Map Projections & Types of maps AP Human Geography

Map projections

Map projections Cartographers have to deal with the problem of making maps of a spherical earth onto a flat surface  this leads to distortions Shape can be distorted Distance between two points can increase or decrease Relative size may be altered, areas can appear much larger than they really are Direction can be distorted

Robinson projection

Robinson projection More accurately shows the area near the poles Used to show proportions of land to water Distorts cardinal directions and distance

Mercator projection Used primarily for navigation since it is easiest to plot direction Increased distortion the further away from the equator Makes the North look much larger

Gall-peters projection

Gall-peters projection Focuses more on land area accuracy More accurately shows southern hemisphere as larger than northern hemisphere Areas near the poles are stretched horizontally

Goode Homolosine projection

Goode homolosine projection) “Orange Peel” Normally it is presented with multiple interruptions. Its equal-area property makes it useful for presenting spatial distribution. Disadvantage – breaks in continuity or interruptions

Polar Projection

Types of maps

Maps as a tool to understand spatial patterns Maps can give insight to how a phenomenon is occurring and provide the starting point for understanding the why Example: A doctor figures out why a group of specific people are getting cholera by using a map to see they were all living in the same general area and using the same water pumps, which were causing the cholera outbreak

Choropleth maps A map showing quantity by area. It uses shades of colors to show intervals

Cartogram Map Size represents a given number value Good for comparing the amount of any given subject. Comparing Republican verse Democratic votes

Isoline maps A map that is used to display distributions. It consists of lines that connect to show equal value

Proportional (graduated) circle maps Shows location and amount Of a given subject

Dot maps

Graphic Information System( (GIS) Use of technology, GPS, Google Streets etc. to show layers of information

Mental Map

Caution: maps can be deceiving! Every map is flawed in some way Cartographers can be wrong, include inaccurate data, or make you perceive something differently that they want you to see by distorting the map

Tricky Question The Bible Belt is an region in the Southern United States in which socially conservative evangelical Protestantism plays a strong role in society and politics, and Christian church attendance across the denominations is generally higher than the nation's average. Functional/Nodal Formal Perceptual/Vernacular