Unit 1 - Maps

Latitude and longitude

are the global coordinate system used to determine the precise location of a point on the Earth's surface. Latitude measures north-south position, while longitude measures east-west position.

Site

is the actual location of a place or activity, often characterized by its physical and human-made features.

Situation

the location of a place relative to its surroundings and other locations.

Thematic maps

are maps that emphasize specific themes or subjects, such as population density, climate patterns, or economic activities, rather than just geographical features.

Chloropleth maps

are thematic maps that use different shades or colors to represent data values in a specific area, allowing for easy visualization of data distribution across regions.

Dot distribution maps

are thematic maps that use dots to represent the presence or quantity of a feature in a specified area, showing spatial distribution patterns.

Graduated symbol maps

are thematic maps that use symbols of varying size to represent data values, where larger symbols indicate a greater quantity of the feature being mapped.

Isoline maps

are thematic maps that connect points of equal value, displaying gradients of data such as temperature or elevation across a region.

Cartograms

are a thematic map where the size of geographic areas is adjusted according to a specific variable, such as population or economic activity, rather than their actual land area.

Map projection

is a systematic transformation of the latitudes and longitudes of locations on the surface of the Earth to locations on a flat map. Different projections can distort size, shape, distance, or direction.

What makes a map

map legend, title, compass, scale, source

What do maps attempt to do?

Maps attempt to represent and communicate spatial relationships, patterns, and information about geographical areas, facilitating navigation and understanding of locations in a nice appealing way.