Maps: Two-dimensional, scaled representations of Earth surface - show spatial data (data with locational component)Cartography (map-making) involves 5 design decisions – based on purpose of map
Projection Simplification Scale Aggregation Type of Map (thematic* or
reference)
THEMATIC MAPS – depict characteristics of places
Categorical type - Depict areas that are different in kind- Use several distinct colors to show different categories
desert forest tundra
Examples: climates, religionsChoropleth type
- Depict areas that are different in amount- Use shades of similar colors to show different values
high value medium low value
Examples: population density, literacy rates
Example of “categorical map”
Example of “choropleth map”Human Development Index (HDI) Rankings
Includes GNI/PPP, Literacy, and Life Expectancy
Which regions have high HDI?Which regions have low HDI?Which places are exceptions?
Isoline type(Average Daily Solar Radiation)Lines connect points of equal value Dot Density type
(Wisconsin Acreage in Potatoes)
Each dot represents a frequency of mapped
variable
Proportional Symbol Map (Graduated Circle type)
Size of symbol varies in relation to frequency or intensity of the mapped
variable
Proportional Symbol Map (Flow Vector type)
Sample Map Projections
Mercator
Systematic methods of transferring a spherical surface to a flat map
Distortion must occur in either size, shape,
distance, or direction – all projections are
compromises
Robinson Polar
Equal-Area projections best where purpose is to compare distributions of a variable
between places(They distort shapes to make sizes correct.)
What impressions do you get from this map?
smaller scaleSample Area Covered Fraction Scale Verbal ScaleWorld 1:78,000,000 1 in = 1,250 mi No. America 1:36,000,000 1 in = 570 miCentral U.S. 1: 4,000,000 1 in = 64 miAAA Colo map 1: 1,267,200 1 in = 20 mi
larger scale
Smaller-scale shows more land area in less detail. Used to show global patterns.
Larger-scale shows less land area in more detail. Used on local maps.
Map Scale The ratio of map distance to earth distance, measured in the same units
The scale at which one analyzes an issue is critical DIA – Only major U.S. airport built since 1980
At the national scale, why did the location of this airport make sense?At the local scale, why was it necessary to locate the airport where it
is?
Percent of 1990 pop age 25+ with bachelor's degree
Data aggregated by State
Map Aggregation The level of detail for dividing a thematic map into
geographic units
Ranges from coarse divisions
(e.g., by countries) to fine divisions (e.g., by zip
codes)
Percent of pop age 25+
with bachelor's degree (1990)
Note what information is lost at higher levels of
aggregation
Aggregated by State
(northeast close-up)
Aggregated by County (WV, MA)
Source: M. Gastner, C. Shalizi, and M. Newman, University of Michiganhttp://www-personal.umich.edu/~mejn/election/
State results, by land area
County results, by land area
State results, by population
County results, by population
2004 Presidential Election Red = Bush; Blue = Kerry
Source: M. Gastner, C. Shalizi, and M. Newman, University of Michiganhttp://www-personal.umich.edu/~mejn/election/
2004 Presidential ElectionRed = Solidly Bush (70% +)
Purples = divided … redder = Bush majority; bluer = Kerry majority
Blue = Solidly Kerry (70%+)
By land area By population
Spatial Thinking(Phil Gersmehl, Research in Geographic Education, 2006)
Pattern Analysis: Density vs. Dispersion
Which square mile has the higher density, (a) or (b)?
Various Pattern Arrangements
What phenomena could explain the patterns shown in
A, B, and C?
Quick mapping activity – example of identifying changes in a spatial pattern, reasons for the changes, and consequences of these changes
With a partner, map the following (on the same map):
1. Use a diamond symbol for the cities in which there was a Major League Baseball team in 1952 (16 teams).
2. Use a different symbol for the locations of MLB teams in 2007 (30 teams).
Coors Field
Connections
What kinds of things
are symbolized by lines on this map?
Combination of climate, agriculture, and industry explains population density
patternsWhere are some patterns that illustrate
this?
Denver metro area
How does this map illustrate the aura
or zone of influence for
Denver?
How are hierarchies
symbolized on this map?
For which kinds of services does Denver’s aura
extend beyond this map?
Where could you define a region of “Elvis-lovers”?Where are the exceptions?Where are the outliers?
Compare the Pacific coasts of North and
South America
Which places have
analogous climates?
Spot any spatial correlations?
Middle & South America Agricultural Regions (left) and Population Density
(below)
Christian
An example of the importance of spatial thinking
TURKIC (Altaic Language Family)
IRANIAN (Indo-European Language Family)
SEMITIC (Afro-Asiatic Language Family)
Diversity,exceptions,and edgescan make
forinteresting
case studiesor
examples
Iraq’s population is 29 million: sixty percent are Shi’a Arab, mostly in the south.
Sunni Arabs are concentrated in the center (western Iraq is sparsely populated).
Over 4 million Iraqis in northern Iraq are Kurdish. Baghdad is a transition zone.
Saudi Arabia Kuwait
Iran
Jordan
Syria
Turkey
Iraq Ethnic Groups
Knowledge of cultural regions, boundaries, and transitions is necessary
for understanding conflicts