GEOGRAPHY BASICS Maps and Models AP HG SRMHS
GEOGRAPHY BASICS Maps and Models AP HG SRMHS Mr. Hensley
Intro to Maps • Maps are the essential tool of geography • They take places chosen by some criteria and assign them to a feature on the map • Maps translate a world too big to be observed into a relatable form • Maps require decisions
Scale and Projection • Scale refers to the relation between the size of the object in the real world and its corresponding feature on the map (Ex. 1 -10) • The bigger the scale, the less detail will be possible • Projection is the method chosen to translate 3 D to 2 D • Tradeoff between accurate shape and area
Location versus Thematic Maps • Location (or “general purpose”) maps show basic landscape features • Thematic maps have a theme – they focus on a category of data overlaid on a landscape • Location maps tell you where things are in space • Thematic maps show some parameter varies across space • They tell a story
Types of Thematic Maps • Dot and graduated circles: dots indicate occurrences, size of circles indicates frequency • Isometric or isopleth maps have lines that connect points of equal value over boundaries • Choropleth maps show the variation within the various boundaries
2012 Election Cartograms
Remote Sensing and GIS • Remote sensing simply involves observing an area from a distance – an RS problem: interpretation of satellite photos • GIS (geographic information systems) involves overlaying multiple maps (land use, terrain, water, businesses) in a database and letting the end user create custom views as they see fit
Maps as Models: Mental Maps • Our brains map our surroundings subjectively (a mental map) • A model is a simplified version of reality that helps us see causation and make predictions • Our brains receive selected data and use it to create a model of the outside world • All maps are models
Model: Environmental Determinism
Five Themes 1. Place (describe it) 2. Region (pick your criteria for sorting) 3. Location (where is it, both absolute and relative) 4. The human-environment interaction (which way does causation go? ) 5. Movement through space (migration, diffusion)
- Slides: 15