An introduction to making maps using QGIS software

Menu of the training

  1. Download and install QGIS
  2. Map layers: Raster and vectors
  3. Projections
  4. Datasets
  5. Select attributes
  6. Labels
  7. Create a map
  8. Import GPS data from Kobo
  9. Display GPS data
  10. Create vector layer
  11. Open layers (google maps, Open Street Map)
  12. Fancy mapping

Download and install QGIS

Standalone installer, usually 64 bits for your system: https://www.qgis.org/en/site/forusers/download.html

Map layers:

Raster = an image: lscanned map or sattelite images

Vector = points, lines or surfaces with coordinates and attributes (names, values)

Projections

CRS (Coordinate Reference Sytem)

WGS84 (All GPS, Kobotool box): 4326

Pseudo-Mercator (Google maps): 3857

Datasets

There are already a lot of ready made vector layers

Natural earth has physical, cultural and political datasets. Download SHP vectors for QGIS here

Humanitarian data in times of crisis, loads of information there!

Open layer plugins

To get Google maps, Google sattelite, Open Street Map, ESRI Sattelite....

Tile + plugin: http://bit.ly/tile_plus

QGIS Tutorials and Tips - Extremely easy to follow and complete tutorials for QGIS

Evaluate the training (eco-friendly: no paper!)

Map templates: if you want the logos to appear, you need to save the logos in the same folder as your QGIS file or tell QGIS the path in your computer to reach those logos