Arizona Electronic Atlas Screen Layout

This tutorial will familiarize you with the different parts of the Arizona Electronic Atlas' screen, including the Map Frame, the Layer List, and the Toolbars, all of which have been outlined and labeled in red below.

If at any time you encounter an unfamiliar term, please consult our Glossary.

MAP FRAME

The Map Frame is located in the center of your screen, and displays layers that you can select from the Layer List. Your initial map will always display the default layers: census places, county boundaries, and highways.

The Map Scale displays the scale of map in miles and kilometers.

The North Arrow indicates the north direction.

Pan Arrows are located around the map image designating the eight cardinal directions. When you click on any of the arrows, the map will move in the appropriate direction.

The Coordinates box displays the longitude and latitude coordinates (decimal degrees) of your cursor as you move around the map.          

The Overview Map displays a red box over the map section you are viewing in relation to the entire state. You can toggle the view of the overview map by clicking in the Map Toolbar.

LAYER LIST

The Map Theme selected is shown immediately above the folders, layers, and legend.

The Folders contain the various layers that can by displayed on your map. Click on a folder to open it and view its contents.

When you open a folder the Layers and Legend, which have been integrated together in one frame, are displayed. Each layer represents a particular feature such as Wilderness Areas, Native Vegetation, Mines, and Topographic features. The Legend shows what colors and/or symbols represent each individual layer on your map.

TOOLBARS

Map Toolbar

The Zoom In tool allows you to view a portion of your map in greater detail.

The Zoom Out tool allows you to view a portion of your map in lesser detail.

The Pan tool allows you to move the viewing window in any direction so that you can see areas of your map that lying outside the viewing window.

The Measure tool allows you to interactively measures the distance (in both miles and kilometers) between two points by selecting the beginning and ending points on your map. Multiple segments may also be measured.

The Show Data tool allows you to view information about any visible layer on your map in a pop-up window.

Use the Previous Map tool to see your previously displayed map.

The Full Map tool will allow you to see the full extent of the map.

The Overview tool allows you to toggle the inset map in the upper-left of the Map Frame.

General Toolbar

The Help tool opens a separate browser window that contains instructions on how to use the Arizona Electronic Atlas. 

You can use the Print Map tool to print the map you have created.

The Download Map tool allows you to download your map and text in a zip file.

Use the Contact Us tool to send us feedback regarding the operation of the Arizona Electronic Atlas.

Data Toolbar

The Basic Query tool allows you to run predefined searches.

The Advanced Query tool can be used to search within the layers of the theme you have selected.

The Data Download function allows you to download data pertinent to a specific layer from the Atlas website in a zip file. There is a large amount of data that you may download from this tool that is not contained in visible layers, such as mean precipitation, dew point, and temperature.

The Place Finder tool allows you to quickly zoom to a named place in Arizona.

Layer Toolbar

Click on the Redraw Map tool to apply the selected layer to your map.

The Reset tool will uncheck any layers you have checked if if selected before the Redraw Map tool is clicked.