SCImago: Diamond Open Access journals within the Earth Planetary Sciences category

 In this post, I will explain how to search and filter diamond open cccess journals within the earth planetary sciences category using a reputed journal ranking platform known as Scimago.

What is SCImago?

SCImago Journal & Country Rank (scimagojr.com) is a free, publicly accessible online portal that provides scientific quality metrics and rankings for academic journals and countries.

Developed by a prominent Spanish research group, the website pulls its massive dataset directly from Elsevier's peer-reviewed Scopus database. It serves as a primary tool for researchers, universities, and students to evaluate the authority and credibility of global journals.

Unlike a basic citation count, the platform uses an algorithm modeled after Google's PageRank™. It measures a journal's prestige by factoring in both the number of citations and the reputation of the journals where those citations came from. A citation from a world-renowned journal like Nature carries much more weight than a citation from a niche, lesser-known journal.

The website splits journals within specific academic disciplines into four equal tiers based on performance:

• Q1 (Top 25%): The highest prestige and impact journals in that subject.
• Q2 & Q3 (Middle 50%): Moderate to good impact.
• Q4 (Bottom 25%): Lowest relative impact, often representing newer or highly localized publications.

Authors use it to search for a journal title and instantly view its historical trends, h-index, international collaboration rates, and lists of similar publications.

Academics heavily rely on scimagojr.com to find reputable places to publish their papers, avoid predatory fake journals, and check if a journal meets the strict "Q1" or "Scopus-indexed" publication standards required by their universities for graduation or career promotions.

What is a Diamond Open Access journal?

Academic journals are primarily categorized by how they are funded and who pays for the publishing costs. Academic journals are primarily categorized by their funding and publishing models, which determine who bears the financial costs. These distinctions define whether readers pay to access articles or if the costs are shifted to authors to make the research freely available.

The two dominant academic journal categories are:

1. Subscription-Based (Traditional/Paywalled) Journals:-  In this model, the publishing costs are covered by the readers or their institutions (usually university libraries) through subscription fees.

2. Open Access (OA) Journals:- In the Open Access model, the financial burden is shifted away from the reader. Instead, the costs of peer review, editing, and hosting are typically covered upfront by the authors, their academic institutions, or research funding bodies.

Common Open Access variations include:

1. Gold Open Access: Fully open access journals where the final version is freely available on the publisher's website, often funded by APCs.
2. Diamond (or Platinum) Open Access: Open access journals that do not charge APCs to authors. The publishing costs are instead subsidized entirely by scholarly societies, academic institutions, or non-profit grants.
3. Green Open Access: A model where an author publishes in a traditional subscription journal but self-archives a version of the paper (such as a preprint or accepted manuscript) in a free, public repository.
4. Hybrid Open Access: Subscription journals that allow authors to pay a fee to make their specific article open access, while the rest of the journal remains behind a paywall.

How to search for journals on SCImago

To filter for Open Access journals within the GIS, Geography, Geodesy or Earth Sciences categories on scimagojr.com, follow these step-by-step instructions:

Step 1: Open the Journal Rankings Page

1. Go to the SCImago Journal & Country Rank home page.
2. Click on the Journal Rankings button or link located at the top menu bar or center panel.

Step 2: Select the Broad Subject Area

1. Locate the drop-down menu labeled All subject areas.
2. Click it and select Earth and Planetary Sciences (this is the parent category that contains geodesy, mapping, and spatial geosciences).

 

Step 3: Narrow Down the Subject Category (Optional)

If you want to filter past generic earth sciences down to specific mapping disciplines:

1. Click the next drop-down menu labeled All subject categories.
2. Select a category like Computers in Earth Sciences (excellent for GIS/Cartography) or Earth-Surface Processes (where geodesy and satellite altimetry often live). If you want to see all available options, leave it on "All subject categories."

 

Step 4: Apply the Open Access Filter

1. Look right below the drop-down menus for a series of checkboxes.
2. Check the box that says "Only Open Access Journals".
3. Note: The platform automatically reloads the list. You will now see an open padlock icon next to every journal title left on the screen.

 

Step 5: Read the Results and Verify Q1 Status

• The list is automatically sorted by the SJR (SCImago Journal Rank) indicator from highest prestige to lowest.
• Look at the colored square or indicator next to the journal name. If it shows a green Q1 box, you have successfully found a top-tier Open Access journal in your field.

(Keep in mind: SCImago flags all "Open Access" journals, but it combines Gold OA and Diamond OA together. Once you find a promising Q1 journal on the list, click its title to visit its profile page and jump to the journal's official homepage to verify if it charges an author APC or if it is fully free/Diamond OA.)

