1.  Type of Map (thematic* or reference)
Maps: Two-dimensional, scaled representations of Earth surface - show spatial data (data with locational component)
Cartography (map-making) involves 5 design decisions – based on purpose of map
 Projection
 Simplification
 Scale
 Aggregation
 Type of Map (thematic* or reference)
DISCUSSION:
* Break this definition down and explain what each part means.

2. THEMATIC MAPS – depict characteristics of places
Categorical type
- Depict areas that are different in kind
- Use several distinct colors to show different categories
desert forest tundra
Examples: climates, religions
Choropleth type
- Depict areas that are different in amount
- Use shades of similar colors to show different values
high value medium low value
Examples: population density, literacy rates

3. Example of “categorical map”

4. Example of “choropleth map”
Human Development Index (HDI) Rankings
Includes GNI/PPP, Literacy, and Life Expectancy
Which regions have high HDI?
Which regions have low HDI?
Which places are exceptions?

5. Isoline type (Average Daily Solar Radiation)
Lines connect points of equal value
DISCUSSION:
* Do you have a preference among these two types of maps?
* Do you find one of these easier to understand than the other?
Dot Density type (Wisconsin Acreage in Potatoes)
Each dot represents a frequency of mapped variable

6. Proportional Symbol Map (Graduated Circle type)
Size of symbol varies in relation to frequency or intensity of the mapped variable
DISCUSSION:
* What are some of the advantages of each of the four types of thematic maps?
Proportional Symbol Map (Flow Vector type)

7. Systematic methods of transferring a spherical surface to a flat map
Sample Map Projections
Systematic methods of transferring a spherical surface to a flat map
Distortion must occur in either size, shape, distance, or direction – all projections are compromises
Mercator
DISCUSSION:
* How are these two map projections different?
* Which do you prefer? Which one is more popular?
Robinson
Polar

8. (They distort shapes to make sizes correct.)
Equal-Area projections best where purpose is to compare distributions of a variable between places
(They distort shapes to make sizes correct.)
What impressions do you get from this map?

9. Larger-scale shows less land area in more detail. Used on local maps.
The ratio of map distance to earth distance, measured in the same units
Map Scale
smaller scale
Sample Area Covered Fraction Scale Verbal Scale
World 1:78,000,000 1 in = 1,250 mi
No. America 1:36,000,000 1 in = mi
Central U.S. 1: 4,000,000 1 in = mi
AAA Colo map 1: 1,267,200 1 in = mi
larger scale
Smaller-scale shows more land area in less detail. Used to show global patterns.
Larger-scale shows less land area in more detail. Used on local maps.

10. The scale at which one analyzes an issue is critical
DIA – Only major U.S. airport built since 1980
At the national scale, why did the location of this airport make sense?
At the local scale, why was it necessary to locate the airport where it is?
DISCUSSION:
* Think about the nearest major airport to where you live. How close is it to the center of the city whose name it carries?
* Can you think of examples around the country where the airport is not even in the city whose name it carries? Why is this?
* Does this issue matter when viewing a map at the national scale? Urban scale?

11. Map Aggregation
The level of detail for dividing a thematic map into geographic units
Ranges from coarse divisions (e.g., by countries) to fine divisions (e.g., by zip codes)
DISCUSSION:
* Is it likely that educational levels within California are the same in all parts of the state?
* Are there parts of your state or province that you think probably have a higher than average percentage of Bachelor's degrees?
Percent of 1990 pop age 25+ with bachelor's degree
Data aggregated by State

12. Note what information is lost at higher levels of aggregation
Percent of pop age 25+
with bachelor's degree (1990)
Note what information is lost at higher levels of aggregation
Aggregated by State (northeast close-up)
Aggregated by County (WV, MA)
DISCUSSION:
* What can you learn about educational levels within West Virginia and Massachusetts on the local map that you can't see on the national map?

13. 2004 Presidential Election Red = Bush; Blue = Kerry
State results, by land area
County results, by land area
State results, by population
County results, by population
Source: M. Gastner, C. Shalizi, and M. Newman, University of Michigan

14. 2004 Presidential Election
Red = Solidly Bush (70% +)
Purples = divided … redder = Bush majority; bluer = Kerry majority
Blue = Solidly Kerry (70%+)
By land area
By population
Source: M. Gastner, C. Shalizi, and M. Newman, University of Michigan

15. (Phil Gersmehl, Research in Geographic Education, 2006)
Spatial Thinking
(Phil Gersmehl, Research in Geographic Education, 2006)

16. Pattern Analysis: Density vs. Dispersion
Which square mile has the higher density, (a) or (b)?

17. Various Pattern Arrangements
What phenomena could explain the patterns shown in A, B, and C?

18. Quick mapping activity – example of identifying changes in a spatial pattern, reasons for the changes, and consequences of these changes
With a partner, map the following (on the same map):
1. Use a diamond symbol  for the cities in which there was a Major League Baseball team in (16 teams).
2. Use a different symbol for the locations of MLB teams in (30 teams).
Coors Field

19. What kinds of things are symbolized by lines on this map?
Connections
What kinds of things are symbolized by lines on this map?

20. Where are some patterns that illustrate this?
Combination of climate, agriculture, and industry explains population density patterns
Where are some patterns that illustrate this?

21. How does this map illustrate the aura or zone of influence for Denver?
Denver metro area
How does this map illustrate the aura or zone of influence for Denver?
How are hierarchies symbolized on this map?
For which kinds of services does Denver’s aura extend beyond this map?

22. Where could you define a region of “Elvis-lovers”?
Where are the exceptions?
Where are the outliers?

23. Compare the Pacific coasts of North and South America
Which places have analogous climates?

24. Spot any spatial correlations?
Middle & South America Agricultural Regions (left) and Population Density (below)
Spot any spatial correlations?

25. An example of the importance of spatial thinking
Christian

26. TURKIC (Altaic Language Family)
Diversity,
exceptions,
and edges
can make
for
interesting
case studies or
examples
TURKIC (Altaic Language Family)
IRANIAN (Indo-European Language Family)
SEMITIC (Afro-Asiatic Language Family)