The document provides an overview of key concepts related to maps, including their basics and uses, geographic perspectives they provide, scales, essential map elements, different types of thematic maps, and common map projections. It discusses how maps show location, features, and distribution on Earth's surface. It also explains how scale relates to the ratio between distances on a map and in reality, and defines common map projections like cylindrical, planar, conic, and interrupted projections.
2. Maps
Opening Questions:
- In what ways are maps beneficial?
- In what ways are maps problematic?
- How do you use maps in your own life?
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3.
4. Maps
I. Basics
A. Location
1. Absolute: Latitude/Longitude
2. Relative: Location related to another object
B. Distribution
C. Features
1. Physical (Natural)
2. Cultural (Human)
II. Geographic Perspective
A. Geographic Realms
1. Basic Spatial unit in our world organizational
scheme (neighborhoods)
B. Spatial Perspective:
1. Pertaining to space on the Earth’s surface
2. Why things are located where they are, how they
got there, and how they could change
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5. Maps
III.Scale
A. Definition
1. The ratio between two places on a map and
the actual distance on the Earth’s surface
B. Large vs. Small
1. Smaller the fraction (larger the denominator),
the smaller the scale
2. Small scale shows BIG overview, large scale
shows fine detail
C. Types
A. Graphic Scale = scale bar
B. Verbal Scale = written statement
C. Fractional Scale = representative fraction
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26. Maps
V. Map Projections
A. Map Problem: Spherical earth on a flat paper
1. Conformality (accuracy of shape/angles) vs
Equivalency (accuracy of distance/size)
B. Types of Projections
A. Cylindrical: “wrapping” a paper around the
globe
B. Planar: Marks of a center-lit globe on a flat
paper
C. Conic: Marks a center-lit globe on a cone
paper
D. Interrupted: Splits to minimize distortion
