Table 1: It gives a sample of the attribute data (attribute table) which could be geographically linked to regions.

 

The attribute data go through a number of processing stages. In the meantime, the data tables would be imported into the data base intended for this purpose. Subsequently, a custom-designed coding system would be applied (it would be clarified at later stages). Titles and types of the fields (text - number) shall be kept in line with the databases intended for that purpose.  It is noticeable that the Population and Housing Atlas provides huge amount of text data. So, the preparation of atlas databases may relatively take long time. 

 

  Geographical (spatial) data preparation:  Data that illustrate the geographical maps of Saudi Arabia with its different administrative divisions (regions, governorates, etc). Using a geographical information technology, the digitization of administrative borders is going on to make every governorate includes municipalities and populated localities depending on the administrative (Regions and governorates) applied by the Ministry of Interior. For that end, 1:250,000-scale topographic maps generated by General Commission for Survey and Saudi Geological Survey Organization in addition to the field surveys carried out in various localities using the GPS technology. 

When the digitization of the administrative divisions comes to end, a similar coding of geographical data shall be carried out to fit the coding mentioned in the attribute data preparation stage to make all geographical data ready for the linking stage (the next stage).

Figure 4: It shows the government coding to make spatial data ready to be linked wit the attribute data.

     Linking attribute data to the spatial data: This stage starts immediately when the two previous stages end (spatial and attribute data preparation) as the coding mentioned above during the linking process is used provided that the nature of the geographical distribution maps - subject of production process - should be taken into consideration. The carefully selected data shall be linked together before the review processes which would take place (cross checking) to ensure that databases are in sound condition after the linking. Eventually, all data available shall be converted to GeoDatabase format to be ready for different geographical analyses. 

Second: Design Development and Application (145 days)

It is one of the most important atlas production stages as the initial perceptions of the atlas' components at different administrative levels which would be included in the atlas in addition to the census indicators which are intended to be put under highlight and languages used to right the text. 

In this context, the atlas is divided into four main sections:   

Introduction, General Information about the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and General Information About the Census: In this section, the kingdom's profile is becoming touchable (the locations, areas, geographical features, climate, National Day, flag, emblem and the currency). Also, it gives a glimpse on the perception of the general population and housing census, main goals and the scope of application. 
Regional divisions and indices:  Meticulously, this part explains the administrative divisions of the kingdom. Saudi Arabia is divided into 13 regions, each region has its own map that illustrate the sub-divisions (governorates) those are given a unique code (number) which is used later as references for governorate under the census indicators in other pages of the atlas. Figure (5) shows a detailed maps for Makkah and its governorates. 

Figure 5: Figure 5: Sample of indices mentioned at the beginning of the atlas to guide the reader to the administrative sub-divisions in regions and codes (number) stand for every governorate.

Demographic characteristics at level of regions and governorates:  In this part, the atlas addresses the population characteristics which are divided into five main features according to the detailed results of the Population and Housing Census (The Demographic characteristics, educational characteristics, economic characteristics, disabilities, housing and household characteristics). The Geographic Information System (GIS) technologies open the door for reorganization and analysis of geographical information entangled with huge amount of text information and databases. In this part, the results of the census could be altered into percentages referring to the 13 regions. For example, under the illiteracy rates indicator in every region (10+ years), a percentage hue-graded graph may be drawn (Figure 6) to order regions from highest to lowest illiteracy rates.  

Figure 6: It is an example for the distribution of illiterate population (10 years and above) by region.

Guided by these distributions, the planners can facilely build new plans and development programs to address illiteracy in the regions with higher rates.  

In part of the atlas, some points were taken into consideration:

Standard data distribution:  Data could be added to maps in different ways according to the nature of data and distribution. These ways should be closely scrutinized to pick the one that fits the nature of data. Consequently, the different ways of demographic data distribution are considered along with the study of the best and the most commonly used techniques in the statistical data field according to the benchmark researches.  Different ways to apply statistical distributions on the maps: 
Quantile
In this way, the data shall be put in ascending order from bottom up to the maximum value, then the division shall be sub-divided into categories and each category shall include an equal number of values. The shape of value distribution is not taken into consideration under this way. Sometimes, the same value may be found under two different categories the matter might give misleading impression about the distributions.  Disadvantages of this method include the poor organization of categories which may lead to vast gaps between categories. 

Equal Interval

This method sets the value ranges in each category equal in size pay no attention to the value distribution.  The entire range of data values in each category shall be the same (max - min).

Having the shape of value distribution not taken into account is the problem of this way of classification because it likely concentrates values under a specific category.

 Standard Deviation

The standard deviation classification method shows how much an attribute value varies from the mean. Particularly useful for economic and physical studies such as temperature, wind and other natural phenomena with planar distributions which depend on arithmetic averages to get analyses. 

