{{Models, Maps, & SystemsModels, Maps, & Systems

MODEL

What is a model?

•A miniature representation of reality

Other definitions of “model”:- an example for imitation or emulation- a person who poses for an artist- a description or analogy used to help visualize something- a system of postulates, data, and inferences

71% water, 29% landmass71% water, 29% landmass ““Bumpy oblate spheroid”Bumpy oblate spheroid”

Bumpy, because of the topographyBumpy, because of the topography Oblate, because spinning objects bulge slightlyOblate, because spinning objects bulge slightly Spheroid, because that’s what it most resembles!Spheroid, because that’s what it most resembles!

CartographyCartography, the art and science of map-making, helps , the art and science of map-making, helps us make sense of our world and the things in it.us make sense of our world and the things in it.

Our World!Our World!

Two major characteristics of maps as models:Two major characteristics of maps as models:

1.1. Globe Grid: based upon latitude-longitude coordinates: based upon latitude-longitude coordinates latitude lines (parallels, 0-90) – decrease in length closer to poleslatitude lines (parallels, 0-90) – decrease in length closer to poles longitude lines (meridians 0-180) – converge at the poleslongitude lines (meridians 0-180) – converge at the poles scale on Earth’s surface is same everywherescale on Earth’s surface is same everywhere Note: 180 degrees longitude is NOT the same as the Note: 180 degrees longitude is NOT the same as the

International Date Line!International Date Line!

2.2. Map Projections: making a flat map of a round surface: making a flat map of a round surface

* * AllAll maps distort the globe grid properties maps distort the globe grid properties

Maps as Models Maps as Models (miniature representations of spatial reality)(miniature representations of spatial reality)

 

World Geographic GridWorld Geographic Grid

The world geographic grid consists of meridians of longitude and parallels of latitude. The prime meridian (0º) passes through Greenwich, England

I. Planar Projection II. Cylindrical III. Conic ProjectionI. Planar Projection II. Cylindrical III. Conic Projection (Azimuthal) Projection (Azimuthal) Projection

The Robinson Projection: A The Robinson Projection: A Nice CompromiseNice Compromise

http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/media/selecting-map-projection/?ar_a=1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVX-PrBRtTY

Maps are funky.Maps are funky.

Which is the small-Which is the small-scale map?scale map?

City of Edmonton

Neighborhood in Edmonton

Reference MapsReference Maps: : simple physical information depicted, general purposesimple physical information depicted, general purpose““What is there?”What is there?”

Topography, atlas maps, highway and city maps, etc.Topography, atlas maps, highway and city maps, etc.

Two Types of Maps: Two Types of Maps: Reference Maps & Thematic MapsReference Maps & Thematic Maps

Examples of topographic maps Examples of topographic maps (shows elevation through (shows elevation through contour linescontour lines) )

                             

                             

Thematic Maps: : more complicated information, such as population or more complicated information, such as population or educational level depicted educational level depicted

Can be Can be quantitativequantitative or or qualitativequalitative..What’s the difference?What’s the difference?

How many vs. whereHow many vs. where

Types of Thematic MapsTypes of Thematic Maps::

Choropleth maps – choro (regions) plethora (amount) Dot maps – depicts the level of occurrenceGraduated circle maps – circles of different size show magnitudeIsometric maps – shows changes by connected lines Cartograms – – scale based on statistical datascale based on statistical data

Choropleth!Choropleth!

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/03/10/us/20090310-immigration-explorer.html?_r=0

Another cool Another cool choropleth!choropleth!

Dot maps!Dot maps!

Graduate circle maps!Graduate circle maps!

The growth of collegiate soccerThe growth of collegiate soccer

Isometric maps!Isometric maps!

Cartogram!Cartogram!

GIS & Remote SensingGIS & Remote Sensing

GIS stores information about a location in several layers

GIS (Geographic Information Systems): uses powerful computer programs to layer several sets of data

remote sensing: satellites pictures used to layer data

SystemsSystems: Using Maps to Reveal Patterns: Using Maps to Reveal Patterns

system: a group of interrelated, interdependent, or interacting elements forming a collective entity

mental mapsmental maps: representations of our own image of the world: representations of our own image of the world

Mental maps (cognitive maps)Mental maps (cognitive maps)

Wait…Wait…What kinds of maps What kinds of maps were these again?were these again?