More information on Ecumene

Censuses:

• 2006, 2001, 1996, 1991, 1986, 1981, 1976 (national population ecumene)
• 2006, 2001, 1996, 1991, 1986, 1981, 1976 (national agricultural ecumene)
• 1986 (urban population ecumene for 12 census metropolitan areas)

Remarks:

Ecumene is derived from the Greek root oixos meaning inhabited and nenon meaning space.

Statistics Canada delineates the population and agricultural ecumenes as follows:

1. The national population ecumene includes dissemination blocks with a minimum population density of 0.4 persons per square kilometre (about one person per square mile). To ensure visibility for small-scale thematic mapping, the detailed ecumene limits are manually generalized and small, discontiguous ecumene pockets are aggregated. There is at least one ecumene pocket in every census division (CD).
2. The national agricultural ecumene includes all dissemination areas with 'significant' agricultural activity. Agricultural indicators, such as the ratio of agricultural land on census farms relative to total land area, and total economic value of agricultural production, are used. Regional variations are also taken into account. The ecumene is generalized for small-scale mapping.
3. The urban population ecumene was created specifically for the 12 census metropolitan areas in the 1986 Metropolitan Atlas Series. The delineation of the ecumene was based on residential and some institutional land uses. Similar to the national ecumene, the detailed urban ecumene limits were manually generalized. There was at least one ecumene pocket in every 1986 census tract (CT).

It is recommended that the ecumene concept be used for dot and choropleth maps. If an ecumene is not applied to dot maps, the requisite number of dots may be randomly spread over entire unit areas; this approach defeats the main attributes of dot mapping (i.e., showing correct location, extent and density of the dot symbols). One of the inherent limitations of choropleth maps is that the statistical distribution is assumed to be homogeneous or uniformly spread over each unit area, and is consequently represented by tones or colours covering the entire unit. Thus, an ecumene renders a more accurate depiction of the spatial distribution of data.

The national population and agricultural ecumene files, which are suitable for small-scale mapping only, are based on the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD83). The urban population ecumene files, which are appropriate for medium scales, were based on the North American Datum of 1927 (NAD27).

Refer to related definitions of cartographic boundary files (CBFs ); datum; dissemination area (DA); dissemination block (DB); Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI); and, thematic map. For more information on the derivation of the urban population ecumene, refer to the 1986 Metropolitan Atlas Series (Catalogue nos. 98-101 to 98-112).

Changes prior to the current census:

For 2001, blocks (the term used in 2001) were used to delineate the national population ecumene.

Prior to 2001, there was at least one agricultural ecumene pocket in every census division (CD) for which data were published by the Census of Agriculture. As well, the criteria for delineating or updating the national population and agricultural ecumenes were different. All ecumene files were based on NAD27.

For 1996, the national population ecumene was available on a cost-recovery basis only.