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AP Human Geo: 1.02 Maps & Geographic Data
Basic Map Elements
Maps are used for two reasons: to store and communicate that information to others
The science of creating maps is called cartography
Cartography: the science or practice of making maps
Process in Creating a Map
establish the map’s purpose
simplification is used to determine what information is needed for a map, or the amount of detail needed to make the map information valuable
Simplification: the process of eliminating unnecessary details on a map
Basic elements are added to the map
basic elements include: title, compass rose, scale, toponyms, and a legend or key
Parts of a Map
Compass rose: the map’s directional indicator
Toponym: a place name
Symbol: symbols indicate something like the symbol of a circle around a start which indicates a national capital
Legend: explains what the symbols on the map mean
Distance Scale: compares a unit of length on the map to a unit on Earth
Identifying Map Elements
Maps reveal info about a place like human and physical features
Physical features are the natural features of Earth, such as mountains, lakes, and deserts
Human features are geography features that human beings made, such as infrastructure (roads, bridges, tunnels), landmarks, and cities
Creating a Map
Cartographers use projection to identify the method used to show Earth and to alert the viewer of possible distortions. There are 3 main categories of map projections: planar, conical, and cylindrical
Projection is a method of showing the curved Earth on a flat surface
Distance refers to the distance between the shapes on the map, and direction refers to the precision of the cardinal directions and intermediate directions on a map
Cardinal directions are associated with the compass points north, south, east, and west
Intermediate directions are associated with northwest, northeast, southwest, and southeast
AP Human Geo: 1.02 Maps & Geographic Data
Basic Map Elements
Maps are used for two reasons: to store and communicate that information to others
The science of creating maps is called cartography
Cartography: the science or practice of making maps
Process in Creating a Map
establish the map’s purpose
simplification is used to determine what information is needed for a map, or the amount of detail needed to make the map information valuable
Simplification: the process of eliminating unnecessary details on a map
Basic elements are added to the map
basic elements include: title, compass rose, scale, toponyms, and a legend or key
Parts of a Map
Compass rose: the map’s directional indicator
Toponym: a place name
Symbol: symbols indicate something like the symbol of a circle around a start which indicates a national capital
Legend: explains what the symbols on the map mean
Distance Scale: compares a unit of length on the map to a unit on Earth
Identifying Map Elements
Maps reveal info about a place like human and physical features
Physical features are the natural features of Earth, such as mountains, lakes, and deserts
Human features are geography features that human beings made, such as infrastructure (roads, bridges, tunnels), landmarks, and cities
Creating a Map
Cartographers use projection to identify the method used to show Earth and to alert the viewer of possible distortions. There are 3 main categories of map projections: planar, conical, and cylindrical
Projection is a method of showing the curved Earth on a flat surface
Distance refers to the distance between the shapes on the map, and direction refers to the precision of the cardinal directions and intermediate directions on a map
Cardinal directions are associated with the compass points north, south, east, and west
Intermediate directions are associated with northwest, northeast, southwest, and southeast
