1. The History of Mapmaking and New Mapmaking Technology

2. Early Cartographers
Early cartographers climbed to the highest point they could find to draw a map.
This is called plane-table surveying and was the main method of mapping before the 1940’s.
This was very dangerous, inaccurate and time consuming.

3. Unfortunately, aerial photography can only be used on clear days.
Remote Sensing is any form of data collection from above the land surface.
Aerial photographs were the first tool used to improve map making
Unfortunately, aerial photography can only be used on clear days.

4. Radar
Radar allowed cartographers to “see through” clouds to collect data.
Radar sends a signal toward Earth, which bounces off the surface and is reflected back to the transmitter.
Computers process the data and create maps.

5. Satellite Technology
The first satellite to study Earth itself was Landsat 1, launched in 1972.
Landsat detects solar energy reflected from the earth’s surface.
Computers process the data into images and maps.
akikoma.remos.iwate-u.ac.jp/.../ landsat-s.jpg

6. Landsat Images
False color is used in Landsat images to make the varying energy easier to see.
Healthy vegetation Red
Pavement/Bare ground Bright
Urban Areas Blue/gray
Still water Black
snowcover.gsfc.nasa.gov/ gra/2.comps/landsat.i...

7. Sample Landsat Images
Southern Dubai in 1973 (left) and in 2006 (right). The famous manmade Palm Islands are easily discernible on the Landsat image.

8. The Station Fire in southern California started Wednesday, August 26, The orange colored areas have been burned and the active fires are the brightest spots in the image.
Sample Landsat Images
Station Fire California

9. Ridge and Valley Province, Pennsylvania, USA

10. Greenland - Petermann Glacier

11. Mississippi River Delta

12. Manicouagan Impact Structure, Quebec, Canada

13. Global Positioning System (GPS)
Can be used to find position, speed, and time anywhere and anytime.
It is not affected by bad weather.
Can be used on land, at sea, or in the air.

14. 3 Parts of GPS Space – 24 satellites in circular orbit around Earth
Control - Master control station is in Colorado Springs, CO
User - Receivers that allow people to use the system.

15. Uses of GPS Scientific studies Banking and business trading Navigation
Measurements of Earth
Navigation
Games
Earth Monitoring

16. Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
GIS combines data from a variety of sources to give you a better understanding of a certain place.
Cartographers layer selected data together into 1 map based on what the user wants.

17. What can GIS do? Provide driving directions
Show population density to urban planners
Track pollutants in different areas.
Identify cancer incidences and illustrate patterns.
Examine patterns of wildlife distribution.
This map shows population density in the east Asian and Indian Ocean regions.

18. Other Uses of GPS