Appendix A: Maps

APPENDIX A: MAPSAPHUG | BHS | Ms. Justice

Maps Any map is an incomplete representation of

reality:1. It is smaller than the world it represents2. It must depict a curved surface on a flat plane3. It contains symbols to convey information that

must be transmitted to the reader These are three fundamental properties of

all maps:1. Scale2. Projection3. Symbols

Map Scale The scale of a map reveals how much

the real world has been reduced to fit on the page or screen on which it appears

The ratio between actual distance and the length given to that distance on the map that can be represented: Ratio (1:10,000) Fraction (1/10,000) Graphic form

Map Scale "Large scale" refers to maps on which

objects are relatively large, "small scale" to maps on which objects are relatively small.

Map Projections: Latitude & Longitude

Lines of latitude and longitude provide a frame of reference for cartographers

Prime Meridian, Greenwich, England

Map Projections: Mercator Projection

Invented in 1859 by a Flemish cartographer

Cylindrical projection Parallels and meridians cross at right

angles Direction is true everywhere on this map

– excellent for navigation Distortion grows toward the poles –

continents appear stretched out and misshapen in higher latitudes

Map Projections: Mercator Projection

Map Projections: Robinson Projection

Developed by American cartographer Arthur Robinson in 1963

Lines of longitude curve toward each other in polar regions

Substantially reduces the exaggerated size of polar land masses (better approximates shape)

Lacks the directional utility of the Mercator projections

Used by the National Geographic Society since 1988

Map Projections: Robinson Projection

Map Projections: Interrupted Projection

Broken meridians Typically, breaks are designed to fall

upon less important areas, like oceans Equal-area map that avoids distortions

or land masses

Map Projections: Interrupted Projection

Symbols on Maps: Examples Prominent dots = cities Large dot w/a circle around it, or a star =

capital Red lines = roads Double lines = 4 lane highways Black lines = railroads Blue = water Green = forests Etc.

Symbols on Maps: Dot Map A dot map shows a spatial representation

On this map, each dot represents the location of a commercial cell phone tower in the U. S.

Lines represent a certain consistent height above sea level

Symbols on Maps: Contour Map

Other Maps: Thematic Maps

Other Maps: Flow-Line Maps Good for determining

movement – such as migration

Other Maps: Choropleth Maps Put data into a spatial format. Useful for determining demographic

data, by assigning colors or patterns to areas

Other Maps: Cartograms Chart and assign data by size

World population

World child mortality