School Locations in Canada: A Visual Insight
In the visualization below, we investigate the distribution of schools across Canada using geographic data, offering a spatial perspective on the educational infrastructure of the country. The glowing points on the map represent the school locations, providing a clear visualization of where educational institutions are concentrated and where gaps may exist. This map was produced using QGIS, an open-source Geographic Information System Platform, which enables for precise data visualization and analysis.
Figure 1: A glow effect map of School Locations using QGIS
Key Observations:
Eastern Canada Concentration:
The highest concentration of schools is observed in the eastern provinces, especially in Ontario and Quebec, which correspond with Canada’s most populous regions. Major cities such as Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa are especially prominent in this distribution. The clustering of schools in these regions highlights the dense population and the concentration of urban centers.
The Maritime provinces, which includes Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island—also have a visible number of schools, though their density is lower compared to Ontario and Quebec because of their smaller population sizes.
Sparse Distribution in the Prairies and the North:
Moving west, we see fewer schools in the prairie provinces—Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba—especially in rural areas. These provinces have large expanses of agricultural and rural land, which results in fewer schools spread out over a larger area.
The northern territories—Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut—exemplify very few schools because of the sparse population. The large distances between communities in the North highlight the geographic challenges these regions encounter in providing easy access to education.
West Coast Concentration:
British Columbia presents a moderate density of schools, concentrated mainly around the southern urban areas of Vancouver, Victoria, and other major cities. The province's mountainous terrain and vast wilderness limit population spread, which explains the focus of schools in more accessible urban regions.
Urban vs. Rural Divide:
The map highlights the urban-rural divide in Canada. Urban locations such as Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver have dense networks of schools, while large rural and remote regions have fewer schools, making access to education more challenging. This pattern is expected given Canada's population distribution, but it raises important questions about equitable access to education in rural and remote communities.
Educational Accessibility in Remote Areas:
The sparse distribution of schools in remote regions, particularly in the North, indicates potential challenges for students living in these areas. With fewer schools and greater distances between them, students may need to travel long distances or depend on alternative forms of schooling, such as online learning or boarding facilities. This raises concerns about equal educational opportunities for all students across Canada.
Methodology
In QGIS, downloaded the PlugIn QuickMapServices to download a base map with a dark layer
Utilized https://overpass-turbo.eu/, and used the below code to download data from a specific location: [out:json];
area["name"="Canada"]->.boundaryarea;
node["amenity"="school"](area.boundaryarea);
out body;
Downloaded a GeoJSON file of the data
Loaded the GeoJSON file into QGIS by going to Layer -> Add Layer -> Add Vector Layer
Load the data onto the map
Go to the Symobology option, and choose the following for each: Colour: White
Opacity: 20% Size: 0.5 Blending Mode: Addition
Check mark draw effects
Click on the yellow star option beside the draw effects
Checkmark Outer Glow
For effect type, choose Outer Glow
For spread, and blur radius, use 0.75
You can use color ramp or single mode, and choose any color
For blend mode, choose Addition, and click "Ok"
Click on Simple Marker, and for stroke style, choose no line
Why Is This Important?
This map, created using QGIS, not only highlights where schools are located but also serves as an important tool for policymakers, educators, and researchers to assess educational accessibility in Canada. Understanding the spatial distribution of schools is important for addressing inequities in education, particularly in rural and remote regions where access to quality education can be hindered by geographic barriers.
As Canada continues to grow and develop, ensuring that every child has access to educational institutions is important for building a stronger, more inclusive society. This visualization can inform efforts to bridge the urban-rural divide, enhance educational infrastructure, and deploy resources where they are most needed.
The Power of QGIS in Visualization
By using QGIS, we were able to create this detailed and insightful map, leveraging geographic data to visualize the location and density of schools across Canada. QGIS is a powerful tool for spatial analysis, making it an ideal platform for visualizing trends and providing actionable insights into data. Through layers, symbology, and customizable effects, such as the glow effect in this visualization, QGIS offers a flexible and accessible way to create maps that inform decision-making processes.
Conclusion
In summary, this map provides a compelling view of Canada’s educational infrastructure and serves as a foundation for further discussions on how to ensure equal access to education for all Canadians, regardless of geographic location. As technology advances, tools such as QGIS will continue to play an important role in shaping our understanding of the world around us, especially in important areas such as education.
Commenti