The Geographer’s Tools Chapter 1 Section 2 The Geographer’s Tools

Maps & Globes A geographer’s tools include maps, globes, & data that can be seen in different ways. A globe is a three-dimensional representation of the earth. Maps are two-dimensional representation of selected parts of the earth’s surface. Cartographer is a map maker. Map projection is a way of drawing the earth’s surface that reduces distortion caused by presenting a round earth on flat paper.

Cont. Physical maps: they show the types of landforms and bodies of water found in a specific area. Political maps: show features on the earth’s surface that humans created. It will include cities, states, provinces, territories, or countries.

Physical & Political Maps

Three Types of Maps General reference maps, also called a topographic map; Its representation is of natural and man-made features on the earth. Navigation maps, they are used for direction. Thematic maps: emphasize specific kinds of information; population, climate, economics etc.

Thematic Maps: which focus on specific types of information; Climate, vegetation, natural resources, population density, & economic activities. Qualitative maps: use colors, symbols, dots, or lines to help you see patterns related to a specific idea. Cartograms: present information about a country based on a set of data other than land area. Flow-line maps: illustrate movement of people, goods, ideas, animals, or even glaciers.

Topographic Map

The Science of Mapmaking A Cartographer decides what type of map to create by considering how the map will be used. Surveying: they observe, measure, & record data. Remote Sensing: data is gathered primarily by aerial photography or by satellites. The data consists of information such as elevation, land cover, & difference in temperature.

How Satellites Gather Map Data It orbit the earth Instruments measure invisible electromagnetic waves The data is first converted to code & then to pixels Computer then converts pixels to usable images.

Satellites Landsat: a series of satellites that orbit more than 100 miles above the entire earth in 16 days. Geostationary Operational Enviroment satellite (GOES); is a weather satellite. Geographic Information Systems (GIS): it stores information about the world in a digital base. Global Positioning System (GPS): The system uses a series of 24 satellites called Navstars; it is used to determine location.

Geographic Information Systems

Global Positioning System

Projections: shows the curved surface of the earth on a flat map. Planar Projections also called azimuthal projections Conical projection Cylindrical projections: is projection onto a cylinder. 3 types Mercator, homolosine, & Robinson

Problems with maps? Distance, shape, direction, or area may be distorted by projection

Planar Projections: also called the azimuthal projection is a projection on a flat surface. This type of map gives the shortest distance between the two points.

Conical projection: is a projection onto a cone Conical projection: is a projection onto a cone. It often use to show large area of landmasses going east and west.

Cylindrical projections: is projection onto a cylinder Cylindrical projections: is projection onto a cylinder. This projection shows the entire earth on one map. 3 types Mercator, homolosine, & Robinson

Equal areas Places shown have the same proportions as they do on Earth Equal areas Places shown have the same proportions as they do on Earth. Example: Greenland 1/8 land area of S. America

Conformality Having correct shapes. Shows true shapes Conformality Having correct shapes. Shows true shapes. Can show larger areas as closely as possible to their true shapes

Questions 1.What is an advantage & a disadvantage of a of a globe? It 3 dimensional and so it shows the earth as it is in space. Not as portable as maps. 2.What is an advantage and disadvantage of maps? They are portable; distortion occurs in flattening the earth’s surface to create a map. 3. What are three basic map types, and what do they show? General reference shows natural & man-made features, Thematic maps show specific information, such as climate zones, & Nautical maps provide information needed to navigate though air or water.

Cont. 4. What is the first step in making a map and how is it done? Surveying or collecting data by means of aerial photography or satellites. 5. What is Landsat? A series of satellites that orbit more than 100 miles above the earth every 16 days.

6. What is GPS, and how is it used? A computer technology that helps mapmakers combine geographic data about a location from several sources. 7.What is GPS? A series of satellites that beam location information to earth.