Unit 1 - Lecture 1.1: Intro to Maps & Human Geography

Flashcards testing knowledge of map components, thematic map types, map projections, spatial geography concepts, and geographic lines from Unit 1 Lecture 1.1.

What is Human Geography?

Human Geography is the spatial perspective (why of where?) of human activity.

What purpose does a legend or key serve on a map?

It explains the symbols used on the map.

How is map scale defined and in what ways can it be represented?

Map scale is the ratio of map units to real units. It can be given as a fraction (1/20), ratio (1:20), sentence (1 inch = 20 miles), or graphic.

What is the primary purpose of Reference Maps?

Reference maps emphasize the location of spatial phenomena, such as countries, cities, and rivers, helping show where things are located.

What do Thematic Maps emphasize?

Thematic maps emphasize the spatial pattern of geographic attributes or statistics about places and relationships between places.

What is a Choropleth Map?

A thematic map that uses colors or shading to show value, where typically a darker shade represents a greater value.

What is a Dot Map?

A thematic map that uses uniform dots to show density and distribution, where more dots represent a greater value.

In spatial distribution, how are clustered and dispersed defined?

Clustered means objects are close together, whereas dispersed means objects are far apart.

What is a Graduated or Proportional Symbol Map?

A map that uses different sized symbols, often a circle, to show value, where a larger symbol represents a greater value.

What is an Isoline Map?

A map that uses lines to link areas that share equal value, where each line represents a change in data.

What is a contour line?

A line drawn on a map to join up all the places that are the same height above sea level.

What is a Cartogram?

A map that distorts land area based on one particular variable, where a larger land area represents a greater value.

What are map projections and what distortions do they cause?

Projections are methods of flattening the round Earth. ALL projections cause distortion of shape, area, distance, and/or direction, but they are MOST accurate in the center.

What are the characteristics of the Mercator Projection?

It is good with direction, but distorts size, especially near high latitudes.

What are the characteristics of the Azimuthal (Polar) Projection?

It is good with direction, but distorts size from the center out.

What are the characteristics of the Equal-Area (Orange Peel) Projection?

It is good with size and shape, but distorts direction and distance.

What are the characteristics of the Robinson Projection?

It is a compromise between size and shape, providing the most accurate overall representation.

What changes occur when crossing the 180th meridian traveling westward?

When crossing the 180th meridian traveling westward, the day goes forward by one and the date increases by one.

Which lines of latitude are located at $23\frac{1}{2}^\circ\,\text{N}$ and $23\frac{1}{2}^\circ\,\text{S}$?

$23\frac{1}{2}^\circ\,\text{N}$ is the Tropic of Cancer, and $23\frac{1}{2}^\circ\,\text{S}$ is the Tropic of Capricorn.