 

 Note on scimagojr.com and the Scopus database, the broad subject area of Earth and Planetary Sciences is broken down into 14 distinct sub-disciplines (known as subject categories):

• General Earth and Planetary Sciences
• Atmospheric Science (Includes meteorology, climate dynamics, and atmospheric chemistry)
• Computers in Earth Sciences (Includes GIS, geoinformatics, spatial modeling, and cartographic data management)
• Earth-Surface Processes (Includes geomorphology, glaciology, and hydrology)
• Economic Geology (Focuses on mineral deposits, ore exploration, and fossil energy resources)
• Geochemistry and Petrology (The study of rock compositions and chemical processes within the Earth)
• Geology (Structural geology, stratigraphy, and general earth history)
• Geophysics (Seismology, magnetic mapping, crustal deformation, and geodesy)
• Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology (Application of geosciences to construction, mining, and civil engineering)
• Oceanography (Physical, chemical, and geological marine science)
• Paleontology (The study of fossils and prehistoric life forms)
• Space and Planetary Science (Astronomy-adjacent fields tracking remote sensing of other planets, asteroids, and space weather)
• Stratigraphy (The analysis of layered rock or soil strata over geological time)
• Earth and Planetary Sciences (miscellaneous) (Catch-all for highly interdisciplinary or localized research journals)

Thank you for reading.

Mapping Murder Cases In Nigeria By Geo Political Zones

 In this post, we shall learn how to map the 2023 StatiSense murder cases data in Nigeria by geopolitical zone.

To map the geopolitical zones dataset, we can use several essential mapping tools to build a choropleth map including using QGIS or Python with geopandas and matplotlib. 

To map this dataset in QGIS, we need to link the regional numbers to a digital map layer (Shapefile or GeoJSON) of Nigeria. Here is the exact step-by-step process to build the choropleth map.

Step 1: Download Nigeria's Geographic Data

QGIS needs a base map of Nigeria divided by states or geopolitical zones.

1. Go to a public repository like GRID3 Nigeria or Humdata.
2. Search for and download the Nigeria Administrative Boundary Level 1 (States) Shapefile.
3. Extract the downloaded .zip file into a dedicated folder on your computer.

Step 2: Prepare Your Murder Dataset

Create a clean spreadsheet so QGIS can read your numbers correctly.

1. Open Excel or Google Sheets.
2. Create two columns named exactly: Zone and Murders.
3. Fill in the data carefully:
   • North Central | 436
   • North West | 417
   • North East | 345
   • South West | 174
   • South East | 169
4. Save the file as a CSV (Comma Delimited) file named nigeria_murders.csv.

Step 3: Load Data into QGIS

1. Open QGIS Desktop.
2. Click Layer -> Add Layer -> Add Vector Layer.
3. Browse to your extracted shapefile folder, select the file ending in .shp, and click Add.
4. Click Layer -> Add Layer -> Add Delimited Text Layer.
5. Select your nigeria_murders.csv file.
6. Under Geometry Definition, choose No geometry (attribute table only), then click Add.

Step 4: Group States into Geopolitical Zones

Note: If your downloaded shapefile already has a "Zone" column, you can skip to Step 5.

1. Right-click your Nigeria shapefile layer in the Layers panel and select Open Attribute Table.
2. Click the Toggle Editing Mode icon (the yellow pencil).
3. Click Open Field Calculator.
4. Set the Output field name to Zone and change the field type to Text (string).
5. In the expression box, use a CASE statement to group the states. For example:
   sql

   CASE 
     WHEN "name" IN ('Kano', 'Kaduna', 'Katsina', 'Kebbi', 'Sokoto', 'Zamfara', 'Jigawa') THEN 'North West'
     WHEN "name" IN ('Kwara', 'Niger', 'Kogi', 'Benue', 'Plateau', 'Nasirawa', 'FCT') THEN 'North Central'
     -- Repeat for other zones based on the states in your shapefile
   END
   CASE
     WHEN "name" IN ('Kano', 'Kaduna', 'Katsina', 'Kebbi', 'Sokoto', 'Zamfara', 'Jigawa') THEN 'North West'
     WHEN "name" IN ('Kwara', 'Niger', 'Kogi', 'Benue', 'Plateau', 'Nasirawa', 'FCT') THEN 'North Central'
     -- Repeat for other zones based on the states in your shapefile
   END
   

Mapping least known countries making historic appearances in the 2026 FIFA World Cup

 The world's least-known and least-visited countries are primarily remote island nations, landlocked enclaves, and overlooked territories. Despite their obscurity, these destinations offer pristine, crowd-free environments and unique cultural histories. The least known and smallest countries making historic appearances in the 2026 FIFA World Cup include 'Bosnia and Herzegovina', Curaçao and Cape Verde, which are making their tournament debuts. This expanded 48-team tournament allows several lesser-known, smaller, and debutant nations to reach football's biggest stage.

