Quantitative Data:
Involves numerical values and statistics, objective and measurable
Qualitative Data:
Involves reasons and opinions, subjective, experiential measurability, gathered through questionnaires and polls
GPS
Global Positioning System, collection of about 24 satellites, helps with navigation, cotributes to loss of maps around the world
GIS
Geographic Information System, layers data, stores/displays information, more accurate than regular maps
What is remote sensing?
The act of gathering information about the Earth’s surface from a distance, can maps changes over time,
What types of industries can use remote sensing?
Shipping, fishing, real estate, governments looking to construct infrastructure
What are some non-tech methods of gathering data?
Census, field work, interviews, observations, personal investigations, attendence at cultural events, photographs, films
Describe census data
Takes place every ten years, instituted by the constitution, can be from national to neighborhood scale, takes stock of demographic information, more than just US populations
What are food deserts?
Areas where individuals don’t have access to healthy food, where individuals have median incomes and often no car,
What are the three types of map scale?
Fraction, written, bar
Fraction scale
As numbers get bigger, area covered is smaller
Scale through bar graph:
Increase scale allows for more detail
What is the point of scale of analysis?
Tells the numerical difference (relationship) between distances on a map and distances in real life
What is a mental (cognitive) map?
a picture one has in their head which they can use to orient themselves
What do physical maps do?
Shows natural features of an area such as rivers, oceans, deserts, and other types of significant geography.
What do physical maps do?
cities, states, countries, counties
What are thematic maps?
display a specific physical, social, political, cultural, economic, sociological, agricultural theme in a specific geographic area
What’s another word for a thematic map?
A specific purpose map
Isoline maps
also known as contour maps, revealed by lines connecting areas of equal value, Iso is also Greek for equal.
Topographic maps
a type of Isoline map, which is used to display elevation, The closer the contours, the steeper the angles.
Dot maps
dot density map, or dot distribution map, which shows the presence of a feature or phenomenon. Can be used for diseases, population, all of which show spatial patterns
Choropleth maps
utilizes colours and shapes to show patterns, examples being population density maps, level of income maps, and education levels.
Graduated symbol maps
changes the size of a symbol to exemplify quantities in states. The symbol can vary.
Cartogram maps
changes the size of an area to reflect the quantity of something.
flow line maps
a combination of flow chart and map, which utilizes lines to show anything that moves (traffic, migration, disease).
Past usage of maps:
A way to identify an object's absolute and relative location
Modern usage of maps:
We utilize GPS rather than relying on general knowledge of location. Therefore, we now use maps for understanding where events took place, as well as understanding facts about a place (human activities, physical features). For example: Average income in different neighborhoods, such as in the job of a vendor, shop-owner, or real estate agent.
How can maps be deceptive:
Are simplified versions of reality, bias, different orientations, incomplete, outdated
What are map projections
Different methods of transferring the round earth to a flat paper
A map projection that has accurate longitudinal and latitudinal lines at right angles, yet distorts sizes
Mercator Projection