What is a Map?

Study Notes

A map is a simplified, diminished, plain representation of all or part of the earth's surface as viewed vertically from above.
A map can represent a city, the entire world, or a section of a garden.

A map represents all or part of the earth's surface.
A map is a two-dimensional (plane) representation.
Maps show the earth's surface as if viewed from directly above (bird's-eye view).
All maps are smaller than the area they represent.
Maps are drawn to scale, with features having the same relative proportions as in reality.
Maps are simplified representations.
Maps use generally accepted symbols to represent natural, artificial, or cultural features.
Maps use conventional notations to provide background information (title, date, scale).

Maps are among our oldest tools, with people creating maps even in primitive times.
There are two main stages of historical development: traditional map-making and modern map-making.

Traditional maps have been made in many ways using materials like sticks, shells, clay tablets, parchment, paper, and solid plates of silver.
Many traditional maps were locational, showing locations of water holes, hunting grounds, and paths.
Collecting measurements of distances, directions, areas, and locations was a great challenge.
Traditional map-making was laborious, tiresome, and often inaccurate.

Modern scientific mapping has its roots in the 17th century.
Advances in science and technology led to accurate map-making (cartography).
Modern map-making uses aerial photography, satellite imagery, and computers to acquire spatial information.
Computers are valuable in making maps, from collection to reproduction.

Maps are very important in geography for identifying locations, distance, area, and direction.
Maps show the location of places, allowing users to find the shortest distance between two points.