2. Maps are the primary tools by which spatial relationships are
visualized.
A map is a visual representation of selected characteristics an entire
area or a part of an area, typically represented on a flat surface.
The work of a map is to illustrate specific and detailed features of a
particular area, most frequently used to illustrate geography.
Maps attempt to represent various things, like political boundaries,
physical features, roads, topography, population, climates, natural
resources and economic activities.
3. There are several key elements that should be included each time
a map is created in order to aid the viewer in understanding the
communications of that map and to document the source of the
geographic information used.
1. Data Frame;
2. Legend;
3. Title;
4. North Arrow;
5. Scale and
6. Citation
4. 1. Data Frame
The data frame is the portion of the map that displays the data
layers. This section is the most important and central focus of the
map document.
5.
6. 2. Legend
The legend serves as the decoder for the symbology in the data
frame. Therefore, it is also commonly known as the key.
A map key or legend is included with a map to unlock it. It gives
you the information needed for the map to make sense. Maps
often use symbols or colors to represent things, and the map key
explains what they mean. Map keys are often boxes in the corner
of the map, and the information they give you is essential to
understanding the map.
7.
8. 3. Title
The title is important because it instantly gives the viewer a
succinct description of the subject matter of the map. The title
“NBA Champions of the Past 25 Years of USA” quickly tells the
viewer the subject matter and location of the data.
9.
10.
11. 4. North Arrow
The purpose of the north arrow is for orientation. This allows the
viewer to determine the direction of the map as it relates to due
north. Most maps tend to be oriented so that due north faces the
top of the page. There are exceptions to this and having the north
arrow allows the viewer to know which direction the data is
oriented.
12.
13. 5. Scale
The scale explains the relationship of the data frame extent to the
real world. The description is a ratio. This can be shown either as
a unit to unit or as one measurement to another measurement.
Therefore a scale showing a 1:25,000 scale means that every one
paper map unit represents 25,000 real world units. For example
1:25,000 in meters means that a measurement of one meter on the
map equals 10,000 meters in real life.
14.
15. 6. Citation
The citation portion of a map constitutes the metadata of the
map. This is the area where explanatory data about the data
sources are placed.
16.
17.
18. There are 7 main types of maps that are used for many different
purposes.
1. Political Maps
2. Physical Maps
3. Topographic Maps
4. Climate Maps
5. Economic or Resource Maps
6. Road Maps
7. Thematic Maps
19. Political Maps
Political maps are the maps that you see most of the time. They
focus on the boundaries, cities, states, and capitals. A political
map does not show topographic features like mountains. It
focuses solely on the state and national boundaries of a place.
They also include the locations of cities large and small,
depending on the detail of the map.
20.
21. Physical Maps
A physical map is one documents landscape features of a place.
They generally show things like mountains, rain forests, rivers
and lakes. Bodies of water are always shown with blue.
Mountains and elevation changes are usually shown with
different colors and shades to show relief. Normally on physical
maps, green shows lower elevations while browns show high
elevations.
22.
23.
24. Topographic Maps
A topographic map is a type of map that shows heights that you
can measure. A topographic map uses lines to determine the
heights of features such as mountains and valleys. Topographic
maps can show the heights of features a variety of ways,
including contour lines, relief, and color.
25.
26. Contour Lines
A contour line is a line joining points of equal elevation on a
surface. An easy way to imagine a contour line is to imagine
walking around the shore of a lake. As you walk, you will
always remain at the same elevation, and eventually you will
return to your starting point.
There are three rules for contour lines:
Every point along a contour line is the exact same elevation
Contour lines can never cross each other
A contour line must close on itself
27.
28.
29.
30. Climate Maps
A climate map shows information about the climate of an area.
They can show things like the specific climatic zones of an area
based on the temperature, the amount of snow an area receives
or the average number of cloudy days. These maps normally use
colors to show different climatic areas.
31.
32. Economic or Resource Maps
Economic or resource maps are used for tracking an economic
activity or natural resource in an area though shapes, symbols,
or colors.
33.
34.
35.
36. Road Maps
A road map is one of the most widely used map types. These
maps show major and minor highways and roads (depending on
detail), as well as things like airports, city locations and points of
interest such as parks, campgrounds, and monuments. Major
highways on a road map are generally shown in red and larger
than other roads, while minor roads are a lighter color and a
narrower line.
37.
38. Thematic Maps
A thematic map is a map that emphasizes a particular theme or
special topic such as the average distribution of rainfall in an area.
They are different from general reference maps because they do not
just show natural features like rivers, cities, political subdivisions and
highways. Instead, if these items are on a thematic map, they are
simply used as reference points to enhance one's understanding of the
map's theme and purpose.
Normally however, all thematic maps use maps with coastlines, city
locations and political boundaries as their base maps. The map's
specific theme is then layered onto this base map via different
mapping programs and technologies like a geographic information
system (GIS).