Exercise – Vectors and Rasters
1) Load the vector layer "cities_ethiopia" (the WGS 84 projection is used; it is saved in the .prj file).
2) Load the DEM raster layer "srtm_ethiopia" (the WGS 84 projection should also already be saved).
Visualize the vector layer by moving it on top of the raster layer.
3) Open the attribute table of the cities layer and note which attributes are present. Select a row and
notice which point it corresponds to on the map.
4) Use the "Point sampling tool" plugin in to create a new layer of points that contains the attributes
listed in the cities layer as well as the elevation for each city. Import the new layer into QGIS and
check that a new column has been created for elevation.
5) Modify the layer style so that the colour of the new layer is represented by the elevation (select a
color palette and classification scheme that seems appropriate to you). Also change the point size
so that the area of each circle is relative to population/50000.
Question: Through visual assessment, can we conclude that the most populated cities are located in the
plains?
6) Add a label so that city names are shown next to each point.
Question: Which of the following cities has the largest population?
• Bahir Dar
• Addis Ababa
• Dire Dawa
• Mekele
7) We will now focus on the raster file. Select the "Identify Features" tool and click on a number
of different points in order to see their elevation. Note that the lowest elevation value is -9999:
this indicates missing data (the elevation at sea level is not stored in the raster).
Question: What is the altitude of the pixel located in the upper left corner of the raster (Zoom in enough
so that you are certain that you have selected the correct pixel).
8) Change the colour of the DEM so that the changes in relief are more visible. When classifying the
pixels, change the minimum from -9999 to 0 (the lowest possible elevation is 0, -9999 means that
data is missing).
9) Create the same elevation map but change the units to feet (1m = 3.28 ft). In order to transform
the elevation measurements, use the "Raster calculator" located under the Raster menu.
Question: In feet, what is the elevation of the pixel located in the upper right corner of the raster?
(Rounded to the nearest whole number)
Help
Import a vector file :
[Link]
shapefiles
Import a raster file:
[Link]
Open the attribute table: right-click on the layer name, then on "Open Attribute Table".
Download plugins: Plugins >> Manage and install plugins…
Change the layer style: double-click on the layer name, then on the Style tab.
Colour: Under the style tab, select "Graduated" in the upper left, then select the name of the attribute
that will be used for the classification, change the number of classes to be used for the representation, the
colour palette and the classification method. Once all parameters have been defined, select the “Classify”
button, then "Apply".
Proportional circles: Under the Style tab, select the "Advanced" then style, then proportional fields, and
enter the expression indicated previously.
Add city name: See the Labels tab.
Change the colour of a raster band: Under the Style tab, select "singleband pseudocolor" under the render
type. Then specify a color palette and define an appropriate classification scheme. Finish by selecting
"Classify" and "Apply".
Raster calculator:
[Link]
