can reach many of the largest and most populous cities in North America. This is significant for OMAFRA, as products from Ontario can be transported to market more efficiently than produce originating from other major growing regions. Export opportunities evidenced here are clearly applicable to other sectors of the economy as well as agriculture.

Environics Analytics combined Canadian and US Census data, joined census tract boundary files at the border and applied innovative scaling and colouring routines. ArcScene made it possible to create a 3-D map with Ontario clearly in a pivotal position in North America. The result is a map that overcomes the typical problem of Canada getting lost because of the concentration of the population along the border.

Acknowledgements
Originally designed for the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs and submitted with their permission.