This map was made as a continuation of the previous map entitled "Mexico's Population". Similarly,  the layers mex_rails, mex_rivers, mex_roads, and mex_urban were dragged from ArcCatalog into ArcMap and Mex_states was unchecked (turned off). The layers were then organize to the best of my ability to ensure that all were visible since they appeared too cluttered initially. To help with this problem, the symbology of the layers were altered to show only some of the feature categories to make the map more readable. For example. this was done by right clicking on mex_rivers layer and select properties. Symbology Properties were changed based on Categories and Unique Values. Primary and Major was then chosen under displayed value field, "RANK". Primary are symbolized as a dark blue colored line with a 1 line width and Major with the same width and a slightly lighter shade of blue. A similar procedure was done the the other 3 layers listed above. Next, it was determined with an SQL query, through the labeling properties for the mex_urban layer, that only areas with a population over 1,000,000 would be represented on the map. Next, the labels of each state were converted to annotations in order to manipulate each on its own. In particular, the label for “Districto Federal” was changed to "Mexico City" with a font size of about 22 and emboldened text. The text of the other states were changed to a size 14 emboldened font. The labels for World_countries layer was converted to annotations as well and the size of the “Mexico” label was increased. Next, an inset map was created to show the location of Mexico in the Central American Region. Lastly, map features were then rearranged to suit the map display and the title was changed to "Central Mexico". The map was then saved and exported as a jpeg file as shown above.

Map displaying the Population of the Mexican States

At the beginning of the exercise, a folder connection to my drive and ArcCatalog was established in order for the data sets to be reviewed. I then navigated to the folder "Activity 2" through Catalog Tree to view the 8 data layers. While ensuring that Arc Catalog remains open, ArcMap was opened and the document title was entered in as“Mexico” and my name as the author in the Map Document Properties dialog box. Shapefiles were then dragged, one by one, from ArcCatalog into ArcMap, instead of using the Add Data option in ArcMap. The World_Countries shapefile was dragged across from ArcCatalog into ArcMap firstly, followed by Mex_boundary and Americas_Admin. Since the focus of this map is Mexico, I right clicked on the World_Countries shapefile under the table of contents and selected the zoom to layer option. Next, Mexico and its states were selected through the SQL query "CNTRY_NAME"= "Mexico".  Using this selected attribute, a new layer was created and exported by right clicking on Americas_Admin in the table of contents, selecting "export data" and then saving it as a new shapefile. Labels were applied to each country on the map with symbol style Country 2, font size 12 through the properties of World_Countries labels tab. Then, graduated colors as shown above, were applied to the map to show the population of the Mexican states. Lastly, map essentials such as the north arrow, legend, scale bar, scale text, the author, date and title of the map was added. The map was then saved and exported as a jpeg file as seen above. 

As a requirement for my GIS course, the above map was created using ArcMap 10.2.2 to depict the World's Population in 2007. Data was given to students in a zip file. The zip file was then unzipped and the data was added into the software program mentioned above. After that, the "World Country" layer was added and country shapes (depicted using polygons) appeared. The "Cities" layer was also added and each city also appeared represented, originally, in the form of squares. These layers can be easily recognized in the above map. After these layers were added, I modified the map to my own desire. The squares were changed to dots (size: 2, color: black). The quantities of each country's population is depicted above with graduated colors (of my own choice). On the map, the country with the darkest color has the largest population and the country with the lightest color has the smallest population. The background of the map was changed to a shade of blue of my choice. After this, a north arrow was added to the top right corner of the map and a scale bar of my choice. The division unit of the scale bar was changed from miles to kilometers. Then, a scale text (1:160,000,000) was added to the bottom right corner of the map. Lastly, the finished product (shown above) was exported as a picture file (JPEG).

My Favorite Map of Belize

My name is Gorlee Marin. I hold an Associate's Degree in Environmental Science and an Associate's Degree in Natural Resource Management. I am currently pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Natural Resource Management at the University of Belize. My ultimate goal is to earn a Master's and a Doctorate degree in Oceanography and become the manager of one of Belize's many marine stations where I will not only conduct research, but also ensure that the area is being protected and preserved. This is why I decided to major in Natural Resource Management.

I am driven by my passion for success and my motto of "never give up".  From a very young age, I would squirm at the thought of failure. This, along with the support of my family, is the sole reasons for all my achievements in both academics and sports. I enjoy playing volleyball and soccer, listening to serene music and spending quality time with my family. Apart from this, I prefer spending time out at sea, where I feel like I become one with the ocean. 

National Protected Areas of Belize (2013)

Above is my favorite map of Belize, which shows the National Protected Areas. It is important to note that the above map was created with information dated to 2013. Therefore, some figures pertaining to the number of protected areas will have changed. According to a lecture done during the University of Belize's Protected Areas Management course, there are 13 marine protected areas, comprising of 12.6% of the country's marine territory. There is over 50 terrestrial protected areas which cover an astonishing 50% of our land area. Magana, J. (2015) Therefore, a total of approximately 62.6% of Belize's entire territory is protected and governed under several environmental laws and acts, mainly the National Parks System Act (1981, the Marine Reserve Regulations of (1) 1983 and (10) 1987, and Forest Act for forest reserves. Ministry of Attorney General (2000)

Belize, "Mother Nature's Best Kept Secret" is known for its wide wide array of flora and fauna and magnificent structures such as the Mayan temples, Barrier Reef, Blue Hole and large forest reserves such as Chiquibul. Our country takes much pride in our natural resources. As a Natural Resource Manager, I too take much pride in protected and preserving the natural resources we have here in our country for the future generations.


References:

• Belize Protected Areas. (2010). Retrieved August 26, 2015, from http://www.pactbelize.org/ProtectedAreas.aspx 
• Magana, J. (2015). Protected Areas Management [Powerpoint Presentation]. 
• The Laws of Belize (Revised ed.), Department of Law Revision; Ministry of the Attorney General, 2000