This open-access SpringerBrief accompanies and explains a comprehensive GIS dataset that traces both the external and internal administrative borders of the current 27 EU member states, the United Kingdom, the EFTA member states (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland), as well as the countries that formerly constituted Yugoslavia and Albania, covering the period from 1870 to 2020. The dataset represents the first geospatial data package to provide complete and systematic information on changes in European borders at the regional level.

Together, the book and dataset enable users at all levels of expertise to use standard GIS tools to generate regional maps. Detailed knowledge of these regional transformations provides a solid foundation for examining Europe's cultural and political heterogeneity and its historical development. This resource is particularly valuable for academics and secondary school teachers working in fields such as history, geography, sociology, and European studies.

This book is open access, which means that you have free and unlimited access to it and its accompanying dataset Features the first set of digital geodata that provides complete and comprehensive information about changes in European borders at regional level during this period Explains different uses for this geodata in detail for GIS users from beginner to professional

Autorentext

Dr. Jürgen Schweikart is a Professor of Cartography and Geoinformation Systems at the Berlin University of Applied Sciences and Technology. He teaches courses in GIS, cartography, and spatial analysis. His research focuses on health geography, spatial data analysis, and GIS-based modeling. Dr. Jordi Martí-Henneberg is a Professor of Human Geography at the University of Lleida, Spain and a Chair holder on Cross-border areas under the Jean Monnet program, EU. His work consists of building up and getting results from a new GIS database for studies of the historical geography of Europe since the mid-19th century. Jonas Pieper is a research associate in the field of Geoinformation at the Berlin University of Applied Sciences and Technology. He supports teaching in geodata analysis, GIS, spatial statistics, and geovisualization. His research interests focus on geographic health research and environmental information. Dr Mateu Morillas Torné holds an MSc in Geoinformatics, specializing in GIS programming. He has contributed to the development and analysis of a historical GIS railway dataset in Europe. Bennet Schulte is affiliated with the Berlin University of Applied Sciences and Technology, where he contributed to this publication. His research focuses on historical geography, boundary evolution, spatial data analysis, and cartographic visualization. He volunteers his expertise to numerous public projects involving historical map visualizations.

Inhalt

Chapter 1. Introduction.- Chapter 2. Methodological Approach.- Chapter 3. Structure of the REGIS Data Set.- Chapter 4. Use of the REGIS and REThM Data.- Chapter 5. Conclusion.