Not everyone sees the world in the same way.

 Geography is often said to begin with the question: Where? Although this question can be answered in many ways the basic tool for finding the answer is location. Lines on globes and maps provide information that can help you locate places. These lines cross one another, forming a pattern called a grid system. This system helps you find exact places on the Earth’s surface.

 Parallels: Parallel to the Equator, measure the distance north and south of the Equator in degrees. Equator measured at 0° latitude, the poles are 90 ° N and 90° S.  North latitude: Parallels north of the Equator  South latitude: Parallels south of the Equator

 Meridians: Circle the Earth from Pole to Pole. Run east and west of the Prime Meridian.  Prime Meridian: Line of longitude that runs through the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, England.  East longitude: Places east of the PM  West longitude: Places west of the PM

 Absolute location: A global address where latitude and longitude lines cross exactly at that place.  Example: Tokyo, Japan is located at 36°N latitude and 140°E longitude.  Minutes: Give a more precise reading; each degree of latitude and longitude is subdivided into 60 units.

 Just like a graph in math class.  Why is this grid no good?

 A globe is a scale model of the earth. Because the earth is round, a globe presents the most accurate depiction of geographic information such as area, distance, and direction. However, globes show little close-up detail.  A printed map is a symbolic representation of all or part of the planet on a flat piece of paper. Unlike globes, maps can show small areas in great detail. Another advantage of printed maps is that they can be folded, stored, and easily carried from place to place.

 Cartographers: Mapmakers  Issues: When the curves of the globe become straight lines on a map, distortion of size, shape, distance, or area occurs.

Why is there disparity between to two? Point of View

 Author/Publisher -- Knowing who created the map may offer hints as to the map's bias or biases. Does this person or organization have a vested interest in how the map is perceived by the map reader? For example, "town plats," maps created by western promoters, were aimed at attracting prospective settlers. Often they were purely propaganda.  Place of Publication -- In what country or city was the map published? What language(s) does the map employ? This could provide insights into potential nationalistic biases.

 Date -- When the map was constructed helps to place the map in its chronological context. Does the map reflect true facts? Post-1990 maps of Europe should show one Germany, not two.  Audience -- Who was the intended audience? What message did the mapmaker want to send? Why was the map produced?  Source of Data -- If the map uses secondary data sources, such as census material, knowing the source of the data will help in assessing the appropriateness of the data and thereby the map.

 Origin -- Was the map drawn? printed in limited numbers? mass-produced? This is often related to the date the map was initially created.  Context -- How does the map fit with earlier and later maps? How does the map reflect new discoveries?

 Just as historians cannot record every minute detail of an event, cartographers cannot show all aspects of a place. In the case of maps, more details about the world are omitted as the map's scale becomes smaller. This process is called map simplification.

This was a map showing an acoustic wave travel in the ocean is centered on Heard Island where the test was administered.

Why would a cartographer center a map this way????

Who makes the final decisions on borders, etc? National Geographic would be a good idea, but they have no real authority. That is why some countries borders look different. This is South Sudan. The world’s newest country, but…. Sudan doesn’t agree. And then there is the area in yellow where there are oil deposits – this is Abyei. It is claimed by both Sudan and South Sudan.

Korean point of view Japanese point of view

Here is the country of Kurdistan – the only problem…… No country recognizes them as independent. Iran, Iraq, Turkey and parts of Syria have swallowed up this region that was once an area ruled by the Kurds.

This is an English version of a Chinese map. Notice all of the provinces….. That’s right… China claims Taiwan is the 23 rd province (state) of China. Taiwan believes it is an independent nation – the Republic of China

Kosovo became an independent and recognized country in 2008, but Serbia does not recognize Kosovo’s independence.

Size doesn’t matter – it’s location. This is Gibraltar. It is owned by the UK. This gives them access to the Strait of Gibraltar and the possibility of blocking the strait. Military control of chokepoints is of strategic importance. Spain claims this land.

And last, but not least….. Who owns Mt. Everest? Nepal or China?