Geographic visualizations depicting the political subdivisions surrounding a particular Texan municipality function important instruments for understanding regional group. These cartographic representations delineate the boundaries of particular person county models adjoining to and inclusive of the central metropolis, conveying spatial relationships and administrative jurisdictions.
Such illustrations are instrumental for city planning, emergency administration, and financial growth initiatives. By clearly presenting the spatial extent of every county and its relation to the core metropolis, stakeholders can higher analyze demographic tendencies, useful resource distribution, and infrastructure wants. Traditionally, this data has been important for efficient governance and useful resource allocation throughout the area. These visible aids assist knowledgeable decision-making processes throughout varied sectors.
The rest of this dialogue will discover particular issues associated to accessing, decoding, and using the knowledge contained inside these geographic shows, notably specializing in purposes related to city planning and regional growth methods.
1. County Boundaries
County boundaries are foundational components of any cartographic illustration illustrating the political subdivisions round Austin, Texas. An outline of those boundaries defines the geographic extent of every county, immediately influencing how knowledge is aggregated, analyzed, and finally utilized for regional planning, useful resource allocation, and repair supply. These strains, subsequently, are usually not mere aesthetic options; they symbolize tangible administrative and jurisdictional limits. As an example, transportation planning depends closely on correct county boundary data to find out duty for street upkeep and building initiatives that will traverse a number of jurisdictions. Misrepresentation or inaccuracy in boundary depiction can result in misallocation of funds and ineffective mission administration.
Contemplate the particular case of emergency administration. Throughout a pure catastrophe, efficient coordination throughout county strains is paramount. Clear and exact cartographic delineation of boundaries permits emergency response companies to rapidly determine which jurisdictions are affected, to allocate assets appropriately, and to ascertain clear strains of communication and authority. Moreover, financial growth methods are sometimes formulated on the county stage. Correct visualization of those boundaries is important for analyzing financial exercise, figuring out potential progress areas, and designing focused interventions to advertise job creation and funding. Discrepancies in boundary representations can hinder these efforts by skewing financial indicators and misrepresenting the spatial distribution of financial assets.
In abstract, the correct illustration of county boundaries on a geographic show is prime to its sensible utility. Errors in these depictions can have far-reaching penalties, impacting essential features starting from infrastructure growth to emergency response. Recognizing the importance of those strains is subsequently important for efficient regional planning and decision-making throughout the Austin, Texas, space. The validity of any evaluation based mostly on the map hinges on the reliability of the boundary knowledge it presents.
2. Travis County
The importance of Travis County inside a geographic depiction of counties within the Austin, Texas area can’t be overstated. As the house of Austin itself, Travis County serves because the central level of reference, shaping the financial, social, and political panorama of the encompassing areas. Its traits profoundly affect regional planning and growth methods.
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Central Hub and Demographic Affect
Travis County, as a result of Austin’s presence, displays the very best inhabitants density and financial exercise in comparison with its neighboring counties. This focus necessitates detailed cartographic illustration, reflecting the intricate community of infrastructure, residential areas, and industrial facilities throughout the county’s boundaries. The demographic composition of Travis County, characterised by a youthful and extra numerous inhabitants, additionally impacts service supply and useful resource allocation throughout the complete area, influencing planning selections past the county line.
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Financial Driver and Useful resource Distribution
Austin’s financial vitality, concentrated inside Travis County, acts as a magnet for employment and funding, thereby affecting surrounding counties. The map precisely depicts the movement of assets, labor, and capital throughout county strains, highlighting the interdependence of the regional financial system. For instance, workforce housing shortages inside Travis County drive residential growth in adjoining areas, creating a necessity for coordinated transportation planning and infrastructure funding.
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Political and Administrative Middle
Because the seat of state authorities and a significant heart for political exercise, Travis Countys administrative selections and coverage implementations exert vital affect over neighboring counties. The geographic show illustrates the political boundaries and jurisdictional duties, which is essential for understanding the governance construction and inter-county collaborations. Joint initiatives, similar to regional transportation authorities and watershed administration initiatives, are sometimes depicted to indicate coordinated efforts throughout completely different political entities.
