That’s it! You’ve successfully built your own index using a Google Spreadsheet. We hope this guide has been helpful. For any questions, please feel free to contact us.
Today we are introducing, Christchurch, the Garden City of New Zealand, where lush greenery meets urban charm. This vibrant city, with its natural beauty and rich history, is ready to enchant you at every turn. From iconic landmarks to tranquil parks, Christchurch beckons you to discover its unique allure.
A Tapestry of History and Modernity
Christchurch is a city steeped in history and brimming with character. Founded in the early 19th century by English settlers, it quickly became a hub of commerce and culture on New Zealand’s South Island. Today, remnants of its colonial past mingle seamlessly with contemporary architecture, creating a unique tapestry of old and new. From the iconic Christchurch Cathedral to the bustling streets of Cathedral Square, the city invites you to step back in time and explore its storied past. Wander through heritage buildings, where each brick and stone tells a story of resilience and rebirth.
Nature’s Embrace: Gardens and Parks in Christchurch
Christchurch is renowned for its expansive parks and gardens, earning its moniker as the Garden City. The Botanic Gardens, established in 1863, is a verdant sanctuary in the heart of the city. Here, you can meander through themed gardens, marvel at exotic plant species, and relax by serene water features. The Avon River, winding gracefully through the city, offers picturesque settings for a leisurely punt ride or a peaceful riverside walk. Hagley Park, another gem, is perfect for picnics, sports, and enjoying the seasonal blooms that transform the landscape year-round.
Urban Vibrancy and Innovation
In the wake of the 2011 earthquake, Christchurch has risen with renewed vigor, showcasing innovation and creativity. The Re:START Mall, initially a symbol of resilience, has evolved into a bustling hub where repurposed shipping containers house trendy shops and cafes. The Christchurch Arts Centre, a neo-Gothic masterpiece, now serves as a thriving cultural venue, hosting exhibitions, performances, and markets that celebrate local talent and creativity. The Riverside Market, a food lover’s paradise, offers a culinary journey through fresh, local produce and gourmet delights.
A Cultural Kaleidoscope
Experience the vibrant tapestry of Māori culture that weaves through the fabric of Christchurch. From the rhythmic beats of the haka to the intricate carvings adorning local marae, the city is alive with the spirit of the indigenous people of New Zealand. Explore the depths of Māori heritage at cultural centers and museums, where traditional performances and exhibitions offer a glimpse into ancient customs and traditions. Embrace the warmth of manaakitanga (hospitality) as you immerse yourself in the traditions and stories passed down through generations. In Christchurch, Māori culture is not just a part of history—it’s a living, breathing force that continues to shape and enrich the city’s identity.
The Flavors of Canterbury
Raise a glass to the exquisite wines of Canterbury, where sun-drenched vineyards and cool ocean breezes combine to produce some of New Zealand’s most acclaimed varietals. Explore the picturesque landscapes of Waipara Valley, home to world-class Pinot Noir, Riesling, and Chardonnay. Wander through the rows of grapevines at family-owned wineries, where passionate winemakers craft each bottle with care and precision. Indulge in cellar door tastings, where every sip tells a story of terroir and tradition. Whether you’re a seasoned oenophile or simply seeking to expand your palate, Canterbury’s wineries invite you on a journey of discovery, one glass at a time.
Farewell, But Not Goodbye
As our journey through Christchurch comes to a close, we hope you’ve been inspired by the beauty, culture, and spirit of this remarkable city. From its lush gardens to its rich history, from the warmth of Māori hospitality to the flavors of its world-class wines, Christchurch offers something truly special for every traveler. As you bid farewell to this enchanting destination, remember that the door is always open for your return. Until we meet again, may your memories of Christchurch be as vibrant and unforgettable as the experiences you’ve shared.
We’re thrilled to announce significant updates to our shared map functionality! These enhancements provide greater control over data selection, improved visualization of location information, and convenient download capabilities.
Enhanced Data Selection:
Previously, viewing your entire dataset at once on the map wasn’t possible. This update empowers you to select specific data points for display. You can choose to display a single data point, multiple points, or your entire dataset. Simply click the eye icon next to the desired data points to make your selection.
Clearer Location Data Visualization:
Previously, even if latitude and longitude data existed within your dataset, it wasn’t readily viewable as a grid. We’ve addressed this issue! For CSV map data formats that include latitude and longitude columns, these coordinates will now be displayed directly within the grid. For GeoJSON data formats, a dedicated column named “_geojson” will be added to the grid. This column stores GeoJSON features as strings within each row.
Streamlined Data Download:
The most significant update is the introduction of a dedicated data download button. Clicking this button initiates the process of downloading all data utilized within the map. The downloaded file format will be CSV with UTF-8 encoding.
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To help you explore these new features, we’ve created a helpful video tutorial available on YouTube.
