Mapping the World
The importance of proper map research Case study #1: Titanic
The tragic outcome
The importance of proper map use Case study #2: Blair Witch Project
The fatal error
The result
If you know how to read a map… You will get along with your friends. You will find your way back home. You will live to a ripe old age.
If you don’t know how to read a map… You will argue and fight with your friends. You will cuss a whole lot. You will die a horrible, gruesome death at the hands of supernatural demons.
MAPS = LIFE
Maps Elements of a map Latitude and longitude Scale Map projection Types of maps Mental maps
Elements of a map POINTS –cities, sites, etc. LINES –boundaries, routes, etc. FILLS –political colors, thematic patterns, etc. TYPE/SYMBOLS –Labels, statistical charts, etc.
Spatial Change Over Time: Baseball Teams, 1952 and 1998
Spatial Interaction: Flows of Foreign Investment
Shuttle Columbia, Feb. 1, 2003
Latitude and Longitude Latitude lines (parallels) run East-West, labeled N or S 90 ˚ N Longitude lines (meridians) run North-South, labeled E or W. Santiago, Chile 33 ˚ 26’ S, 70 ˚ 40’ W Poniatowski, Wisconsin 45˚ N, 90˚ W International Date Line 180˚ Degree ˚ Minutes ‘
Poniatowski, Wisconsin 45˚ N, 90˚ W
Projections: Turning a globe into a map
World Map Projections
All Map Projections Distort… Distance, or Direction, or Shape, or A combination of the above.
Mercator Projection
Goode’s Homolosine Projection
Peters Projection
Robinson Projection
Shape distortions of projections Molleweide Mercator Cylindrical Equal-Area
Scale
Scale: Meaning #1 The size/scope of places being studied Local Global Think in terms of local issues vs regional, national, or global issues
Scale: Meaning #2 Shows the ratio of distance and area on Earth to the distance and area on a map Example: one cm on map equals 1 km Representations: –proportional fraction (1/100,000) –ratio (1:100,000) –bar scale –verbal statement
BAR SCALES RATIO
Opposite meaning of “scale” A large-scale map shows a small area A small-scale map shows a larger area A scale of 1/5,000 is a large-scale map compared to a scale of 1/1,000,000.
Types of maps Choroplethic –Uses choropleths, or existing (political) units Isometric –Uses isolines, or data lines (such as contours) Symbolic –Proportional representation, located charts, etc. Cartograms Or a combination of the above
Choroplethic map : Calorie supply
Isometric map : Spatial Diffusion of College Soccer
Isometric map: Time-Space Compression
Topographic map (using elevation contour isolines)
Proportional symbols map : AIDS victims
Located chart map: Population increase
Cartogram: Population growth rates
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Data-driven systems Allows merging (comparison) of data using layers of information on a map. Fastest growing area of geographic jobs Highly technical, centered in government and business
Mental (cognitive) maps of our geographical perceptions
New Yorker’s View of the World
The World as seen from Ukraine
Mental map interpretation Selection of information, details, labels Omission is as important as inclusion Proportions of sizes, scales, shapes Choice of physical or cultural features Relative placement of features Influence of personal experience Influence of media and world events Effect of core, periphery, semi-periphery