1. Maps and Map Types

2. What is a map? Now what does that mean?
A map is a representation, usually on a flat surface, of the features of an area of the earth or a portion of the heavens, showing them in their respective forms, sizes, and relationships according to some convention of representation.
Now what does that mean?

3. A map is a representation, usually on a flat surface,
A map is a drawing or model
usually on a flat surface,
of a round Earth on a flat surface,
of the features of an area of the earth
that shows the landforms (mountains, rivers, etc.)
or a portion of the heavens,
or part of the sky in a particular region,
showing them in their respective forms, sizes, and relationships
drawn to scale
according to some convention of representation.
using an accepted form of drawing or model.

4. There are three basic types of maps:
PHYSICAL
POLITICAL
and THEMATIC.

5. Physical Maps Show the natural features of the Earth.
Do not contain man-made features.
For example, a physical map would be a map of what you would see if you were looking down on Earth from space.

6. When you look at this map, what do you see?
Notice you do not see any country borders or city markings. That’s because these divisions are created by humans. For example, there is no actual line dividing Texas from its bordering states.
Some astronauts (with the use of binoculars believe it or not) are able to see roads, large ocean tankers, and even the Great Pyramids from space, at very high altitudes. However, none of these are visible in this picture. All you can see are natural land formations.

7. Physical: Contour Maps
A contour map is a physical map which shows elevation.

8. Political Maps
Show how humans have impacted the landscape. For example, city names, roads, country borders, etc. are all part of political maps.
Change frequently (physical maps change very, very slowly through geologic processes) and must be redrawn often.
A political map of the world that is 50 years old is no longer accurate.
Wars and ethnic conflict are two major causes political maps change.

9. Political Maps

10. Thematic Maps
Can represent a variety of information including things like climate, precipitation, vegetation, elevation, population, life expectancy, etc.
Are generally used when you are looking at a single piece of information.

12. Creating a Thematic Map
If a classroom is set up in the following manner…

13. Now choose what you want to know…
I would like to know which pizza toppings students prefer to eat from the following list:
Pepperoni, Hamburger, Cheese, or Sausage.
I would then ask the students to choose from this list of toppings and record the results.

14. Next I had to choose a way to represent the information you have gathered. I have chosen to use different colors so that we may see the distribution of topping preferences.

15. For example, the thematic map of my classroom may look like this…
Pepperoni
Hamburger
Cheese
Sausage

16. According to this thematic map of the classroom, which pizza topping is the most popular?

17. Creating a Thematic Map
You are now going to create a thematic map for your class.
You will poll your classmates to find out if the own a dog, a cat, both, or neither.
Use the handout to record the information.

18. Now you will create a thematic map of your classmates and their seat locations.
Option 1
Cat
Both
Neither