Geomorphology: Cartography, Map Elements, Scale, Grid Systems, and NTS

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering basic map definitions, projections, map scales, coordinate grid systems (Latitude/Longitude and UTM), map symbolization levels, direction/geomagnetism, and the National Topographic System (NTS).

Map

A graphical representation of a portion of the Earth's surface as seen from above, drawn to scale, and reproduced on a plane surface.

Map Projection

Mathematical transformations used to project the spherical grid of the Earth onto a flat surface (developable surface).

Primary Developable Surfaces

The fundamental geometric surfaces—azimuthal (planar), conical, and cylindrical—onto which Earth's surface features are projected to create flat maps.

General Reference Maps

Maps designed to provide a broad spatial overview and location information by maintaining high detail across multiple natural and human-made features in uniform systematic series.

Thematic Maps

Special-purpose maps designed to illustrate the spatial distribution of specific variables or restricted datasets, focusing on communicating single-topic attribute data.

Map Scale

The precise mathematical ratio between distance measured on a map and the corresponding distance on the Earth's surface.

Written Scale

A verbal statement expressing distance equality between map measurement and ground distance (e.g., "One cm equals five kilometers").

Representative Fraction (RF)

A unitless mathematical fraction or ratio representing the ratio of map distance to ground distance (e.g., $1:250,000$ or $\frac{1}{250,000}$).

Graphic Scale

A bar scale calibrated directly in real ground distance units, such as kilometers or miles.

Large-Scale Maps

Maps represented by a larger fraction (e.g., $1:50,000$), covering a smaller geographic area with higher spatial accuracy, greater detail, and lower cartographic abstraction.

Small-Scale Maps

Maps represented by a smaller fraction (e.g., $1:7,500,000$), covering a larger geographic area with lower spatial accuracy, general detail, and higher cartographic abstraction.

Latitude (Parallels)

Angular distance measured in degrees north or south from the Equatorial plane, ranging from $0^\bullet$ at the Equator to $90^\bullet\text{N}$ at the North Pole and $90^\bullet\text{S}$ at the South Pole.

Longitude (Meridians)

Angular distance measured in degrees east or west from the Prime Meridian ($0^\bullet$ passing through Greenwich, England) up to $180^\bullet$.

Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) Grid System

An international plane coordinate grid system covering Earth between $84^\bullet\text{N}$ latitude and $80^\bullet\text{S}$ latitude, divided into 60 longitudinal zones of $6^\bullet$ each.

Easting

Grid lines running north-south in the UTM system that measure distance eastward in metres.

Northing

Grid lines running east-west in the UTM system that measure distance northward in metres.

Nominal Measurement Level

A qualitative level of cartographic symbolization that distinguishes feature types without ranking or quantitative measurement.

Ordinal Measurement Level

A ranked level of cartographic symbolization that indicates relative order, hierarchy, or magnitude without exact numerical values.

Interval / Ratio Measurement Level

A quantitative level of cartographic symbolization that communicates explicit numerical amounts or continuous measurements.

True North

The direction toward the geographical North Pole aligned with Earth's rotational axis ($90^\bullet\text{N}$).

Grid North

The direction of vertical grid lines on a flat plane UTM map sheet.

Magnetic North

The direction indicated by a magnetic compass needle, pointing toward the Earth's shifting magnetic north pole.

Dynamo Effect

The geophysical mechanism generating Earth's geomagnetic field in its spinning liquid metallic outer core through convective flow and planetary rotation.

Magnetic Declination

The angular difference between True North and Magnetic North at a given position.

Azimuth

Direction expressed as a horizontal angle measured clockwise from North ($0^\bullet$ to $360^\bullet$).

Primary Quadrangle

The fundamental structural unit of Canada's National Topographic System (NTS), measuring $4^\bullet$ of latitude by $8^\bullet$ of longitude.