Questions and Answers
What is the definition of cartography?
What type of map displays specific data or information?
What is a map projection?
What is the main advantage of the Mercator Projection?
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What type of map scale shows a small area in great detail?
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What is a Representative Fraction (RF)?
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What is the main purpose of a Cognitive Map?
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What is a common use for a Navigational Map?
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What is the origin of the word 'cartography'?
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What is the main advantage of the Gall-Peters Projection?
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Study Notes
Cartography
Definition and History
- Cartography is the study and practice of creating maps, which are visual representations of geographic data
- Cartography has a long history, dating back to ancient civilizations such as the Babylonians, Greeks, and Romans
- The word "cartography" comes from the Greek words "chartis" (map) and "graphia" (writing)
Types of Maps
- Topographic Maps: show relief, elevation, and other physical features of an area
- Thematic Maps: display specific data or information, such as climate, population, or economic activity
- Reference Maps: show the location of features, such as cities, roads, and boundaries
- Navigational Maps: designed for navigation, such as aeronautical or nautical charts
- Cognitive Maps: mental maps that people use to understand and navigate their surroundings
Map Projections
- A map projection is a way of representing the curved surface of the Earth on a flat surface
- Mercator Projection: a cylindrical projection that preserves angles and shapes well, but distorts size and distance near the poles
- Gall-Peters Projection: a cylindrical projection that preserves area and shape, but distorts angles and distance
- Azimuthal Projection: a projection that preserves angles and shapes well, but distorts size and distance
Map Scales
- Large Scale: a scale that shows a small area in great detail (e.g. 1:10,000)
- Small Scale: a scale that shows a large area in less detail (e.g. 1:1,000,000)
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Scale Types: there are three types of scales:
- Representative Fraction (RF): a ratio of the distance on the map to the corresponding distance in reality
- Verbal Scale: a written description of the scale (e.g. "one inch equals one mile")
- Graphic Scale: a diagram that shows the relationship between the map distance and the real-world distance
Cartographic Tools and Techniques
- GIS (Geographic Information System): a computer-based system for capturing, storing, analyzing, and displaying geographically referenced data
- Remote Sensing: the acquisition of data about the Earth's surface through the use of sensors that are not in direct physical contact with the object or area being observed
- Cartographic Software: software used to create, edit, and analyze maps, such as ArcGIS, QGIS, and Google Earth
Cartography
Definition and History
- Cartography is the study and practice of creating maps, which are visual representations of geographic data
- Cartography has a rich history dating back to ancient civilizations such as the Babylonians, Greeks, and Romans
- The term "cartography" originates from the Greek words "chartis" (map) and "graphia" (writing)
Types of Maps
- Topographic Maps: Display relief, elevation, and other physical features of an area
- Thematic Maps: Show specific data or information, such as climate, population, or economic activity
- Reference Maps: Display the location of features, such as cities, roads, and boundaries
- Navigational Maps: Designed for navigation, such as aeronautical or nautical charts
- Cognitive Maps: Mental maps that people use to understand and navigate their surroundings
Map Projections
- A map projection is a way of representing the curved surface of the Earth on a flat surface
- Mercator Projection: A cylindrical projection that preserves angles and shapes well, but distorts size and distance near the poles
- Gall-Peters Projection: A cylindrical projection that preserves area and shape, but distorts angles and distance
- Azimuthal Projection: A projection that preserves angles and shapes well, but distorts size and distance
Map Scales
- Large Scale: A scale that shows a small area in great detail (e.g., 1:10,000)
- Small Scale: A scale that shows a large area in less detail (e.g., 1:1,000,000)
- Scale Types: Three types of scales exist: • Representative Fraction (RF): A ratio of the distance on the map to the corresponding distance in reality • Verbal Scale: A written description of the scale (e.g., "one inch equals one mile") • Graphic Scale: A diagram that shows the relationship between the map distance and the real-world distance
Cartographic Tools and Techniques
- GIS (Geographic Information System): A computer-based system for capturing, storing, analyzing, and displaying geographically referenced data
- Remote Sensing: The acquisition of data about the Earth's surface through the use of sensors that are not in direct physical contact with the object or area being observed
- Cartographic Software: Software used to create, edit, and analyze maps, such as ArcGIS, QGIS, and Google Earth
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Description
Learn about the definition, history, and types of maps in cartography, including topographic and thematic maps.