reference maps

intro to reference maps

maps are more than just colorful pictures, they act as visuals for learning

what are reference maps

they provide general info about places and act as visual dictionaries

political maps

show human made boundaries, like states, cities, provinces, etc.

they show clear borders

physical maps

show more natural features of earths surface like rivers, mountains, lakes, forests, deserts

road maps

designated for drivers by car, give detailed guidance directions, and show relevant places of interest like gas stations, truck stops etc

plat maps

show individual parcels of land, designed for urban planners, real estate agents, show lot numbers,property lines, ex: house lot boundaries in neighborhood

thematic maps

shows spatial patterns of a certain theme

choropleth maps

uses colors/shades to show different values of a particular region

useful for displaying rates, ratios, and percentages

ex: english speakers in a certain area

dot distribution + graduated symbol maps

dot distribution- using dots to show areas of different value

graduated symbol- each symbol varies in size to show different value

isoline maps

uses lines to connect points of equal value

show continuous data over time

cartograms *

distort

understanding map scale

distort size, direction, shape, area

cartographers what to preserve in the map

large scale- small area, big detail

small- large area, small detail

Map projections: Representing a Round Earth on Flat Paper

mercator projection: navigators choice

good for navigation due to accurate direction

slightly distorted near the poles

goode homolosine

distorts map size by being “interrupted”

landmasses are accurate but directions is not

fuller projection

distorts map into an icosahedron

direction and distance are distorted

robinson projection: a compromise

no major distortion, however slightly distorted size and distance

good for classrooms

winkel tripel: balancing distortion

good for general use