Questions and Answers
What is a map?
A map is a two-dimensional or flat-scale model of Earth's surface, or a portion of it.
What is the science of mapmaking called?
Cartography
What are the two purposes that maps serve?
A reference and communication tool
What is the purpose of a map as a reference tool?
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What is the purpose of a map as a communications tool?
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Who first used the term 'geography'?
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What does the term 'geography' mean?
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Who is known as the 'father of Chinese cartography'?
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Who prepared a world map and geography text in 1154?
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During which period was mapmaking as a reference tool revived?
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What is map scale?
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What is the advantage of a large-scale map?
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What advantage does a small-scale map have?
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List the four things that typically become distorted in various projections: 1. The shape; 2. The distance; 3. The relative size; 4. The _______.
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What do all projections have in common?
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Name two important types of projections.
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What place is designated as 0 degrees longitude?
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What is the name of the line drawn at 0 degrees longitude?
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What is the name for the line drawn at 0 degrees latitude?
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How is a degree of longitude or latitude further subdivided?
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How many degrees of longitude do you need to travel across to pass through one 'hour' of time?
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How many time zones are there?
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Which country first adopted time zones and when?
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What is the longitude of the International Date Line?
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What is remote sensing?
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List several things that geographers can map using remotely sensed data.
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What does GPS stand for?
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What does GIS stand for?
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What do geographers use GIS for?
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Give four examples of types of data stored in a single layer.
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What is a mashup in a geographical context?
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What are the advantages of the Mercator Projection?
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What are the disadvantages of the Mercator Projection?
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What are the advantages of the Robinson Projection?
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What are the disadvantages of the Robinson Projection?
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Study Notes
Maps and Cartography
- A map is a two-dimensional model of Earth's surface, scaled for easy use.
- Cartography is the science of mapmaking, essential for creating accurate visual representations.
Purposes of Maps
- Maps serve as reference tools to find routes and identify locations.
- Maps act as communication tools for depicting human activities and physical features.
Geography
- The term "geography" originates from Eratosthenes, who created one of the earliest maps.
- Geography studies the relationships between people and their environments.
Historical Contributions to Geography
- Pei Xiu is known as the "father of Chinese cartography" for creating a detailed map of China in A.D. 267.
- Muhammad al-Idrisi prepared a world map in 1154, contributing significantly to Islamic geography.
Mapmaking Evolution
- The Age of Exploration in the 16th century revitalized mapmaking as a reference tool.
Map Scale
- Map scale indicates the size relationship between features on the map and their actual sizes on Earth.
- Large-scale maps show significant detail of small areas, while small-scale maps illustrate broader trends affecting larger regions.
Map Projections
- Projections convert the round Earth to a flat map but introduce distortions in shape, distance, relative size, and direction.
- Mercator projection and Robinson projection are two significant types, each with advantages and disadvantages in displaying geographic information.
Longitude and Latitude
- The prime meridian is designated at 0 degrees longitude, located at the Royal Observatory of Greenwich, England.
- The equator is the line at 0 degrees latitude.
- Degrees of latitude and longitude can be subdivided into minutes and seconds for precise location identification.
Time Zones
- Each hour of time corresponds to a 15º longitude difference, with 24 time zones worldwide.
- New Zealand was the first to adopt time zones on November 2, 1868, pioneering modern timekeeping.
Remote Sensing
- Remote sensing involves acquiring data from satellites to monitor Earth's surface features.
- Applications include mapping agricultural distribution, drought conditions, and urban sprawl.
Geographical Information Systems (GIS)
- GIS stands for Geographic Information System and is used for storing and analyzing data layers.
- Examples of stored data in GIS include country boundaries, water bodies, transportation networks, and place names.
Mashups
- A mashup overlays data from different sources onto mapping services, enhancing map utility.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Projections
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Mercator Projection:
- Advantages: Minimal shape distortion, consistent direction, rectangular shape.
- Disadvantages: Relative size distortion at the poles makes high-altitude regions appear larger than reality.
-
Robinson Projection:
- Advantages: Effective for oceanic data display.
- Disadvantages: Allocates more space to oceans, resulting in smaller land area representations.
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Description
Explore the fundamentals of maps and cartography in this quiz. Learn about their purposes, historical contributions, and the evolution of mapmaking techniques. Understand key concepts like map scale and the relationship between geography and human activities.