Global positioning satellites - the global positioning system - greatly simplifies the tasks of mapping and direction finding. The easiest way to use this system to create a map of the area is to work with the program or service GIS (Geographic Information System). With the help of this program or service, the original GPS data is converted into a topographic map. Once the GPS map has been created, it can be printed or transferred to a navigator such as Garmin.
Instructions
Step 1
Use a program or internet service to work with GPS. For example, GPS Visualizer. It is a free internet service for creating maps of the area around the world based on GPS data. Make sure you also have Adobe's SVG Viewer web browser plug-in installed on your computer.
Step 2
Find and download the GPS data file (for example, in GPX, KML / KMZ or CSV format) for the desired location. To do this, use a search on internet sites that provide GPS data for a specific country or region. If the data was not found, you can use another GPS Visualizer service to create your own GPX or KML files. On the GPS Visualizer website, go to the Draw a Map page, then find the link “use GPS Visualizer's sandbox to create your own GPX or KML file”.
Step 3
Open a mapping program or service and navigate to the original map data page. There are usually many settings available on this page; Leave the default settings if you don't understand them yet. Import the GPS data into the software by selecting the file in the text box and clicking the Import or Browse button.
Step 4
Select the type of map to create in the Map Parameters section. It should have a background map in the dropdown. Select a single topographic map display option for the desired region. For example, for a US map in the GPS Visualizer software it is “US: USGS Topo Map, Single Image”.
Step 5
Create a map by clicking on the button with a picture or sheet. If the program has the ability to display the map in the second window, select this option so as not to lose the page with all the settings. The generated map can include features such as waypoints and tracks, or tourist routes.
