Using a digital terrain model to create a geographical basis for a tourist map of the Aimag Khentii (Mongolia)

The author considers creating a relief model for a digital tourist sketch of the territory of Khentii aimag, Mongolia, as the first stage of creating an electronic map. The initial materials used in drawing up its geographical basis are listed, the main technical solutions for making the relief map of the geographical basis for the territory of Khentii Aimag, Mongolia, are considered. To perform the construction of a digital terrain model (DTM), Spatial Analyst and ArcMap modules were used; they are part of Esri`s ArcGIS10 software, the most widely used one in our country. The proposed method of displaying the relief will enable not only visualizing it in two-dimensional form or as three-dimensional surfaces, but also calculating various morphometric parameters there, such as the slope of the surface, exposure and curvature of slopes, and many more. On the basis of the DTM, visibility zones are constructed (territories visible from the selected observation point taking into account the actual landscape), the volumes of embankments and recesses are calculated; water flow paths along the surface are determined and catchment basins are allocated. After constructing the DEM, a hydrography model is superimposed on it and then the thematic content of the tourist map, namely, unique natural and historical monuments of Mongolia, located in the database of maps created for the first time. The proposed basic solution in the method of terrain mapping can be used to improve and create a geoportal “Tourism of Mongolia”.