What is

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Maps Two-dimensional, scaled representations of
Earth surface - show spatial data (data with
locational component)
Cartography (map-making) involves 5 design
decisions based on purpose of
map ? Projection ? Simplification ? Scale ? A
ggregation ? Type of Map (thematic or reference)
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THEMATIC MAPS depict characteristics of
places Categorical type - Depict areas that
are different in kind - Use several distinct
colors to show different categories desert fore
st tundra Examples climates, religions
Choropleth type - Depict areas that are
different in amount - Use shades of similar
colors to show different values high
value medium low value Examples population
density, literacy rates
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Example of categorical map
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Example of choropleth map Human Development
Index (HDI) Rankings Includes GNI/PPP, Literacy,
and Life Expectancy
Which regions have high HDI? Which regions have
low HDI? Which places are exceptions?
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Isoline type(Average Daily Solar Radiation)
Lines connect points of equal value
Dot Density type(Wisconsin Acreage in Potatoes)
Each dot represents a frequency of mapped variable
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Proportional Symbol Map (Graduated Circle type)
Size of symbol varies in relation to frequency or
intensity of the mapped variable
Proportional Symbol Map (Flow Vector type)
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Sample Map Projections
Systematic methods of transferring a spherical
surface to a flat map Distortion must occur in
either size, shape, distance, or direction all
projections are compromises
Mercator
Robinson
Polar
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Equal-Area projections best where purpose is to
compare distributions of a variable between
places (They distort shapes to make sizes
correct.) What impressions do you get from this
map?
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The ratio of map distance to earth distance,
measured in the same units
Map Scale
smaller scale Sample Area Covered Fraction
Scale Verbal Scale World 178,000,000 1 in
1,250 mi No. America 136,000,000 1 in 570
mi Central U.S. 1 4,000,000 1 in 64
mi AAA Colo map 1 1,267,200 1 in 20 mi
larger scale
Smaller-scale shows more land area in less
detail. Used to show global patterns. Larger-scal
e shows less land area in more detail. Used on
local maps.
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The scale at which one analyzes an issue is
critical DIA Only major U.S. airport built
since 1980 At the national scale, why did the
location of this airport make sense? At the
local scale, why was it necessary to locate the
airport where it is?
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Map Aggregation
The level of detail for dividing a thematic map
into geographic units Ranges from coarse
divisions (e.g., by countries) to fine divisions
(e.g., by zip codes)
Percent of 1990 pop age 25 with bachelor's
degree Data aggregated by State
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Percent of pop age 25 with bachelor's degree
(1990) Note what information is lost at higher
levels of aggregation
Aggregated by State (northeast close-up)
Aggregated by County (WV, MA)
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2004 Presidential Election Red Bush Blue
Kerry
Source M. Gastner, C. Shalizi, and M. Newman,
University of Michigan http//www-personal.umich.e
du/mejn/election/
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2004 Presidential Election Red Solidly Bush
(70 ) Purples divided redder Bush
majority bluer Kerry majority Blue Solidly
Kerry (70)
By land area
By population
Source M. Gastner, C. Shalizi, and M. Newman,
University of Michigan http//www-personal.umich.e
du/mejn/election/
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Spatial Thinking (Phil Gersmehl, Research in
Geographic Education, 2006)
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Pattern Analysis Density vs. Dispersion
Which square mile has the higher density, (a) or
(b)?
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Various Pattern Arrangements
What phenomena could explain the patterns shown
in A, B, and C?
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Quick mapping activity example of identifying
changes in a spatial pattern, reasons for the
changes, and consequences of these changes With a
partner, map the following (on the same map) 1.
Use a diamond symbol ? for the cities in which
there was a Major League Baseball team in 1952
(16 teams). 2. Use a different symbol for the
locations of MLB teams in 2007 (30 teams).
Coors Field
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Connections What kinds of things are symbolized
by lines on this map?
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Combination of climate, agriculture, and industry
explains population density patterns Where are
some patterns that illustrate this?
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Denver metro area
How does this map illustrate the aura or zone of
influence for Denver? How are hierarchies
symbolized on this map? For which kinds of
services does Denvers aura extend beyond this
map?
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Where could you define a region of
Elvis-lovers? Where are the exceptions? Where
are the outliers?
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Compare the Pacific coasts of North and South
America Which places have analogous climates?
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Middle South America Agricultural Regions
(left) and Population Density (below)
Spot any spatial correlations?
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An example of the importance of spatial thinking
Christian
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TURKIC (Altaic Language Family)
Diversity, exceptions, and edges can
make for interesting case studies or examples
IRANIAN (Indo-European Language Family)
SEMITIC (Afro-Asiatic Language Family)
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Turkey
Knowledge of cultural regions, boundaries, and
transitions is necessary for understanding
conflicts
Syria
Iran
Jordan
Iraq Ethnic Groups
Saudi Arabia
Kuwait
Iraqs population is 29 million sixty percent
are Shia Arab, mostly in the south. Sunni Arabs
are concentrated in the center (western Iraq is
sparsely populated). Over 4 million Iraqis in
northern Iraq are Kurdish. Baghdad is a
transition zone.
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