Some destinations capture the imagination not because they dominate headlines, but because they remain delightfully off the radar. Today, we're mapping three such places: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Curaçao, and Cape Verde. Each offers a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty that defies their under-the-radar status.

But in 2026, these nations have something else in common: they're all making historic appearances on football's biggest stage. As the FIFA World Cup expands to 48 teams, these three have seized their moment, earning spots that will put them firmly in the global spotlight. Here's why you should know them both on the pitch and beyond.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina have officially taken the 2026 FIFA World Cup by storm. Written off ahead of the grueling UEFA play-offs, the "Dragons" produced a legendary, screen-worthy comeback. They survived a penalty shootout against Wales before completely shattering the script in Zenica, defeating heavy favorites Italy on penalties to punch their ticket to North America.

Guided by manager Sergej Barbarez, the squad beautifully bridges generations. Iconic 40-year-old captain Edin Džeko leads the front line, while breakout 21-year-old winger Esmir Bajraktarević—who ice-coldly slotted home the winning penalty against Gianluigi Donnarumma—injects fresh energy. Competing in just their second-ever World Cup, Bosnia and Herzegovina enter Group B with no fear, ready to battle Canada, Switzerland, and Qatar for a historic spot in the knockout stages.

From a cartographic perspective, Bosnia and Herzegovina boasts one of the most fascinating spatial layouts in the Balkan Peninsula. It occupies a central location in Southeastern Europe, structurally bridging the rugged interior of the Dinaric Alps with the Mediterranean basin.

Cartographically, its most striking feature is the Neum Corridor a historical 20-kilometer sliver of land cutting through Croatia to grant the nation its only access to the Adriatic Sea. Administratively, the map reflects a highly decentralized structure under the Dayton Agreement, split into the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republika Srpska, and the self-governing Brčko District.

Curaçao 

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has delivered its ultimate underdog fairytale. With a tiny population of just over 156,000 and a compact land area of 444 square kilometers, Curaçao has officially become the smallest nation in history to qualify for a World Cup, eclipsing the record previously held by Iceland.

Under the guidance of 78-year-old veteran manager Dick Advocaat, the "Blue Wave" engineered an astonishing, undefeated 10-match qualification campaign in the CONCACAF zone. After breezing through the second round, they faced an intense third-round group alongside Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Bermuda. The defining moment arrived on November 18, 2025, in Kingston. Needing a single point against heavyweights Jamaica, Curaçao’s disciplined defense ground out a historic 0-0 draw, topping Group B and booking their tickets to Group E.

Geographically, Curaçao is a hidden gem of the Lesser Antilles, nestled in the southern Caribbean Sea. Located roughly 65 kilometers (40 miles) north of the Venezuelan coast, it forms part of the ABC islands alongside Aruba and Bonaire.

From a cartographic perspective, the country is characterized by its elongated, narrow shape stretching from northwest to southeast. The capital city and major port of Willemstad splits the southwestern coast, acting as a crucial maritime gateway. Heavily influenced by its semi-arid climate, the rugged, low-lying topography is ringed by spectacular coral reefs, putting this tiny powerhouse firmly on both global travel and sports maps.

Cape Verde (Cabo Verde)

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is proving to be a tournament of jaw-dropping milestones, and Cape Verde (Cabo Verde) is riding the crest of that wave. Representing an archipelago home to barely 600,000 people, the "Blue Sharks" have captured global imagination by sealing their first-ever World Cup ticket, introducing themselves with a stunning 0–0 opening draw against European champions Spain.

Under the tactical masterclass of homegrown coach Bubista, Cape Verde engineered a staggering upset in CAF Group D. Anchored by a rock-solid low defensive block and efficient transition play, they went on a relentless run—winning 7 out of 10 qualification matches. The decisive moment came on October 13, 2025, when a convincing 3–0 triumph over Eswatini officially pushed them to 23 points, topping the table and completely eclipsing African powerhouse Cameroon.

From a geographic and cartographic viewpoint, Cape Verde's territory is an isolated, volcanic marvel. Located in the central Atlantic Ocean, the nation is an archipelago composed of 10 volcanic islands (nine of which are inhabited) and five islets, situated roughly 570 kilometers (350 miles) off the western coast of Senegal, West Africa.  The islands are uniquely divided into two primary horseshoe-shaped groups based on prevailing wind patterns: the Barlavento (Windward) islands to the north, including Santo Antão and Sal, and the Sotavento (Leeward) islands to the south, which include Santiago, home to the capital city of Praia. This rugged, mountainous maritime positioning historically made it a vital seafaring crossroads—and today, it serves as the foundation for one of the most resilient, tightly knit footballing families on the planet.

