Cartography Types of maps, their uses and symbols

Vocabulary Label as “Cartography” on your notes and copy these words into your glossary. Cartography Physical Map Thematic Map Chloropleth Map Proportional Symbol Map Isopleth Map Topographic Map Dot Map Scale Compass Rose

What is a map? A 2-dimensional representation of a 3- dimensional object. A generalized representation of the world. No map is ever completely accurate or complete.

Cartography Cartography (from Greek khartēs, "map"; and graphein, "write"), or mapmaking, has been an integral part of the human story for a long time, possibly up to 8,000 years. Cartography is the science and study of making maps.

Physical Maps Show a variety of basic information E.g. coastlines, cities, rivers, landforms Showing the basic land/sea data is the chief function of the map. Data is flat on the map (ex: mountain ranges may just be marked by words)

Thematic maps Show a particular theme. Other irrelevant information is filtered out. Settlements, landforms, coastlines etc may also be shown as points of reference.

Thematic Maps are usually used to prove a point. Ex: One might create a thematic map to show which political parties won which states in the 2012 Presidential Election

Choropleth Map (A Type of Thematic Map) Use color to show differences in values between various areas Advantage: easy to read Disadvantage: can be too generalized

Proportional Symbol Map(A Type of Thematic Map) Symbols are placed on the map to indicate the location of specific data The size (proportion) of the symbols represents the quantity of the data Advantage: data is more location-specific Symbol sizes can be confusing or cluttered.

Using symbols that add meaning

Using 3D Symbols

Isopleth (A Type of Thematic Map) Also known as contour maps Lines are used show areas of similar data. E.g elevation (height), temperature, pressure, humidity

Topographic Map (A Type of Isopleth Map) Show a lot of detail. Show elevation changes and differences in terrain. Useful for town and country planners and hikers.

Contour Line Topographic Map This map shows the elevation changes in the area around NC’s Blue Ridge Parkway.

Thematic maps – dot maps Dots are used to show the specific location of certain phenomena. E.g settlements, shops, deaths, earthquakes

John Snow’s cholera map, 1854

All maps need: A scale A compass rose (Showing the cardinal and intermediate directions). A key/legend Without these it is not a map, it is instead a diagram or a figure

Scale Shows how large objects on the map are in the real world In maps of geographical places, these scales usually deal with distance. Distance is shown with a scale bar like the one below. Source:

The Compass Rose Cardinal Directions: North East South West Intermediate Directions=NW, SW, SE, NE N = 0 0 E = 90 0 S = W = Convention: north normally points straight up on a map (but not always)

Fun Story Amerigo Vespucci was an Italian businessman, explorer and cartographer. After meeting and speaking with Columbus after his own initial voyage to the New World, Amerigo decided to leave his business on land and take to the seas as an explorer. He visited many of the destinations Columbus did, and created maps and kept journals. In 1507, German cartographer Martin Waldseemüler, proposed that the newly discovered Brazilian portion of the New World be labeled America, the feminine version of the name Amerigo, to honor Amerigo Vespucci. Decades later, in 1538, the cartographer Mercator, using Waldseemuler’s maps as a guide, chose to mark the name America on both the northern and the southern parts of “South America,” instead of just the southern portion. While the definition of America expanded to include more territory, Vespucci seemed to gain credit for areas that most would agree were actually first discovered by Christopher Columbus. In this way and many others, cartographers have altered people’s view of history and the world around them.

Early maps

Cartography Project Create a map of the US: Compass Rose with both cardinal and intermediate directions All states including boxes for Hawaii and Alaska States must be drawn in a realistic scale and shape with border lines mimicking closely to real U.S. maps All states must be labeled with their full names Lines of Latitude and Longitude (As appear on the latitude and longitude worksheet) The Mississippi, Columbia, Missouri, Ohio, Rio Grande, Colorado, and Hudson Rivers (draw in blue to the most accurate length you can). The Rocky Mountains and the Appalachian Mountains (shown with both words and raised mountainous bumps). The great lakes (all labeled) All, written labels MUST be gone over in ink NO scratch outs allowed