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City Planning and Infrastructure Improvement
City planning initiatives and infrastructure growth inside Travis County set precedents and affect growth patterns in surrounding areas. The maps depiction of transportation networks, utilities, and zoning laws inside Travis County gives precious context for understanding progress patterns and infrastructure wants in adjoining areas. For instance, the growth of Austin’s airport and the event of its public transportation system necessitate coordinated planning with neighboring counties to handle visitors movement and environmental impacts.
In conclusion, Travis County’s distinguished place inside a “map of counties in austin texas” underscores its position as a central hub and a driving power for regional growth. Its demographic traits, financial actions, political affect, and concrete planning initiatives form the panorama of the encompassing areas, requiring a complete and correct cartographic illustration to facilitate efficient regional planning and useful resource administration.
3. Adjoining Counties
The correct illustration of counties bordering Travis County is paramount to a complete “map of counties in austin texas.” These adjoining entities contribute considerably to the area’s total dynamics, impacting components starting from financial interdependence to useful resource administration, thereby making their portrayal important for efficient regional evaluation and planning.
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Financial Interdependence and Commuting Patterns
Adjoining counties typically exhibit vital financial ties with Travis County, notably by means of commuting patterns and labor markets. A geographic visualization depicting these counties reveals the movement of employees into Austin and demonstrates the reliance of those areas on town’s financial alternatives. Williamson, Hays, and Bastrop counties, for instance, function residential hubs for people employed in Austin. Failure to precisely symbolize these counties in relation to Travis County can obscure these financial relationships and hinder transportation planning, housing insurance policies, and workforce growth methods.
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Useful resource Sharing and Environmental Administration
Many pure assets, similar to water and watersheds, lengthen past the boundaries of Travis County, necessitating collaborative administration with neighboring jurisdictions. A cartographic depiction of adjoining counties highlights shared water assets, such because the Colorado River basin, and underscores the necessity for cooperative agreements on water utilization and environmental safety. Ignoring the presence and traits of those counties inside a regional depiction can result in fragmented administration approaches and potential conflicts over useful resource allocation.
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Infrastructure Improvement and Transportation Planning
The event of transportation infrastructure, together with highways, railways, and public transportation routes, typically requires coordination amongst Travis County and its adjoining neighbors. A “map of counties in austin texas” illustrating these interconnected transportation networks is essential for efficient regional transportation planning. For instance, the extension of toll roads into Williamson County and the event of commuter rail strains serving Hays County necessitate collaborative efforts to handle visitors congestion and enhance regional mobility. An incomplete portrayal of those adjoining counties can result in inefficient transportation planning and insufficient infrastructure investments.
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Inhabitants Development and City Sprawl
Inhabitants progress in adjoining counties is commonly pushed by the outward growth of city growth from Austin. This phenomenon can pressure assets and infrastructure in these neighboring areas. Mapping the counties round Travis County reveals the patterns of city sprawl and its impression on land use, housing affordability, and environmental high quality. Ignoring the event tendencies in these counties hinders complete regional planning efforts geared toward managing progress and mitigating its destructive penalties.
In conclusion, a “map of counties in austin texas” is incomplete with out an correct illustration of its adjoining counties. These areas are intrinsically linked to Travis County by means of financial interdependence, useful resource sharing, infrastructure growth, and inhabitants dynamics. Efficient regional planning and useful resource administration require a complete understanding of those relationships, which is barely potential by means of an correct cartographic depiction of the encompassing counties.
4. Spatial Relationships
The utility of a cartographic illustration exhibiting counties inside and round Austin, Texas hinges immediately on its correct depiction of spatial relationships. These relationships, encompassing proximity, adjacency, containment, and distribution, are usually not merely visible components; they symbolize elementary elements of regional planning and useful resource administration. As an example, the relative proximity of Hays County to Austin immediately influences commuting patterns and housing market dynamics. A map that precisely illustrates this closeness allows higher forecasting of future growth pressures and facilitates knowledgeable infrastructure investments. Conversely, a map that distorts these spatial relationships can result in misallocation of assets and ineffective coverage selections.