 Natural breaks

Natural breaks classes are based on the nature of data. The range is set only when a surprise or big difference appears in data values. Convergent data values put together under one class. Different classes are properly distributed under this way. 
This method is applied to prepare this atlas, and it is calculated by the GIS software according to the Jenks natural breaks optimization (Jenks). It depends on the adequate classification by the clearest values on the map. 

Languages:  Arabic is the main language used to prepare this atlas, but it is backed by an equivalent English text to make it readable by embassies of the Kingdom worldwide and to make it easier for the specialized experts. 
Design of Atlas Pages: A study would be carefully carried out on every page of the atlas to maximize benefits of every part of the pages

to shed light on a piece of census information or to make statistical comparisons. Hence, several alternatives are in place to cover almost all eventualities. The following may be taken into account for the pages content: 

•  Distributions Map (one map or more)
•  Graph (or Graphs)
•  Statistical Tables 

During the design stage, imaginary pages of the atlas would be built (Figure 7-9-11), in which positions of the distribution maps, graphs and tables would be marked. Many options for the maps would be available on the same page to put all related maps in the same place. The number of maps that address one variable may reach up to nine (Figure 10).  
•    Administrative level:  The atlas provides analyses on the population distributions by administrative levels (Regions and governorates). So, every level shall be highlighted in every page. A circle-like shape in specific color would be used on the margin of every page in which the subject level shall be mentioned (figure 7-8-9-10-11-12). 
Demographic characteristics: Atlas addresses five main population characteristics (as mentioned above) that decorate the header of each page with a specific color

•    while the name of every classification would be placed at the top right corner of the page.  The maps of the same population characteristic's distributions would be drawn in unique hues of a unified color that matches other color dominating the page (Figure 7-8-9-10).
•    Graphs and tables: A space in every page would be allocated for illustrative graphs that provide comparisons between the ratios of the subject study to brief the researcher about the page content. The sections allocated for the governorates include bar charts of the variable values in governorates marked with the specified codes. 
Statistical tables are also imported to let the researcher know the detailed variables of the subject study making the atlas perfect statistical book. 
•    Source of information:  The atlas depends on data provided in the Population and Housing Census 1425H. The sources of data provided in every page are linked to definite references. Whenever a researcher takes photocopy of a page, the references would be seen anytime.  A Data Source box would be attached to every page in the atlas. 
Figures 6-11 would give examples on the page designs and practical techniques for using these designs. 

Figure 8: An example for applying the distribution maps on the design appears in Figure 6

Third: Review and quality control (103 days): 

Once the pages are edited, the atlas undergoes a number of stages of review and quality control to ensure sound information provided. Through the review process, issues which may appear in the previous stages are being diagnosed for the proper remedy strategy. The review is divided into three sub-stages: 
 Internal Revision:  It is carried out at the GAStat's maps department (the atlas author). This process starts at the beginning of work on the atlas and ends only when published. During the data preparation, the text data were revised after linking with the geographical data to make sure the linking process was made properly. All data and geographical distributions are examined for review in order to achieve the following: 

•  Matching the geographical distribution of population variable maps with the statistical tables in the census results;
•  Matching tables attached to maps with the counter tables in census results;
•  Matching charts and the included ratios with the census results;

Proofreading main and sub-titles of the Arabic and English texts including the map keys, table names and titles of graphs. 
External revision:  The revision that is carried out on the atlas content by a non-GAStat team comprising experts from the Ministry of Economy and Planning for feedback and scientific advice. 

•   In addition to the language review, the atlas would be studied by statistics academics for scientific and technical advice. 
•   Final changes recommended in feedback:  After the internal and external revision, a list is set to compile notes and mistakes, if any. Afterwards, all changes shall be made ahead of the final copy printing to be duplicated in the printing stage (to be discussed bellow).

Fourth: Printing and Distribution (91 days):

The printing and distribution stage is the latest stage on the Population and Housing Atlas production process. During this stage, the atlas takes its final shape after making sure it is error-free following the revision and quality control. The printing stage goes through the following steps: 
The International Standard Book Number (ISBN) may be extractedKing Fahad National Library's Index which is the reference number of the atlas according to the library standard numbering system. It shall be put on the inner and outer cover.
Printing an internal copy (for map unit internal use) of the atlas in the final colors so that it is used as a template at the printing and distribution house. It has the same colors, page order and content.
The digitization of the hard copy in TIFF format printed in the color model (CMYK) which is lets the printing house to separate colors and prepare paper for the press.
 
The printing of the atlas at the Printing and Publishing House using the digital TIFF copy to make sure the final edition of the atlas is 100-percent matching the internally printed copy. Visits shall be periodically paid for the printing and publishing house to review the reader edition.
At the moment that printing process is completed, copies of the atlas should be distributed to the beneficiary agencies, e.g. ministries, government entities, authorities, embassies, research centers, universities, academic institutions, and libraries.