1.2 The Geographer’s 1.2 The Geographer’s ToolsTools

GeographyGeography

1.2 The Geographer’s Tools1.2 The Geographer’s Tools

JournalJournal List the kinds of maps that you are List the kinds of maps that you are

familiar with.familiar with. How do you find Bromley from school?How do you find Bromley from school?

1.2 The Geographer’s Tools1.2 The Geographer’s Tools

Globes and MapsGlobes and Maps GlobeGlobe—a round ball like the Earth. (3D) —a round ball like the Earth. (3D)

Mapmakers could show the continents Mapmakers could show the continents and oceans of the Earth as they really and oceans of the Earth as they really are.are.

What is the problem with the globe? What is the problem with the globe? Can you put it in your pocket and take it Can you put it in your pocket and take it with you on your way to Burlington? with you on your way to Burlington?

A globe cannot be complete enough to A globe cannot be complete enough to be convenient.be convenient.

1.2 The Geographer’s Tools1.2 The Geographer’s Tools

Geographers invented flat maps Geographers invented flat maps (2D)(2D) The problem? The Earth is round, but The problem? The Earth is round, but

the map is flat.the map is flat. You cannot show a round earth on a flat You cannot show a round earth on a flat

map without distortion, a change in map without distortion, a change in accuracy of shapes and distances.accuracy of shapes and distances.

Something is going to look smaller or Something is going to look smaller or larger than it is.larger than it is.

The Science of Mapmaking

• Cartographer – a map maker

q.What is used in making the map?

a.Surveying

• Examining the area to be mapped. This typically involves the use of…

SATELLITESSATELLITES- - gather geographic gather geographic data from the data from the atmosphereatmosphereExamples: GOES Examples: GOES

and Landsatand Landsat

GPS-GPS- Global Global Positioning Positioning System- used to System- used to determine the determine the absolute location. absolute location. Uses satellites to Uses satellites to track.track.

GISGIS- Geographic - Geographic Information Information System- stores a System- stores a variety of types of variety of types of information in information in digital databases. digital databases. The information The information can be combined can be combined to answer to answer geographic geographic questions.questions.

Map Scales:Map Scales:shows the distance represented on the map shows the distance represented on the map compared to the real distance on the earth’s compared to the real distance on the earth’s

surface.surface.

Ratio ScaleRatio Scale- Example: 1’ = - Example: 1’ = 500miles500miles

Bar ScaleBar Scale- Example:- Example:

1.2 The Geographer’s Tools1.2 The Geographer’s Tools

Getting it all on the MapGetting it all on the Map Mercator ProjectionMercator Projection—a method of putting a —a method of putting a

map of the Earth on a flat piece of paper.map of the Earth on a flat piece of paper. This map is used by sailorsThis map is used by sailors On the Mercator Projection Greenland looks bigger On the Mercator Projection Greenland looks bigger

than South America. Greenland is actually only than South America. Greenland is actually only one-eighth as large as South America.one-eighth as large as South America.

Is a type of “Compromise Projection.” Shows Is a type of “Compromise Projection.” Shows correct shapes but not true distances or sizes. correct shapes but not true distances or sizes. Projects a globe onto a cylinder.Projects a globe onto a cylinder.

Mercator Projection MapMercator Projection Map

1.2 The Geographer’s Tools1.2 The Geographer’s Tools

Interrupted ProjectionInterrupted Projection—like a —like a ripped orange peel.ripped orange peel. Another kind of “Compromise Projection.”Another kind of “Compromise Projection.” Also known as a Homolosine.Also known as a Homolosine. By creating gaps in the picture of the By creating gaps in the picture of the

world, mapmakers showed the size and world, mapmakers showed the size and shape of land accurately.shape of land accurately.

The gaps make it impossible to figure The gaps make it impossible to figure distances correctly.distances correctly.

Interrupted Projection MapInterrupted Projection Map

1.2 The Geographer’s Tools1.2 The Geographer’s Tools

Robinson’s ProjectionRobinson’s Projection—shows the —shows the size and shape of most of the land size and shape of most of the land quite accurately.quite accurately. Still ANOTHER kind of Compromise Map.Still ANOTHER kind of Compromise Map. Sizes of the oceans and distances are Sizes of the oceans and distances are

also fairly accuratealso fairly accurate Robinson’s distortions are around the Robinson’s distortions are around the

edge of the map.edge of the map.

Robinson Projection MapRobinson Projection Map

OTHER MAP TYPES: POLAROTHER MAP TYPES: POLAR(aka – Azimuthal)(aka – Azimuthal)

Looking straight Looking straight at the North or at the North or South Pole.South Pole.

Used mostly by Used mostly by airlines.airlines.

Highly distorted.Highly distorted.

1.2 The Geographer’s Tools1.2 The Geographer’s Tools

Parts of a mapParts of a map Compass roseCompass rose—model of a compass—model of a compass Cardinal directionsCardinal directions—north, south, east —north, south, east

and west.and west. KeyKey—(legend) may include symbols for —(legend) may include symbols for

features such as national and state parks, features such as national and state parks, various types of roads, sizes of towns and various types of roads, sizes of towns and cities, or important land marks.cities, or important land marks.

TitleTitle—tells the subject of the map—tells the subject of the map

Some Types of MapsSome Types of Maps PhysicalPhysical- shows the landforms and - shows the landforms and

bodies of water (p.20)bodies of water (p.20) PoliticalPolitical- shows man-made features - shows man-made features

(p21)(p21) ThematicThematic

CartogramCartogram- presents information about a - presents information about a country based on data other than land country based on data other than land size (p22)size (p22)

QualitativeQualitative: uses colors, symbols, dots, : uses colors, symbols, dots, or lines to show patterns (p22)or lines to show patterns (p22)

Flow-lineFlow-line- shows movement (p23)- shows movement (p23)

PHYSICAL MAPPHYSICAL MAP

POLITICAL MAPPOLITICAL MAP

THEMATIC - CARTOGRAMTHEMATIC - CARTOGRAM

THEMATIC - QUALITATIVETHEMATIC - QUALITATIVE

THEMATIC – FLOW LINETHEMATIC – FLOW LINE

REMEMBER THIS IDEA?REMEMBER THIS IDEA?

1.2 The Geographer’s Tools1.2 The Geographer’s Tools

GridGrid—parallels and meridians or letters —parallels and meridians or letters (large country maps) and numbers (large country maps) and numbers (smaller road, city, county, state maps).(smaller road, city, county, state maps).