ИСТИНА

Generalization models are guided by numerical parameters that define the resulting detail of a map. However, detail is still a weakly formalized and elaborated concept. Previous investigations try to assess the geometric side of detail through assessment of conceptual schema, geometric resolution, precision and granularity. Such characteristics as feature type, vertex density, object size, shortest edge length and others can be utilized in complex characterization of detail. However, average geometric characteristics and density of spatial features can differ significantly for topographic maps of the same scale which cover the areas with different landscape complexity. As a consequence, economically developed, especially urban landscapes, which are often more complex than natural, can be mistakenly judged as having higher level of detail (LoD) than homogeneous natural landscapes represented in the same database. The same bias can be observed for mountainous regions in comparison to planes.