The Representation of Modern Geographic Space: Symbols on Topographic Maps

This study conducts a comprehensive survey of the symbols in the ‘Joseon Basemap’ produced in the 1910s, constructs a database(DB) from them, and spatially analyzes the status of symbols nationwide based on this database. Utilizing the methodology of HGIS(Historical Geographic Information Systems), the locations and characteristics of symbols in modern topographic maps were designed and constructed as GIS layers. The study targeted 58 types of symbols, gathering information on 12,343 features. The spatial distribution analysis revealed that among the 13 provinces, Gyeonggi-do had the highest number of symbols with 1,575 entries(12.8%). It was also found that while large administrative centers(大邑) from the Joseon Dynasty had a high number of symbols per administrative area, modern cities at the bu(府) level showed greater density of symbols. Administrative, industrial, and religious facilities constituted a significant proportion of the total symbols. These results will serve as important foundational data for analyzing relationships with place names, detailed analysis by type, cartographic representation of symbols, and thematic distribution. By laying the foundation for the study of symbols on modern topographic maps, this study provides the necessary groundwork for future research on time series data and line and polygon symbols for the reconstruction of historical geographic environments.