Maps, Cartography, and Map Features (Vocabulary)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key map concepts from the lecture notes.

Map

A two-dimensional (flat) representation of a geographic area or place.

Cartographer

A person who makes maps.

Data aggregation

The process of collecting and organizing large amounts of information.

Spatial patterns

The placement or arrangement of objects on Earth's surface, including the space between them and the relationships among them.

Time-distance decay

Also known as the first law of geography; near things are more related than distant things, and interaction between places decreases with distance.

Isoline

A line on a map that connects places sharing a common or equal value, such as elevation.

Elevation

Distance above sea level.

Compass rose

A drawing on a map showing the four cardinal directions and the map's orientation.

Absolute distance

The distance that can be measured with standard units of length (e.g., feet, miles, or kilometers).

Relative distance

A measure of how similar places are socially, culturally, or economically, despite their actual distance.

Absolute direction

The direction indicated by the cardinal points on a compass (north, south, east, west, and combinations like northeast).

Relative direction

A direction described in relation to position (e.g., in front of, behind, to the left or right).

Map scale

The distance on a map in relation to distance in actual space.

Scale

The territorial extent of an idea or object (as a concept noted in the notes).

Reference map

A map that shows geographic locations on Earth's surface, emphasizing location and accuracy.

Thematic map

A map that emphasizes the spatial patterns of geographic statistics or attributes, and sometimes the relationships between them.

Map symbols

The symbols used on a map to represent features or data.

Spatial perspective

A view that emphasizes spatial relationships and patterns on the landscape.

Topographic map

A graphic representation of the three-dimensional configuration of Earth's surface.