Maps, Projections, and Human-Environment Interaction

Map Scale

The level of detail and the amount of an area a map covers depends on its scale, presented as a ratio, in words, or using a bar.

Mental/Cognitive Maps

The map in your head used for navigation between places.

Reference Maps

Maps showing multiple types of information.

Physical Maps

Maps displaying natural features like mountains, rivers, and deserts.

Political Maps

Maps showing cities, states, countries, and human-created features.

Thematic Maps

Maps displaying various aspects of a chosen area like physical, social, political, economic, or sociological information.

Isoline

A map with lines connecting areas of equal value, commonly used for climate and weather mapping.

Topographic Maps

Maps using contour lines to show changes in elevation.

Dot Map/Dot Density Map

Maps using dot symbols to represent the presence of a feature or phenomenon.

Choropleth Map

Maps shading or patterning areas in proportion to represent values.

Graduated Symbol Map

Maps using different sized symbols to indicate different values or variables.

Cartogram Map

Maps changing the size of areas to reflect specific data.

Flow Chart Map

Maps using arrows to show movement between places.

Global Scale

A scale representing the entire world.

National Scale

A scale representing a specific country.

Regional Scale

A scale representing a specific region.

Local Scale

A scale representing a small, specific area like a town or city.

GPS

Global Positioning System that uses satellites to pinpoint locations and map movements.

GIS

Geographic Information System, a computer system storing and displaying information to create accurate maps.

Remote Sensing

A method to map changes in Earth's features.

Absolute Distance

The physical distance between two points measured in units like feet or miles.

Relative Distance

The measure of distance in terms of time, cost, or effort.

Cognitive Distance

The perceived distance, which can vary based on mode of travel.

Distance Decay

The concept that the likelihood of interaction decreases as distance increases.

Space Time Compression

The shrinking of relative distance due to advancements in communication and transportation.

Globalization

The increasing interconnectedness of different parts of the world.

Environmental Determinism

The belief that human behavior is determined by the physical environment.

Environmental Possibilism

The idea that while the environment influences culture, technology allows humans to modify their environment.

Sustainability

Managing resources to ensure their availability for future generations.

Region

An area with common characteristics that differentiate it from surrounding areas.

Formal Region

A region defined by measurable, common human properties.

Functional Region

A region organized around a central node with surrounding areas linked to it.

Perceptual Region

A region based on human feelings, stereotypes, and attitudes.

Scales of Analysis

Levels of analysis including global, regional, national, and local, influencing the observed truth.

Hyperlocal

Breaking areas into smaller parts using detailed divisions like census tracts or zip codes.