Conclusion

The historic appearances of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Curaçao, and Cape Verde at the 2026 FIFA World Cup remind us that maps are never truly static. In a single tournament cycle, these three distinct nations have fundamentally redrawn the boundaries of global football.

From a geospatial and cartographic perspective, their journeys reflect an incredible triumph over geographical constraints. Whether overcoming the intricate internal topography of the Balkans, navigating the isolated maritime coordinates of a volcanic Atlantic archipelago, or proving that a tiny 444-square-kilometer Caribbean island can stand toe-to-toe with global giants, these nations have bridged vast spatial divides through sheer sporting excellence.

For cartographers, researchers, and football enthusiasts alike, the lessons extend far beyond the pitch:

• Bosnia and Herzegovina proved that grit can unite complex administrative borders.
• Curaçao shattered records to show that small spatial scale does not dictate human potential.
• Cape Verde put its isolated Atlantic coordinates firmly at the center of the sporting world.

As the tournament progresses across North America, these "least-known" countries are no longer just fascinating anomalies or tiny dots on a reference map. They have earned their coordinates on the grandest stage of all, proving that on the pitch, every corner of the globe has a voice.

Comparison of AI Generated Cartographic Webmap

 In this post, I will provide a simple request in plain English to four AI tools (namely: Gemini, ChatGPT, DeepSeek and Grok) to compare the results we get. The prompt provided is this sentence below;-

Generate html webmap with all the necessary cartographic elements

Note that the request statement isn't detailed, as no specific location and technical functionality were provided. This is delibrate to see how each AI tool thinker and solve the problem.

Gemini

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
    <meta charset="UTF-8">
    <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
    <title>Professional Web Map Interface</title>
    
    <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://unpkg.com/leaflet@1.9.4/dist/leaflet.css" />
    
    <style>
        body { margin: 0; padding: 0; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Tahoma, Geneva, Verdana, sans-serif; }
        #map { height: 100vh; width: 100vw; }

        /* Map Legend Styling */
        .legend {
            padding: 10px;
            background: white;
            line-height: 1.5;
            color: #333;
            border-radius: 5px;
            box-shadow: 0 0 15px rgba(0,0,0,0.2);
        }
        .legend i {
            width: 18px;
            height: 18px;
            float: left;
            margin-right: 8px;
            opacity: 0.7;
        }

        /* Header Overlay */
        .map-header {
            position: absolute;
            top: 10px;
            left: 50px;
            z-index: 1000;
            background: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.9);
            padding: 5px 15px;
            border-radius: 4px;
            border: 1px solid #ccc;
        }
    </style>
</head>
<body>

<div class="map-header">
    <h2>City Infrastructure Overview</h2>
</div>

<div id="map"></div>

<script src="https://unpkg.com/leaflet@1.9.4/dist/leaflet.js"></script>

<script>
    // 1. Initialize the Map
    const map = L.map('map').setView([45.523062, -122.676482], 13);

    // 2. Base Layers (Cartography Element: Reference Frame)
    const osm = L.tileLayer('https://{s}.tile.openstreetmap.org/{z}/{x}/{y}.png', {
        attribution: '© OpenStreetMap contributors'
    }).addTo(map);

    const satellite = L.tileLayer('https://server.arcgisonline.com/ArcGIS/rest/services/World_Imagery/MapServer/tile/{z}/{y}/{x}', {
        attribution: 'Tiles &copy; Esri'
    });

    // 3. Data Layers (Thematic Elements)
    const parks = L.layerGroup();
    L.marker([45.528, -122.662]).bindPopup("<b>Holladay Park</b><br>Public Green Space").addTo(parks);
    L.marker([45.515, -122.684]).bindPopup("<b>Portland Art Museum</b><br>Cultural Center").addTo(parks);

    // 4. Layer Control (Interactivity)
    const baseMaps = {
        "Street Map": osm,
        "Satellite": satellite
    };
    const overlayMaps = {
        "Points of Interest": parks
    };
    L.control.layers(baseMaps, overlayMaps, {collapsed: false}).addTo(map);

    // 5. Scale Bar (Cartography Element: Measurement)
    L.control.scale({ imperial: true, metric: true, position: 'bottomleft' }).addTo(map);

    // 6. Custom Legend (Cartography Element: Symbology)
    const legend = L.control({position: 'bottomright'});
    legend.onAdd = function (map) {
        const div = L.DomUtil.create('div', 'legend');
        div.innerHTML += '<h4>Map Legend</h4>';
        div.innerHTML += '<i style="background: #2196F3"></i><span>Commercial</span><br>';
        div.innerHTML += '<i style="background: #4CAF50"></i><span>Parks</span><br>';
        div.innerHTML += '<i style="background: #F44336"></i><span>Critical Infrastructure</span><br>';
        return div;
    };
    legend.addTo(map);

</script>
</body>
</html>