Introduction to Maps

A collection of flashcards covering key vocabulary related to different types of maps and spatial patterns.

Reference Maps

Maps that provide general information about a location, including political boundaries, physical features, and roads.

Thematic Maps

Maps that communicate specific information about a place, focusing on spatial aspects.

Choropleth Maps

Maps that use colors or patterns to show the distribution of spatial data.

Dot-Density Maps

Maps where each dot represents a specified quantity of a spatial characteristic.

Graduated/Proportional Symbol Maps

Maps that use symbols of different sizes to indicate varying amounts of a variable.

Cartogram

Maps where the size of countries is distorted based on a specific variable.

Isoline Maps

Maps that use lines to connect points of equal value, showing variations in data across space.

Topographic Maps

Maps that represent elevation and terrain, often using lines and textures.

Absolute Location

The exact and precise location of a place, defined by latitude and longitude.

Relative Location

The location of a place in relation to another place.

Absolute Distance

The exact measurement of distance between two points.

Relative Distance

The distance between places as perceived by people, often affected by factors like accessibility.

Absolute Direction

The precise direction, often given in degrees or cardinal points.

Relative Direction

The direction of a place in relation to another, often using relative terms like left or right.

Clustering

The phenomenon where items are located closely together in a defined area.

Dispersal/Distribution

The way in which a particular phenomenon or item is spread out over space.

Map Projection

The method by which cartographers show the curved surface of the earth on a flat map.

Map Distortion

The inaccuracies introduced in shape, area, distance, or direction when representing the earth's surface.

Mercator Projection

A map projection known for preserving direction, useful for navigation but distorting area near the poles.

Peters Projection

An equal-area projection that represents the size of landmasses accurately but distorts their shapes.

Robinson Projection

A compromise projection that minimizes distortion of all aspects, though remains slightly inaccurate.