Unit 1

Reference map

The map displays the boundaries, names and unique identifiers of standard geographic areas, as well as major cultural and physical features. Ex. Map of Louisville or World

A thematic map is a map that emphasizes a particular theme or a special topic

Thematic map

Cartogram

This map distorts land area to show changes in value.

Choropleth Map

This map uses different shades to show the variation of the values.

Dot Map

Uses dots to show different values

Graduated Symbol

This map uses a symbol to represent a certain value. The larger the symbol, the higher the value, and vice versa.

lsoline Maps

Maps with lines drawn to link different places that share a common value.

Relative space

Space that is created and defined by humans

Absolute location

With an QUANTITATIVE (numerical) measure (meaning location location, distance, and direction)

EX:

• location: 30°N, 25°W (longitude/latitude)

• distance: in mi., km., etc.

• direction: north, south, east, west (directions on a compass)

Relative Location

With a QUALITATIVE (descriptive) measure that is represented by comparing it to a known geographical feature.

EX:

• location: near the Washington Monument

• distance: 30 minutes South

• direction: left, right, front, etc.

Distance and Direction

Absolute and relative

Dispersal/Scattered

Appears to be distributed over a wide area

Sinuous

Shown in a wavy configuration

Uniform

Evenly spaced

Elevation

Using levels of how high/low something is located on the Earth’s surface

Random

Configured in no specific pattern

Clustering/Clumped

Grouped/bunched together

Agglomeration

Grouped together purposely

Linear

Shown in a line configuration

MERCATOR PROJECTION

Type & Creator: Conformal 1569 - Gerardus Mercator

Distortion: Poles appear much larger than they are (areas become larger with latitude)

Purpose: Best map for nautical use to help ship captains

Benefits: Preserves 90° angles and straight lines of longitude and latitude Shows true direction

ROBINSON PROJECTION

Type & Creator: Compromise 1963 - Arthur Robinson

Distortion: Distorts poles

Purpose: Commonly used by schools

Benefits: Shows accurate shapes and sizes (area) of land masses

PETERS PROJECTION

Type & Creator: Equal-Area 1967 - Arno Peters

Distortion: Distorts oceans

Purpose: Used for navigation & Used in world maps

Benefits: Not much distortion of continents (size is preserved) Superior alternative to Mercator

POLAR PROJECTION

Type & Creator: Azimuthal Equidistant 1581- Guillaume Postel

Distortion: Distorts land size & Distorts parallels of latitude

Purpose: Used by airline pilots to navigate best routes around the Earth

Benefits: Distances from the center (poles) are preserved

Geographic Information System (GIS)-

• A system designed to collect, store, analyze, and present georeferenced data

  (Data tied to locations on Earth)

• Built around spatial and attribute information

• Criticized for being too expensive, creating a power divide, and promoting a strongly Western view of the world.

• Used in all fields of study to make maps that communicate, perform analysis, share information, and solve problems around the world.

Remote Sensing

• Gathers information on Earth by using sensors on aircrafts and satellites without making any physical contact with the object (giving it the name remote sensing).

• Has applications in many fields including natural resource management, hazard assessment, and coastal and ocean applications.

Satellite Navigational Systems

• System of satellites that provide geospatial positioning.

• Allows electronic receivers (Ex: phone) to determine their location with precision.

  • Ex: - Russia’s Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) - China’s BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) - United States’ Global Positioning System (GPS)

Field Observations

Where you observe people in absolute space and situations

Media Reports

Communication from media companies about different human interactions

Travel Narratives

Written first hand accounts from people visiting a place

Policy Documents

Official papers that define the rules, guidelines, and regulations of a place

Personal Interviews

Someone explaining their observations or opinions

Landscape Analysis

A study of how the land is being used and of the human environment interactions

Photographic Interpretation

The studying of a photograph

Geospatial Data

Is any data with a geographic aspect that refers to a position on the earth: a house, building, landmark, etc.

• Processed and analyzed by geographical tools

  • Ex: Remote Sensing, GPS, and GIS

• Categorized as either vector or raster data

Vector data

• Uses points, lines, and polygons.

• Represents spatial features like cities, roads, and streams.

Raster data

• Made up of grid cells and pixels. Each pixel has a value.

• Shows elevation, satellite images, or paper maps

Uses of Geospatial Data

• Businesses incorporate geospatial data into their analysis reporting, and forecasting to exceed competitors through smarter use of their data.

• Governments use geospatial data from censuses to show who people are, where they live, and to draw out congressional and state legislative districts.

• Governments also use geographical tools like remote sensing, GIS, and GPS for satellite imagery

Distance Decay

The tapering off of a process, pattern, or event because of distance

Time-Space Compression

The process of when advances in transportation and communication lessen the effect of distance

Place

• Locality distinguished by specific physical and social characteristics

• Places can be identified by their absolute or relative location as well as their site and situation

• Contributes to the social, political, and economic functioning of our world

Absolute space

• Refers to an area whose dimensions can be precisely measured

• Often compared to a container \

• A formal cultural region is a good example of absolute space

Relative Space

• Created and defined by human interactions

• Can be represented by a network of linked nodes

Sustainability

Development that benefits the present generation without compromising natural resources and the environment in future generations

Crop rotation

Rotating different types of crops around a field each year

[Sustainable because]⤵

• No chemicals or pesticides

• No fallow period (period where soil isn't used)

Land use

Changing the natural environment to make a more advanced environment made up of settlements, buildings, fields, etc.

Five types of land use

• Recreational (sports fields, playgrounds)

• Transportation (highways, railroads)

• Residential (housing)

Determinism

The view that natural factors solely control the development of human qualities

[Basic Concept]⤵

How humans think, behave, and act is determined by the natural climate they are in

Criticisms of Determinism

• Cultures could say they are superior to others, based only on the climate that they live in

• It was a very simple, cause-and-effect relationship, and other nonenvironmental factors also diversify us

• Similar climate settings have been proven not to produce the same cultures or behaviors

Possibilism

The view that people, instead of bowing to the conditions of the environment they live in, use their creativity to adapt, respond and overcome them

[Basic Concept]

• Humans have choices and their decision-making is the main factor in determining their success

• The natural environment is still a factor that develops human culture and can make success more or less challenging

Scale

The relationship of the size of a map to the amount of area it represents on the earth

Large scale

Shows less area in greater detail

Small scale

Shows larger area in less detail

Scale of analysis

The level at which the data is displayed.

Global Scale

• Shows the world at one level of data

• Ex: World

• This level of analysis is usually not that useful

  (Small Scale)

Regional Scale

• Shows data by continents or world regions

• Ex: In this map Australia has the highest GDP per capita (PPP)

  (Small Scale)

National Scale

• Shows data for one or more countries

• Ex: In this map India has a high population density

  (Large Scale)

Local Scale

• Shows subnational data

• Ex: the states within the United States (could also show even more localized like counties, zip codes)

  (Large Scale)

Formal Region

• Region described by having unifying cultural or physical characteristics

• Traits that can characterize a formal region: o Religion o Language o Political Boundaries o Ethnicity

Functional Region

Region defined by a political, social, or economic characteristic. The area must also have a center of activity (a node), like a corporation, entity, or business that organizes the activity.

Perceptual Region (Vernacular Region)

Region characterized by a population's sense of identity and attraction towards an area, and tend to have less defined boundaries. Boundaries are subject to individual interpretation