Moreover, the idea of containmentwhere one political subdivision falls inside one other (e.g., a municipality positioned inside a particular county)impacts jurisdictional authority and repair supply. The map clarifies these nested relationships, thereby offering important data for understanding which governmental entities are chargeable for particular companies inside a given space. Contemplate the availability of emergency medical companies; an understanding of which county maintains duty for ambulance protection particularly unincorporated areas is essential for coordinating responses successfully. The map serves as a visible information to those jurisdictional boundaries, enabling seamless inter-agency cooperation. Spatial distribution, the sample of human exercise and useful resource allocation throughout the map, illustrates disparities in entry to companies and the uneven distribution of financial alternatives.
In abstract, spatial relationships are usually not merely an incidental function of a “map of counties in austin texas”; they’re the core components that render it a precious software for regional evaluation and decision-making. Correct depiction of those relationships allows knowledgeable planning, efficient useful resource allocation, and coordinated service supply. Conversely, inaccuracies in spatial illustration can undermine the map’s utility and result in flawed coverage decisions, highlighting the essential significance of exact cartographic methods. The maps worth subsequently rests on the rigor with which spatial knowledge is collected, processed, and offered.
5. Jurisdictional Overlap
The idea of jurisdictional overlap is inherently related to any cartographic illustration displaying counties within the Austin, Texas area. The intersection of authority between completely different governmental entities necessitates cautious consideration in mapping to keep away from ambiguity and to facilitate efficient governance.
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Concurrent Authority
Areas the place county and municipal authority intersect create complicated administrative landscapes. A “map of counties in austin texas” should clearly delineate these zones, notably regarding regulation enforcement, zoning laws in unincorporated areas, and the availability of public companies. Situations the place metropolis ordinances lengthen into county territory require nuanced mapping to precisely replicate the scope and limitations of every jurisdiction’s powers.
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Particular Objective Districts
Impartial entities like Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs) and Emergency Service Districts (ESDs) function inside county boundaries however possess particular authority over outlined areas. A map ought to illustrate the boundaries of those districts in relation to county and municipal strains to convey the fragmentation of governance. Correct illustration permits residents, builders, and authorities officers to rapidly decide which entity is chargeable for service supply inside a specific locale.
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Extraterritorial Jurisdiction (ETJ)
Texas regulation grants cities ETJ, permitting them to control growth and annexation in unincorporated areas adjoining to their boundaries. The “map of counties in austin texas” ought to show ETJ zones to precisely painting the boundaries of municipal affect past metropolis limits. Visualization of those areas is essential for land use planning, because it clarifies which laws apply to particular parcels of land and influences future growth patterns.
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Interlocal Agreements
To handle shared challenges, counties and cities enter into interlocal agreements, defining collaborative efforts for service provision, infrastructure growth, and useful resource administration. Whereas these agreements could not alter jurisdictional boundaries, the map can incorporate symbology to point areas topic to such partnerships. Highlighting these zones promotes transparency and facilitates intergovernmental coordination on regional points.
Finally, the efficient utilization of a “map of counties in austin texas” requires a radical understanding of the jurisdictional panorama it portrays. Jurisdictional overlap necessitates detailed and correct mapping to assist knowledgeable decision-making by residents, builders, and authorities officers alike. The map serves as a essential software for navigating the complexities of native governance and selling environment friendly public administration.
6. Demographic Knowledge
Demographic knowledge types an indispensable layer of knowledge when built-in with a cartographic illustration of counties within the Austin, Texas area. Such knowledge, encompassing inhabitants density, age distribution, revenue ranges, and ethnic composition, imbues the map with sensible significance, enabling evidence-based decision-making throughout varied sectors. Inhabitants density, for instance, immediately influences the allocation of emergency companies and infrastructure funding. A map overlaying inhabitants density knowledge onto county boundaries reveals areas experiencing fast progress, thus requiring prioritized useful resource allocation for street building, college growth, or elevated regulation enforcement presence. Failure to include this demographic dimension can result in inefficient useful resource distribution and insufficient service provision in quickly growing areas. Contemplate Williamson County; its exponential inhabitants progress in current many years necessitates an in depth understanding of inhabitants density distribution inside its boundaries to optimize the position of public facilities and handle city sprawl successfully.
