Use of GIS technology and free satellite images for the realization of the first Land Use Map of Maldives

Always considered an undisturbed Eden, Maldives are better known for resorts and uninhabited islands, beautiful seawater and coral reefs. Although, in this paradise of international tourism there are also several islands inhabited by locals. They were highly modified in the last fifteen years and the deepest changes regard the land use. This project is meant to create the first land use map of the Maldives. It will be done using GIS technologies for recovery, storage and processing spatial data. The project will be divided into two steps. During the early one a virtual map and a database, based upon the USGS (NLCD 92) classification, will be created using free satellite images. Lately, there will be a test period on field to verify the geographic and informative aspects of the map. The system will be open and modular, and it will provide a constant upload of data also thanks to the helping of the local population (VGI, volunteered geographic information). Once completed, the map will be published using a WebGis. This will allow it to be fully accessible and approachable to everyone.