Geography: Maps, Spatial Patterns, and Projections

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts about maps, spatial patterns, and map projections from the lecture notes.

Spatial patterns

The general arrangements of phenomena on a map or landscape, identified by recurring sequences of events or processes; a key focus in geography.

Map

The most important tool of a geographer used to organize complex information and reveal patterns.

Reference map

A map category designed for general information about places, useful as a reference.

Thematic map

A map that shows spatial aspects of information or phenomena rather than general place locations.

Political map

A type of reference map that shows human-created boundaries and destinations such as countries, states, cities, and capitals.

Physical map

A type of reference map that shows natural features such as mountains, rivers, and deserts.

Road map

A reference map that depicts highways, streets, and alleys for navigation.

Plat map

A reference map showing property lines and details of land ownership.

Choropleth map

A thematic map that uses color shades or patterns to show the distribution of data across defined areas.

Dot distribution map

A thematic map where each dot represents a specific quantity at a location.

Graduated symbol map

A thematic map using symbols of different sizes to indicate different amounts; larger symbols represent more.

Proportional symbol map

Another term for graduated symbol map; symbols grow in size proportionally to the data value.

Isoline map

A thematic map that uses lines connecting points of equal value to show variation across space.

Topographic map

The most common type of isoline map that uses contour lines to depict elevation and terrain.

Contour line

A line on a map connecting points of equal elevation.

Cartogram

A map in which the size of geographic units is scaled to a statistic, highlighting data such as population.

Projection

A method for depicting the curved surface of the Earth on a flat map, which introduces distortions.

Mercator projection

A navigation-oriented projection with straight-line directions that distorts area, especially near the poles.

Distortion

Alteration of size, shape, distance, or direction that occurs when projecting the Earth onto a flat map.

Cartographic scale

The map’s scale expressed as a ratio or equivalent statement (e.g., 1 inch = 10 miles or 1:200,000).

Geographic scale

The spatial extent represented by the map—the scope of the mapped area.

Data scale

The scale of the data values represented on the map, indicating how data quantities are visualized.

Small-scale map

A map showing a large area with less detail.

Large-scale map

A map showing a small area with more detail.

Latitude

The distance north or south of the equator, forming part of the global coordinate grid.

Longitude

The distance east or west of the prime meridian, forming part of the global coordinate grid.

Equator

0 degrees latitude; divides the Earth into northern and southern hemispheres.

Prime Meridian

0 degrees longitude; runs through Greenwich, England and divides the eastern and western hemispheres.

International Date Line

Approximately 180 degrees longitude; marks where calendar days change, with small deviations for boundaries.

Absolute location

The exact location of a place using a coordinate system (latitude and longitude).

Relative location

A description of where a place is in relation to other places, often considering connectivity and accessibility.

Direction

Relative orientation of places; includes cardinal directions (N, E, S, W) and intermediate directions (NE, SE, etc.).

Cardinal directions

The four main directions: north, east, south, and west.

Distance (absolute vs relative)

Absolute distance is the physical distance between two places (e.g., miles or kilometers); relative distance is the perceived distance based on time or cost.

Elevation

Height above sea level; influences climate and agriculture and is often shown with contour lines.

Distribution patterns

The general arrangement of phenomena across space, such as clustered, linear, dispersed, circular, geometric, or random patterns.

Clustered distribution

Phenomena concentrated in a limited area or group.

Linear distribution

Phenomena arranged in a line or along a linear feature.

Dispersed distribution

Phenomena spread out over a wide area.

Circular distribution

Phenomena arranged around a central point forming a circle.

Geometric distribution

Phenomena arranged in a regular, grid-like pattern.

Random distribution

Phenomena that appear to have no discernible order or pattern.

Projection distortion

The inevitable distortion that occurs when transferring a curved surface to a flat map, influencing which properties are preserved.

Isopleth

A line on a map connecting points of equal value; another term for isoline.