Age distribution is equally essential, notably for tailoring healthcare companies and senior citizen assist applications. A map displaying the focus of aged populations inside particular counties permits policymakers to focus on assets towards geriatric care services, transportation help, and different age-specific applications. Conversely, areas with a excessive proportion of younger households require elevated funding in childcare services, colleges, and leisure facilities. Moreover, revenue ranges, when mapped alongside county boundaries, present insights into financial disparities and areas of concentrated poverty. This data is crucial for designing focused social applications, inexpensive housing initiatives, and workforce growth methods. As an example, a visible evaluation exhibiting decrease revenue ranges in sure sectors of Bastrop County may set off the implementation of job coaching applications and initiatives geared toward enhancing financial mobility for residents in that space. Understanding ethnic composition throughout counties facilitates culturally delicate service supply and promotes equitable useful resource allocation. Correct demographic mapping ensures that public companies are tailor-made to fulfill the various wants of the inhabitants, selling inclusivity and social fairness.
In abstract, demographic knowledge just isn’t merely an ancillary factor of a “map of counties in austin texas”; it’s a elementary part that elevates its sensible worth. By overlaying demographic insights onto spatial representations, policymakers and planners could make data-driven selections, allocate assets successfully, and tackle the distinctive wants of particular person communities. The combination of demographic knowledge empowers stakeholders to foster equitable growth, promote social well-being, and improve the general high quality of life for residents within the Austin area.
7. Useful resource Allocation
Efficient useful resource allocation is inextricably linked to an correct illustration of counties within the Austin, Texas area. The map serves as a visible framework for understanding the spatial distribution of assets, enabling knowledgeable selections relating to their allocation. Governmental entities and personal organizations depend on this visualization to find out the equitable distribution of funding, infrastructure, and companies. As an example, transportation infrastructure funding is commonly allotted based mostly on inhabitants density and visitors patterns, each of that are spatially distributed throughout county strains. An in depth map is crucial to precisely assess these wants and allocate assets accordingly. Equally, the position of emergency medical companies, colleges, and public utilities is based on an understanding of demographic distribution inside and throughout county boundaries. With out an correct map, assets could also be disproportionately allotted, resulting in disparities in service supply.
Additional, the map is essential in assessing the impression of environmental components on useful resource allocation. Understanding watershed boundaries, aquifer recharge zones, and areas susceptible to pure disasters permits for the strategic deployment of assets for conservation efforts and catastrophe preparedness. For instance, if a specific space inside a county is recognized as a floodplain, assets might be directed towards flood mitigation measures, similar to levee building or enhanced drainage methods. Financial growth initiatives additionally rely closely on spatially knowledgeable useful resource allocation. Mapping financial exercise, employment facilities, and obtainable infrastructure permits policymakers to focus on investments in areas with the best potential for progress and job creation. By overlaying demographic knowledge with financial indicators, policymakers can determine areas the place focused interventions, similar to workforce coaching applications or enterprise incubators, are most wanted.
In abstract, a cartographic illustration of counties within the Austin, Texas space just isn’t merely a static visible help; it’s a dynamic software that facilitates knowledgeable useful resource allocation selections. Its accuracy is paramount to making sure equitable service supply, selling financial growth, and mitigating environmental dangers. Challenges stay in sustaining up-to-date maps that precisely replicate demographic shifts and altering useful resource wants. Nonetheless, the worth of this spatial framework for useful resource allocation stays plain, highlighting its integral position in regional planning and governance.
8. Planning Implications
Efficient regional planning round Austin, Texas, is essentially reliant on correct cartographic representations of the counties encompassing the metropolitan space. These shows present a spatial framework for understanding interconnected challenges and alternatives, immediately shaping planning selections throughout varied domains.
