Unit one

Objective

  • Identify types of maps

  • the types of info presented in maps

  • the different kinds of spatial patterns and relationships portrayed in maps

Types of Maps

1) Reference Maps- gen information/ Navigation/ Location

a) Political- states/ countries/ capitals

b) Physical- natural features

c) Road- highways, streets, ect.

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2) Thematic Maps- communicate information about a place- spatial aspects- what is it like there?

a) Choropleth Maps- Use various colors, shades of one color, or patterns to show the location and distribution of spatial data

b) Dot Density- Each dot represents a specified quantity of a spatial characteristic

c) Graduated/ Proportional Symbol- Use symbols of different sizes to indicate different amounts of a variable

d) Cartogram- The sizes of countries are shown according to a specific variable. The area is distorted to show a variable

e) Isoline- Use lines that connect points of equal value to depict variations in the data across space. Used for weather and elevation.

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Introduction to Maps

Objective

Identify types of maps, the types of information presented in maps, and different kinds of spatial patterns and relationships portrayed in maps.

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Types of Spatial Patterns on Maps

1) Absolute location

  • Exact, precise

  • Address

  • Latitude & Longitude

2) Relative Location

  • [ ] Where it’s located in relation to another place

3) Absolute DIstance

  • Exact, Precise

  • Miles/ Kilometers/ Feet

  • Map Scale

4) Relative Distance

  • Measured in time, effort, or cost

  • Spatial Interaction: Connections, contacts, movement, and flow of things between places. How connected places are

    5) Absolute Direction

  • Exact, Precise

  • Cardinal Directions

6) Relative Direction

  • Relative-relationships

  • Based on an object’s current location/orientation

  • Left/right/up/down

    7) Clustering

  • Close together

  • Density- The # of something is a defined area

    8) Dispersal/Distribution

  • Far apart

  • Distrubution- The way something is spread out over an area

    9) Patterns & Spatial Associations

  • Indication that two (or more) phenomena may be related, associated, or correlated with one another

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Introduction to Maps

Identify types of maps, the types of information presented in maps, and different kinds of spatial patterns and relationships portrayed in maps

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Map projections distort spatial relationships in shape, area, distance and direction

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Map Projection: The process of a cartographer showing the curved surface of the earth on a flat surface (map)

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Maps are selective in what they portray- different projections are used for different purposes

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Map projections are S.A.D.D. because they distort

S- Shape

A- Area

D- Distance

D- DIrection

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Mercator (1569)

Ad

  • Direction

  • Shape

  • Purpose: Navigation

  • Preserves right angles of latitude and longitude

Disad

  • Area distorted near the poles

  • Increases size of high latitude areas

Peters Equal Area

Ad

  • Area of landmasses are accurate

  • Repositions many countries to rightful size

Disad

  • Shapes are inaccurate near the poles

  • Vertically stretched near the equator

Robinson

Ad

  • No major distortions

  • Purpose- Compromise

Disad

  • All aspects are slightly distorted

(All maps are selective and distort the earth)