Additionally, below is an example of a shared map showcasing wineries in Waiheke Island, New Zealand (courtesy of Open Street Map) alongside daily land surface temperature data (courtesy of JAXA) for March (Please note that the unit for the temperature is not Celsius but Kelvin).
We believe these updates will significantly enhance your shared map experience!
For the Analysis of Time-Spatial Data & Satellite Data
Yokohama, Japan – April 2, 2024 – O2, a new service that simplifies the visualization and sharing of geospatial data, has officially launched. It is designed to meet the needs of a wide range of users, from GIS professionals to business users and students.
Key Features
Easy-to-use interface – O2’s intuitive interface makes it easy for users to upload, visualize, and share geospatial data, even without prior GIS experience.
Wide range of data support – O2 supports a wide range of geospatial data formats, GeoJSON, CSV and GeoTiff (raster and vector data).
Seamless sharing – O2 makes it easy to share geospatial data with others via links or embeds.
Satellite data – O2 offers access to JAXA Earth API and NASA Earth Observations.
O2 Images
O2 LogoO2 TopSatellite data (JAXA Daytime Daily Land Surface Temperature 22/March/2024 around Yokohama)Japan Land Price Transition from 1983 to 2023
Otani & Co., Inc. is a geospatial data science company that provides a variety of services, including data visualization, analysis, and consulting. The company was founded in 2010 and is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan. The previously developed software “GEEO” that estimates property and land values with statistical algorithms and open data was awarded both The Encouragement Award for Open Data Application by the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications and The Good Design Award, one of the prestigious awards for design in Japan.
A digital CV of Yuichiro Otani, a founder of Otani & Co., Inc., can be found in the link below:
This map visualizes cloud fraction around Brisbane throughout December 2023. White areas represent high cloud cover (1.00), while blue areas indicate thinner clouds (closer to 0.00). Refer to the legend for the exact color scale.
While some thinner cloud cover appeared intermittently, the month generally experienced significant cloudiness. Data was unavailable on the 2nd, 7th, 12th, 19th, 24th, and 31st. Only 7 days had completely clear skies: December 6th, 8th, 15th, 16th, 23rd, 28th, and 29th.
Focusing on the area closest to Brisbane City (north of the Story Bridge), we see the maximum cloud cover (1.00) occurred on December 1st, 14th, 15th, 17th, 21st, 22nd, 25th, and 30th. The lowest cloud cover (0.01) was recorded on December 11th.
You will access to the data from JAXA Earth API and NASA Earth Obseervation, and the details are written here. On O2, you will retrieve the data and create your own map. If you are interested in using the API (HTTP) from your codes, please feel free to contact us. For all the pandas users, two file formats, geojson and csv, are available.
The map below illustrates the Cloud Fraction around Brisbane Australia on December 2023. The data source is NASA Earth Observations.
You can create an account directly on O2 to access the data and visualizations.
The new API that is available inside O2 is going to be released soon!
At the time, you will retrieve the data from the two data sources, JAXA Earth API and NASA NEO. You will be notified via email and the blog article will be posted when it becomes public. The new blog post will contain the details of the API and a link to help. Plus, the two formats, geojson and csv, will be available when you request the data to the API. Using Python (pandas and geopandas), it will be easy to directly read the data from the urls.
In O2, you can use the data in two ways, Point (geojson has two properties, latitude and longitude ) and Polygon as you can click both of them on this map (the land surface temperature on January around Japan).
This map purposes to illustrate the sea surface temperature around New Zealand in 2023.
Month
n
Min
25%
50%
Mean
75%
Max
SD
Jan
48119
13.58
17.47
19.80
19.16
20.66
22.21
1.89
Feb
48119
14.59
18.24
20.32
19.64
21.05
22.18
1.71
Mar
48119
13.91
17.20
19.48
18.97
20.67
21.99
1.95
Apr
48119
11.72
15.39
18.07
17.51
19.58
21.09
2.38
May
48119
10.97
14.86
17.15
16.45
18.36
20.05
2.33
Jun
48119
9.58
13.77
15.97
15.18
16.96
18.99
2.28
Jul
48119
8.35
12.72
14.73
13.99
15.68
17.64
2.25
Aug
48119
7.86
12.05
13.90
13.21
14.87
16.69
2.23
Sep
48119
8.30
12.31
13.95
13.36
15.04
16.74
2.24
Oct
48119
8.45
12.39
14.16
13.63
15.44
17.03
2.24
Nov
48119
10.06
13.70
15.45
14.92
16.46
18.42
2.04
Dec
48119
10.93
14.93
16.83
16.45
18.28
20.20
2.25
SST around New Zealand
Although its fluctuation decreases, the mean of the sea surface temperature around New Zealand seems to gradually increase as the summer arrives in the southern hemisphere. This trend can be seen in other statistics as well.