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Transportation Infrastructure Improvement
The “map of counties in austin texas” informs selections relating to the growth and upkeep of transportation networks. Correct depiction of county boundaries permits planners to research commuting patterns, determine congestion bottlenecks, and coordinate infrastructure initiatives that span a number of jurisdictions. For instance, the development of toll roads or commuter rail strains requires collaboration between counties, facilitated by a shared understanding of spatial relationships derived from the map.
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Housing and Land Use Planning
The outward growth of Austin’s city footprint influences land use patterns and housing markets in adjoining counties. A cartographic visualization delineates the spatial extent of city sprawl, informing selections about zoning laws, inexpensive housing initiatives, and the preservation of pure assets. As an example, mapping the speed of residential growth in Hays County relative to Travis County gives precious knowledge for addressing housing affordability challenges within the area.
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Environmental Useful resource Administration
Many environmental assets, similar to watersheds and aquifers, transcend county boundaries. The “map of counties in austin texas” facilitates collaborative administration of those shared assets. By visualizing the interconnectedness of water methods, planners can develop coordinated methods for water conservation, flood management, and air pollution prevention. The map underscores the necessity for inter-county cooperation in addressing environmental challenges that have an effect on the complete area.
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Financial Improvement Methods
The map gives a framework for analyzing financial exercise and figuring out alternatives for regional financial growth. By overlaying financial indicators onto county boundaries, planners can assess the distribution of jobs, industries, and enterprise clusters. This data informs selections about workforce growth applications, infrastructure investments, and incentives designed to advertise financial progress throughout the area.
In conclusion, the “map of counties in austin texas” is an indispensable software for regional planning. Its accuracy and comprehensiveness immediately impression the effectiveness of transportation, housing, environmental, and financial growth initiatives. The power to visualise spatial relationships and jurisdictional boundaries is crucial for fostering coordinated planning and addressing the interconnected challenges going through the Austin metropolitan space.
Often Requested Questions Relating to Cartographic Representations of Counties within the Austin, Texas Area
This part addresses frequent inquiries regarding maps depicting the counties inside and surrounding Austin, Texas. The data offered goals to make clear the aim, utility, and limitations of those cartographic assets.
Query 1: Why are maps exhibiting counties within the Austin, Texas space vital?
These maps are essential for regional planning, useful resource allocation, and understanding jurisdictional boundaries. They supply a visible framework for analyzing demographic tendencies, financial exercise, and infrastructure networks throughout the Austin metropolitan space.
Query 2: What data is usually included on a map of counties within the Austin area?
These maps usually delineate county boundaries, main roadways, inhabitants facilities, and vital geographic options. Some maps can also incorporate demographic knowledge, financial indicators, and environmental data.
Query 3: How are these maps utilized in regional planning?
Regional planners make the most of these maps to coordinate transportation initiatives, handle water assets, and tackle housing wants throughout county strains. The maps facilitate communication and collaboration amongst completely different governmental entities.
Query 4: What are the restrictions of relying solely on a map for regional evaluation?
Maps are static representations of dynamic methods. They could not totally seize the complexities of social, financial, and environmental interactions. Moreover, knowledge accuracy and map scale can affect the interpretation of spatial data.
Query 5: How can I entry dependable maps of counties within the Austin, Texas space?
Dependable maps can be found by means of authorities companies, such because the Texas Division of Transportation and the Texas Water Improvement Board. College libraries and GIS knowledge repositories additionally present entry to cartographic assets.
Query 6: What’s the distinction between a county map and a metropolis map of Austin?
A county map shows the boundaries and traits of counties throughout the Austin area, whereas a metropolis map focuses on the interior construction and options of the Metropolis of Austin itself. Every kind of map serves distinct functions and gives completely different ranges of element.
In abstract, cartographic representations of counties within the Austin area are precious instruments for regional planning and evaluation. Nonetheless, customers ought to concentrate on their limitations and complement map-based data with different sources of knowledge.
The next part explores the historic evolution of county boundaries within the Austin area and their impression on up to date planning challenges.
