Making Sense of Maps

Doug R. OetterDept. of History and Geography

Georgia College & State University6 October 2004

Geography

• Study of Earth phenomena

• Includes an analysis of distributional patterns and interrelationships among these phenomena.

Two Branches of Geography

• Human geography– Populations & Migrations– Culture (Languages, Religions)– Regions– Trade & Transportation– Geopolitics

• Physical Geography– Meteorology– Geomorphology– Biogeography– Soil science

Technology, Tools, and Methods of Geography• Maps• Photographs and

satellite images• Surveying• Global Positioning

System• Field work and remote

measurements• Instruments• Geo-statistics

Maps

• Maps are a way to record and store information

• Maps are a means of analyzing locational distribution and spatial patterns

• Maps are a method of presenting information and communicating findings

• Maps are 2-dimensional representations of a 3-dimensional spheroid

Maps and Mapping• Advantages of Maps

– Graphic representations with symbolic language– Show spatial relationships with great efficiency– Can be changed through time and space– Useful to laypeople as well as geographers

• Limitations of Maps– Can never be completely accurate because they

leave out detail and conditions change– Map distortion is inherent due to the Earth’s curvature

Global Grid• Parallels are always parallel and evenly spaced

– 111 km (69 mi)

• Meridians converge at the poles• Meridians and parallels cross at right angles

Map Projections

Essential Map Elements

• Title• Legend• Scale• Orientation• Metadata

Types of Maps

• Thematic• Location• Distribution• Topographic• Isolines• Charts

Thematic

• Focuses attention on one feature or theme• Shows the distribution of a single attribute or the

relationship among several

Location• Shows geographic situation and other

important locational information

Distribution

• Dot map shows relative density by position and number of dots

Isolines

• Isolines show boundaries between areas of equal value– Elevation– Air temperature– Precipitation

Topographic

• Contour lines plus surface features

Charts

• Specially designed to serve the needs of nautical and aeronautical navigators

Small vs. Large Scale

• Small scale – small amount of detail– small RF

• Large scale – large detail– large RF

Exercise 1: What Type of Map is This?

• What does it show?• What scale is it?

What makes a Good Map?

• What is the motive, intent, or goal of the map?• Who will read the map?• Where will the map be used?• What data are available for the composition of

the map?• What resources are available in terms of both

time and equipment?

Exercise 2: Can you Make a Map?

• Mental Maps– A person's perception

of the world is known as a mental map.

– A mental map is an individual's own internal map of their known world.

Traditional Mapping Methods

• Manual technologies– Hand-drawn from navigators

• Magnetic technology– Compass

• Mechanical technology– Printing press– Photography– Field stations & surveying– Air photos– Stereoscopes and zoom transfers

Digital technology

• Hardware• Software• Data

Modern Mapping Methods

• GIS• Remote Sensing

– Active• Emitting and detecting reflected signal

– Passive• Detecting reflected sunlight or thermal signal

• Computer Cartography

GIS

• Digitizer• Geocoding• Attributes• Digital Imagery• Digital

Elevation Models

• Point, Line, and Polygon Features

Remote Sensing

• Gathering and interpretation of all types of aerial and space imagery

Aerial Photography

• Vertical vs. oblique• True color, near-infrared

Passive Remote Sensing

• Thermal Infrared Scanning (TIR)

• Multi-spectral sensors– Landsat– SPOT– Ikonos– MODIS

Computer Cartography

Exercise 3: GIS Demonstration

Map LinksMap, maps, maps: All about "The World of Maps - Die Welt der Karten" Map Collections Home Page PCL Map Collection Mapping History: The Darkwing Atlas Project MapQuest! Welcome! Excite Maps: Map a U.S. Address GlobeXplorer TopoZone - The Web's Topographic Map Digital Chart of the World Digital Atlas of Idaho The Virtual Earth Atlas of the World Early Washington Maps: A Digital Collection Cartographic Images Home Page USGS National Mapping Information: Home Page Maps101 Plus--Educational Maps--Demo Area Atlas Maps - The National Atlas of the United States of America 3G on W3: The Great Globe Gallery on the World Wide Web David Rumsey Historical Map Collection Heritage Antique Map Museum

*The Map Guide!* - Map links to World, Country and more mapsRaven Maps and Images - "World's most beautiful maps!" Historical Photography of Oregon Oddens bookmarks Earth Sciences & Map Library Home Page Graphic Maps Worlimania - sphere Xerox PARC Map Viewer: world 0.00N 0.00E (1.0X) Amazing Map Collections - MAPS.COM Color Landform Atlas of the United States DeLorme | Maps and Mapping Software Globes, Wallmaps, Topographic Maps, US Maps, the World and the Universe Beyond Maps.com - The Place for Maps Online DRG Maps Map Images and Geographic Information On the Web Find Retailer - USGS Mapping Business Partner Home Page Duiker/Spielvogel Interactive Maps Table of Contents -- Library of Congress Geography and Maps: An Illustrated Guide Oddens' bookmarks. The Fascinating World of Maps and Mapping

Historical Mapshttp://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/map_sites/hist_sites.html

Internet Resources

http://lcweb2.loc.gov/ammem/gmdhtml/

Internet Resources

http://ecaimaps.berkeley.edu/clearinghouse/

Internet Resources

http://www.timemap.net/

Internet Resources

http://www2.cr.nps.gov/gis/

Internet Resources

http://www.geographynetwork.com/

Internet Resources

http://www.esri.com/library/journals/archaeology/index.html