1.1) Introduction to Maps 

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

S- Shape

A- Area

D- Distance

D- DIrection

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)