1. SP 240 Cartography Alex Chaucer
The Nature of Geographic Phenomena and the Selection of Thematic Map Symbols
SP 240 Cartography
Alex Chaucer

2. Geography Defined Geography
The science that deals with the analysis of spatially distributed phenomena
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3. Geography and Geographic Phenomena
Both a social and physical science
Wide range of research interests
Science of spatial analysis
What? Where? Why?
Geographic inquiry: from architectural to terrestrial, and everywhere in between
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4. Geography and Geographic Phenomena
Richard Hartshorne
The Nature of Geography
“The intrinsic characteristics of geography are the product of man’s effort to know and understand the combinations of phenomena as they exist in areal interrelation in this world.”
Some chapters available
online at:
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5. Geography and Geographic Phenomena
"everything is related to everything else, but relationships are stronger  when they are near to one another."  Waldo Tobler
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6. Major Themes in Geographic Research
Areal or Spatial Association
Study of the functional or causal spatial relation between variables.
E.g. The relation of a floral shop to high rise office buildings.
Forms and Processes
Study of the processes that result in spatial distribution.
E.g. The tectonic forces and the distribution and creation of landforms.
Spatial Interaction
Study of the interaction/flow of people/goods from place to place.
“forces of attraction” and “friction over distance” are major concepts.
E.g. The development of road networks in response to increases in travel.
Distance Decay
Study of the decreasing occurrence of events away from a certain point.
E.g. Influence of a city on a region (nodal area development)
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7. Key Concepts in Geography
Direction – Absolute: N, S, E, W; Relative: Deep South
Distance – Usually: Units of Length; Relative: time, cost
Geographic Scale – Global, Regional, Local
Location – Absolute: Coordinates; Relative: in relation to
Distribution – Points/area; dispersed; agglomerated
Localization – Spatial Clustering
Functional Association – Associations cause them to occur near eachother
Spatial Interaction – one type – spatial diffusion of people, goods, ideas
The Regional Concept – internal homogeneity sets it apart
Concept of Change – geography is dynamic, constant transformation
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8. Spatial Information Technology Center

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10. Spatial Information Technology Center
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11. Vegas, baby, Vegas!!! Spatial Information Technology Center
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12. Geography for Life 5 themes developed by 1994 Goals: Educate America
Location
Place (distinguish by phys.& human characteristics)
Human/Environment Interaction
Movement (goods, people, & ideas)
Regions
With these themes 18 geography standards have been developed.
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13. Measurement in Geography
Geographic phenomena vs. geographic data
Geographic phenomena – elements of reality that have spatial attributes; any spatial phenomena can be the subject of geographical analysis within the limits of scale
Geographic Data – facts about which conclusions can be drawn; chosen to describe geographic phenomena; associated with a spatial dimension
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14. Spatial Dimensions of Geographic Phenomena
Point (zero-dimensional)
Line (one-dimensional)
Area (two-dimensional)
Volume (three-dimensional)
Space-time (four-dimensional)
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15. Spatial Dimensions of Geographic Phenomena
Spatial dimensions may depend on scale---
City as a point City as an Area
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16. Discrete, Sequential, and Continuous Phenomena
Discrete – do not occur between spatial observations; distinguishable individual entities or counting units
Sequential – lines or linear phenomena; a series of points or discrete elements. Roads, phone lines, etc.
Continuous – extend unbroken and without interruptions, elevation, temperature, etc.
Fractional parts are allowed.
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17. Measurement Scales
Measurement is the “assignment of numerals to things as to represent facts and conventions about them.”
S. S. Stevens
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18. Measurement Scales
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19. Measurement Error Observer Error – performance of investigator biased
Instrument Error – flaw in instrument
Environmental Error – study conditions play role in measurement
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20. Data Sources Three kinds of geographic data:
Direct Field Observation – quantitative or qualitative
Archival Sources – aerial photos, other maps
Those generated from Theoretical Work – predictions, projections, models
Where does downloadable geographic data fall? Is the data accurate?
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21. The Geographic Areal Unit
Natural Areal Units
Geographic elements in two dimensions
E.g. Lakes, countries, farms, cities
Artificial Areal Units
Imposed by researchers to organize data ans facilitate data collection
E.g. Regions, Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs), and census tracts
Single Areal Units
Can be used to make inferences about the aggregate
Aggregate Areal Units
Composed of several singular areal units
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22. The Multidimensional Characteristic of Thematic Map Symbols
Symbol Selection
Wide choices for the cartographer
Based on
Logic
Geographic phenomena
Graphic choices
What symbol best represents what I am to show
Limited by
Cartographic convention – may already be a standard symbol
Audience limitations – keep it simple
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23. Symbol Types, Symbol Visual Dimensions, Qualitative and Quantitative Mapping
Standard
Point, line, polygon
Volume
Symbol Dimensions
Shape, size, color hue, color value, color saturation, pattern orientation, pattern arrangement, pattern texture
Location on the map
Qualitative vs. Quantitative
What is there vs. how much is there
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24. Characteristics of Geographic Phenomena and Symbol Selection
Map symbols
The language of maps
“As elements in a constructed view of reality, cartographic symbols must
communicate differences among geographic features, functional relationships, and relative significance” Monmonier
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25. Characteristics of Geographic Phenomena and Symbol Selection
Functions of map symbols
Portray a location and it’s neighbors
Causal relationships among features
Routes
Phenomena with multiple instances
Variation in count or magnitude
Variation in density
Select a symbolization plan that best portrays the appropriate concept in geography.
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26. Enumeration Data, Geographical Units, and Census Definitions
Provided by federal government census
Aggregated data
Tabulated by specific geographic area
What are the geographic units?
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27. The United States Census
Census of Population and Housing
Decennial census
Since 1790
“head count” for determining the House of Representatives
Single best source to geographic researchers for
broad-based demographic data
socioeconomic data
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28. The United States Census
Census Geography
The divisions and descriptions of areal entities, both political and statistical; used to tabulate census (enumerated) data
E.g. Census regions, census divisions, states, metropolitan areas, counties, minor civil divisions, census tracts, block groups, blocks, etc.
Governmental area units – established by law, really exist and are marked on the landscape
Statistical Area Units – established merely for the convenience of enumeration and tabulation
What are those above?
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29. Census Resources Online
American Factfinder
NYS Census data:
Can download geographic census files and attribute tables for NYS.
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