How to create KML file to store your geo data

You can use KML files to create maps in Google Fusion Tables. 

Comments to the tutorial: I keep everything in folders, it's not a must but when you have a few polygons or lines or points it's easier to keep order. I segregate everything by type, so for example polygons and points are never in the same folder, I do this just in case if I wanted to export KML to shape file.

This tutorial is useful when you want to create geographic files of places that are hard to find in ready geo files. It's recommended for smaller projects, as everything is done by hand. Easy to imagine that mapping all buildings in a selected country isn't this case :)

Shape file directory

It's a list from my perspective, I work mainly with geo data for Europe and Asian post Soviet Union countries. I wanted to keep all my sources in one place so I started this list, which I am planning to update when I find something interesting. I focus on open source shape files.

If you came across a website with shape files and you want to share it with me, it will be the happiest day of my life.

Simplifying geometries of polygon shape files in QGIS's SimpliPy

First you have to install SimpliPy

Note that the plug-in says: You must have installed Shapely 1.2.18 or you will get an error installing or using this plug-in. Shapely is open source.

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Here you can learn what simplifying geometries of shape files is.
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Simplifying geometries of polygon shape files

If your map works very slowly and you have to wait for a respond for a loooooooooong time, it's a clear sign that you need to simplify the geometries of the shape files.

How to export a point shape file to csv in QGIS

A point shape file in QGIS looks like this:

QGIS basic tutorial 2 - merging administrative divisions

Let's analyse a situation, you have a data set and you have something, what looks like the matching shape file, you think cheerfully that the data set will fit to the shape file like a hand to the glove. Unfortunately, life isn't so easy. Some shape files aren't updated regularly, it is common that administrative districts with low population density are joined to the neighbouring districts. It is worth to compare the number of districts in your data sets with the shape file. If you see any gap, try to find information about changes, so you will know which districts should be merged.

QGIS basic tutorial 1 - attribute table, sorting, filtering

I use QGIS to prepare shape files for creation of maps in Tableau. Some shape files demand changes to match my Tableau projects so I decided to share few tips how to work with them.

In the tutorial I work with QGIS 2.0.1. and the shape file of Ukrainian administrative districts from GADM.