AP Human Geo Maps

What do maps include?

Title, Compass Rose, Legend

Reference Maps

Shows general location: political and road maps

Topographic Maps

detailed record of land area and use isolines (contour lines) to show differences in elevation

Thematic Maps

emphasize a theme or special topic, usually with data

Choropleth Map

uses color or shading to show data range

Election Map

type of choropleth map used for elections

Cartogram Map

distorts the proper land mass to show statistics (bigger the shape, higher the statistic)

Dot Distribution Map

uses dots (point symbol) to visualize the distribution of something. they allow you to see spatial patterns like variances in density.

Graduated/Proportional Symbols Map

uses map symbols that vary in size to represent a quantitative variable

GIS

powerful system that analyzes spatial data to help develop good geographic strategies for the use of land

direction, distance, size (area), shape

Map Projections create distortion in…

Mercator Map

distorted area (especially by the poles), but direction is very accurate

Gall-Peters Map

distorts shape but size is true (landmass may jut into the ocean)

Robinson Map

everything is distorted a little, but has rounded edges and looks good

Azimuthal Map

accurately represents direction anywhere from the central point, but only shows half of the earth. commonly used by pilots.