Geography: Maps, Scales, and Projections

Vocabulary flashcards covering key map concepts, map types, scale concepts, regional scales, and major cartographic projections from pages 1–5.

Map

A representation of the earth’s geography (all or part) on a surface, showing features like countries, dimensions, streets, etc.

Map distortion

Errors that occur when the earth’s curved surface is depicted on a flat piece of paper.

Map projection

A method of showing the earth’s three‑dimensional surface on a two‑dimensional plane.

Thematic layers

visual style altered to represent data associated with that map layer, such as population density or climate zones.

Cognitive map

A mental representation of part of the earth created from a person’s memory.

Reference map

A map that shows where things are located in relation to a reference framework (e.g., checkpoints).

Thematic Map

Maps that describe data using visual elements to convey a theme or pattern.

Isoline map

A map that uses lines to connect places with equal values (e.g., elevation, temperature, precipitation).

Choropleth Map

A map that uses color shading to represent statistical data across geographic areas.

Cartogram map

A map in which the size of countries or regions is distorted to convey a data value (e.g., population).

Dot Map

A map that uses dots to show the distribution or density of a phenomenon.

Proportional Symbols Map

A map that uses symbols (often circles or pie charts) whose size represents data quantities.

Scale

The relationship between a part of a map being studied and the actual size of the earth’s surface.

Geographic Scale

The extent of the territory being studied on a map.

Scale of analysis

The levels at which geographic events are examined (global, regional, local, etc.).

Cartographic Scale

The ratio describing the distance on the map relative to the distance in the real world.

Large Scale

Maps that cover smaller areas in greater detail (e.g., towns or neighborhoods).

Small Scale

Maps that cover larger areas (e.g., countries or continents) with less detail.

Global scale

Analyzing events at the entire world level.

Regional scale

Analyzing events in areas smaller than global but larger than local.

National scale

Analyzing events within an entire country.

Subnational scale

Analyzing events at a state or provincial level (below national).

County scale

Analyzing events within a county.

Local scale

Analyzing events in cities, towns, or neighborhoods.

Ptolemy

Roman geographer known for maps using a grid system of longitude and latitude.

Carl Sauer

Geographer who analyzed how human activity affects the environment (cultural changes such as agriculture, language, religion).

Mercator projection

A cylindrical projection that preserves shapes and angles well locally but distorts size, especially away from the equator.

Robinson projection

A compromise projection that minimizes overall distortions when projecting the 3‑D earth onto a 2‑D map.

Gall-Peters projection

An equal‑area projection that preserves area but distorts shapes, especially toward the poles.