MAPS

IMaps as tools A.Maps are the major tool geographers use to identify regions and analyze their content. B.Maps make the large world easy to observe. C.All maps have strengths, weaknesses, and limitations D.All maps distort or misrepresent the real world.

IIMap Scale A.Map Scale is the relationship between the size or distance on a map and that same thing in the real world. The larger the number the smaller the scale! B.The smaller the scale, the larger portion of the world it will show and will be very general information C.Large scale shows small areas and the more accurate it will be to the real world D.The Larger the earth area shown (smaller scale) the more distortions there will be.

IIIMap Projections A.a map projection is the method or way we take a round world and put it on a flat map. B.All maps have some distortion. The major areas where cartographers work to minimize distortion are area, shape, distance, and direction. CSee pages for more info th ed

IVGlobe Grid A.The globe is divided up into a global grid with lines of Latitude (parallels) and Longitude (meridians) B.Key reference points are the north and south poles, and the equator. C.Latitudes measure distance north and south of the equator. D.Meridians measure east and west of the Prime Meridian (0 degrees)

VHow Maps Show Data A.Cartographers worry about distortion of maps, human geographers worry more about what spatial data the map represents. B.There are two major types of maps, general purpose and special purpose or thematic maps. C.general purpose maps also include reference maps. These maps show general human or physical features on earth, but do not offer any type of analysis or interpretation.

VIThematic maps A.Shows specific distribution of something or single category of data. B.Two types of thematic maps 1.Qualitative maps show distribution of items like a map of the USA and where the National Parks are. They just show were something is.National Parks 2.Quantitative maps show spatial characteristics of numerical data and how they differ from place to place.differ from place to place

Thematic Maps Qualatative – shows one thing-National Parks in US Quantitative – compares data – High School graduationHigh School graduation

VIITypes of Thematic Maps A. Graduated circle. Circles of different sizes to show differences in values. B. Isometric map use lines (isolines) that connect points of equal values. Topographic maps use a type of isoline called a contour line to connect places of similar elevations. Isopleth maps may connect areas with similar averages and then those areas may be shaded in. C. Choropleth map will show average values using existing boundaries or boarders. Population per county for example. D. Statistical map show the actual value per existing boundaries. A Cartogram uses actual statistics then transform the area so the size matches the value E. Just like all maps, thematic maps can be misleading, show biases and distort facts. It is the responsibility of geographers to know the map types there strengths and weaknesses to clearly understand the map message.

Cartogram

Isometric map/contour lines

VIIIRemote Sensing A.Remote sensing is detecting the nature of a place from a distance. Usually done through heat sensing or photographs. B.Used mainly in tracking pollution, ocean currents, weather patterns, etc. Used airplanes first then satellites.weather patterns C.GIS and GPS used together to read the topography of the World Trade Center after the Sep. 11, 2001 bombing. (read p14)

IXGeographic Information Systems (GIS) AComputers enable geographers to digitize information B.Digitized maps can be used together to analyze, investigate and display geographic information. C.GIS is computer software as well as data banks. By using these together we can create maps the overlay each other with different data values to discover patters on the earths landscape. D.One of the fastest growing employment fields in the world!

XMental Maps A.Not all of our perceptions of the world are found on paper. Our maps we have in our head based on our experiences, observations, and knowledge are call Mental Maps. B.With mental maps we keep what we value and leave out what we think is not as valuable. C.Our mental maps are as real to us as paper maps. We use our mental maps every time we decide to go anywhere. If there is traffic, we come up with ways to get around it.