Suggestions for Using Geographic Representations of Counties Surrounding Austin, Texas
To maximise the utility of cartographic depictions of counties close to Austin, Texas, consideration to particular particulars is crucial for knowledgeable decision-making and efficient regional evaluation. The next factors supply steerage for decoding and making use of these visualizations successfully.
Tip 1: Confirm Knowledge Foreign money: Geographic representations are solely as dependable as the information upon which they’re based mostly. Prior to creating essential selections, verify the map’s classic and guarantee it displays the latest boundary changes, demographic shifts, and infrastructure developments. Seek the advice of official sources, such because the U.S. Census Bureau or related state companies, to validate the maps accuracy. Older depictions could misrepresent present circumstances, resulting in flawed analyses.
Tip 2: Perceive Scale and Decision: The extent of element offered on a map is contingent upon its scale. A small-scale map masking a big space will essentially generalize options, doubtlessly obscuring localized variations. Look at the maps decision to find out its suitability for particular purposes. For detailed site-specific analyses, high-resolution depictions are important. For regional overviews, smaller scale could suffice, however consciousness of its limitations is essential.
Tip 3: Interpret Symbology and Legends: Cartographic representations make use of symbols and legends to convey details about varied options, similar to street classifications, zoning designations, and demographic traits. Familiarize your self with the map’s symbology earlier than drawing conclusions. Misinterpreting symbols can result in inaccurate interpretations of the information. Seek the advice of the map’s legend and any accompanying documentation for clarification.
Tip 4: Contemplate Jurisdictional Boundaries: County boundaries delineate administrative and regulatory jurisdictions. Acknowledge that completely different entities could have authority over particular areas or actions throughout the area. Understanding jurisdictional boundaries is essential for navigating regulatory processes, securing permits, and coordinating with related authorities. Disregard for these boundaries can result in non-compliance and mission delays.
Tip 5: Analyze Spatial Relationships: The spatial association of counties and their constituent components reveals precious details about connectivity, accessibility, and proximity. Analyze the maps depiction of transportation networks, useful resource distribution, and demographic patterns to determine potential synergies or conflicts. As an example, proximity to main transportation corridors can affect financial growth alternatives, whereas shared water assets necessitate cooperative administration methods.
Tip 6: Combine with Exterior Knowledge: Maximize the maps utility by integrating it with exterior datasets, similar to financial indicators, environmental assessments, or social service statistics. Overlaying these datasets onto the map can reveal spatial correlations and inform focused interventions. For instance, mapping unemployment charges by county can information the allocation of workforce growth assets.
Tip 7: Seek the advice of Professional Interpretation: When coping with complicated planning points or intricate spatial relationships, search the steerage of skilled cartographers, city planners, or GIS specialists. These consultants can present nuanced interpretations of the map and help in integrating it with different related data. Skilled experience can mitigate the danger of misinterpretation and improve the standard of decision-making.
In essence, efficient utilization of those geographic visualizations necessitates cautious consideration to knowledge foreign money, scale, symbology, jurisdictional boundaries, spatial relationships, and integration with exterior knowledge sources. Consulting skilled recommendation when crucial additional enhances the accuracy and reliability of map-based analyses.
The concluding part will summarize the core arguments offered and reiterate the significance of correct spatial illustration in regional planning throughout the Austin, Texas space.
Conclusion
This exploration has emphasised the essential position of correct cartographic representations displaying counties inside and surrounding Austin, Texas. Key factors addressed embrace the significance of delineating jurisdictional boundaries, understanding spatial relationships, integrating demographic knowledge, and informing useful resource allocation methods. The efficient utilization of those maps is crucial for knowledgeable regional planning and environment friendly governance.
Continued funding in sustaining and enhancing the accuracy of “map of counties in austin texas” is paramount to addressing the evolving challenges of regional growth. The insights derived from these visualizations immediately impression the standard of life for residents and the long-term sustainability of the Austin metropolitan space. Subsequently, stakeholders should prioritize the event and utility of correct, up-to-date cartographic assets.
