MEDIA RELEASE
February 28, 2007	Embargoed 11:30am (AEDT)	22/2007
Map your Census data: new ABS innovation

For the first time Australians can now map Census data for their region through the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) web site.

In preparation for the release of 2006 Census data later this year, the ABS has released the innovative 'QuickMaps' product loaded with 2001 Census statistics.

QuickMaps gives fast, easy access to thematic maps of Census data for a specific region, completely free of charge. This allows a range of users to easily understand their community and how it is changing.

This is the first time the ABS has released interactive thematic data on its web site. With over half a million maps to choose from, every Australian has the opportunity to discover something about themselves and the rest of the nation.

Interesting features of QuickMaps include:

• its thematic maps give a clear and understandable overview of the distribution of Census information without the need to analyse complex tables and data
• you can quickly and easily get thematic maps of small and large geographic regions, which depict basic Census data, such as ethnicity, income and education
• it is designed for a range of clients, with emphasis on the novice user, making it accessible to all Australians.

"A picture says a thousand words," said Director of ABS Census Products and Services, Michael Beahan.

"QuickMaps, with its unique mapping software, is wonderful way of representing where people are and their characteristics.

"This is also an excellent opportunity for journalists and users to understand what 2006 Census information will be available and familiarise themselves with the new simplified ABS Census web site."

QuickMaps, currently containing 2001 Census data, is the final product to be released in preparation for the 2006 data launch, now only a few months away. Two other new Census products, QuickStats and Census Tables, were both released in late 2006.

Users can access QuickMaps (cat. no. 2063.0) and more detailed product information from this website. Click 'Census', 'Census Data', '2001 Census Data by Product Type'.