MAPS AND CARTOGRAPHY
Maps
A geographers important tool
- shows how different features are related
- all maps share the same common elements
- a graphic representation or scale model of spatial concepts
- a means for conveying geographic information
- universal medium for communication, easily understood, appreciated by people
regardless of language or culture
Old Maps
provide information about what was known in times past, as well as the philosophy
and cultural basis of the map
- maps are one means by which scientists distribute their ideas and pass them to
future generations
The Elements
(1) Title for acquiring information efficiently; identifies the map area and he type of
map
(2) Legend - map key; where information to read map is found; symbols or colors are
used to represent different geographic features;
(3) Scale - compare distance measured on the map to the actual distance on the
surface of the earth; appear on maps in different forms, usually a line scale is used
as a point of reference
(4) Directional Indicator helps determine the orientation of the map; north arrow
points to the North Pole; others use compass rose with arrows pointing to all four
cardinal directions
(5) Inset Maps smaller maps on the same sheet of paper; provide additional
information not shown on the larger map; drawn at a larger and more readable
scale; usually features areas of interest related to the larger map
Cartography
study and practice of making maps, combining science, aesthetics, and technique
about representation the map/ the whole process of mapping
includes everything from the gathering, evaluation and processing of source data,
through the intellectual and graphical design of the map, to the drawing and
reproduction of the final document
Fundamental problems for traditional cartography
Set the map's agenda and select traits of the object to be mapped. This is the
concern of map editing. Traits may be physical, such as roads or land masses, or
may be abstract, such as toponyms or political boundaries.
Represent the terrain of the mapped object on flat media. This is the concern of
map projections.
Eliminate characteristics of the mapped object that are not relevant to the map's
purpose. This is the concern of generalization.
Reduce the complexity of the characteristics that will be mapped. This is also the
concern of generalization.
Orchestrate the elements of the map to best convey its message to its audience.
This is the concern of map design.
References:
https://www.bsu.edu/libraries/collections/gcmc/tutorials/pdfs/mapscartography
mapelements.pdf
http://web1.cnre.vt.edu/lsg/Intro/History_of_maps.pdf
http://cca-acc.org/resources/what-is-cartography/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cartography