The Geographer’s The Geographer’s ToolsTools

Maps and GlobesMaps and Globes A geographer’s tools include A geographer’s tools include mapsmaps, , globesglobes, ,

and and datadata that can be displayed in a variety of that can be displayed in a variety of ways. ways.

Oldest known map: Babylonian clay tablet, Oldest known map: Babylonian clay tablet, circa 500 B.C.circa 500 B.C.

A map’s functionA map’s function: to show locations of places, : to show locations of places, landforms, and bodies of water, and where landforms, and bodies of water, and where they are in relation to other parts of the earth.they are in relation to other parts of the earth.

Two or Three DimensionsTwo or Three Dimensions GlobeGlobe—a—a three-dimensional three-dimensional

representation (a sphere) of Earthrepresentation (a sphere) of Earth• Most accurate replication of EarthMost accurate replication of Earth• Globes can show the "Great Circle Globes can show the "Great Circle

Route" - the shortest distance Route" - the shortest distance between any two points on the between any two points on the earth's surface earth's surface

Map—a two-dimensional graphic representation of Earth’s surface

CartographyCartography

CartographersCartographers are mapmakers. They draw are mapmakers. They draw and create different types of map and create different types of map projections.projections.

• While maps are very useful in studying While maps are very useful in studying

Geography, even the best drawn maps can be Geography, even the best drawn maps can be inaccurate. The actual size of countries and inaccurate. The actual size of countries and their distance from one another can be their distance from one another can be distorted. distorted.

• What causes distortion?What causes distortion?

Map ProjectionMap Projection

Cartographers attempt to transfer Cartographers attempt to transfer the earth- a round, spherical globe- the earth- a round, spherical globe- to flat paper.to flat paper.

Areas, angles, directions, shapes and Areas, angles, directions, shapes and distances can become distorted distances can become distorted when transferred from a curved when transferred from a curved surface to a flat planesurface to a flat plane

Mercator ProjectionMercator Projection

The best know The best know map projection map projection is named for its is named for its inventor, inventor, Gerardus Gerardus Mercator, who Mercator, who developed it in developed it in 15691569

Primarily used Primarily used by sailors for by sailors for navigation.navigation.

Robinson ProjectionRobinson Projection

Was a compromise projection developed by Arthur Was a compromise projection developed by Arthur Robinson, a leading educator in cartographyRobinson, a leading educator in cartography

This projection shows the whole earth uninterrupted This projection shows the whole earth uninterrupted with reasonable shapeswith reasonable shapes

Types of MapsTypes of Maps

There are There are threethree main types of maps: main types of maps:

1) 1) Physical MapPhysical Map2) 2) Political MapPolitical Map3) 3) Thematic MapThematic Map

Physical MapsPhysical Maps

Physical mapsPhysical maps help help you see the types of you see the types of landforms and landforms and bodies of water bodies of water found in specific found in specific area. Color, area. Color, shading, or contour shading, or contour lines are used to lines are used to indicate elevation indicate elevation or altitude.or altitude.

Political MapsPolitical Maps

Political mapsPolitical maps show political show political boundaries on boundaries on earth’s surface earth’s surface that humans that humans created. Included created. Included on a political map on a political map may be cities, may be cities, states, provinces, states, provinces, territories, or territories, or countries. countries.

Thematic MapsThematic MapsGeographers also rely on Geographers also rely on thematic mapsthematic maps, which focus , which focus on specific types of on specific types of information such as information such as climate, climate, vegetation, natural vegetation, natural resources, population resources, population density, and economic density, and economic activitiesactivities..

Other Thematic MapsOther Thematic Maps

Flow-Line Maps Flow-Line Maps Cartograms Cartograms

Reading a MapReading a Map • TitleTitle- The title explains the subject of the map and gives you an idea of what - The title explains the subject of the map and gives you an idea of what

information the map conveys.information the map conveys.

• Compass RoseCompass Rose-- The compass rose shows you the north (N), south (S), east (E), The compass rose shows you the north (N), south (S), east (E), and west (W) directions on the map.and west (W) directions on the map.

• LabelsLabels- Labels are words or phrases that explain features on the map. - Labels are words or phrases that explain features on the map.

• LegendLegend- A legend or key lists and explains the symbols and use of color on the - A legend or key lists and explains the symbols and use of color on the map.map.

• Lines of LatitudeLines of Latitude-- These are imaginary lines that measure distance north or These are imaginary lines that measure distance north or south of the equator. (parallels)south of the equator. (parallels)

• Lines of LongitudeLines of Longitude-- These are imaginary lines that measure distance east or These are imaginary lines that measure distance east or west of the prime meridian. (meridians)west of the prime meridian. (meridians)

• ScaleScale- A scale shows the ratio between a unit of length on the map and a unit of - A scale shows the ratio between a unit of length on the map and a unit of distance on the earth.distance on the earth.

• SymbolsSymbols- Symbols represent such items as capital cities, economic activities, or - Symbols represent such items as capital cities, economic activities, or natural resources. natural resources.

• ColorsColors- Colors represent a variety of information on a map. The map legend - Colors represent a variety of information on a map. The map legend indicates what the colors mean.indicates what the colors mean.

Cartographer AssignmentCartographer Assignment

Draw a map showing two locations at least 5 Draw a map showing two locations at least 5 miles apart. Such as your home and NPHS. miles apart. Such as your home and NPHS.

Must include all the following:Must include all the following:• TitleTitle• LabelsLabels• LegendLegend• Compass RoseCompass Rose• Latitude/LongitudeLatitude/Longitude• Scale (ex: 1 inch = 1 mile)Scale (ex: 1 inch = 1 mile)• Symbols (minimum of 12)Symbols (minimum of 12)• Full ColorFull Color

The Science of MapmakingThe Science of Mapmaking

Surveyors Surveyors observe, measure, record what they observe, measure, record what they see in a specific area see in a specific area

Remote sensing, gathering geographic data from Remote sensing, gathering geographic data from a distance, includes:a distance, includes:

- aerial photography- aerial photography

- satellite imaging- satellite imaging

The Science of MapmakingThe Science of Mapmaking

Best known satellites are Best known satellites are LandsatLandsat and and GOESGOES

Landsat Landsat is a series of satellites; can is a series of satellites; can scan entire planet in 16 daysscan entire planet in 16 days

The Science of MapmakingThe Science of Mapmaking

Geostationary Operational Geostationary Operational Environment Satellite (GOES)Environment Satellite (GOES)::- orbits in sync with Earth’s rotation- orbits in sync with Earth’s rotation- gathers images of atmospheric - gathers images of atmospheric conditionsconditions

The Science of MapmakingThe Science of Mapmaking

Geographic Information Systems Geographic Information Systems (GIS)(GIS) is a digital geographic is a digital geographic databasedatabase

- Combines and displays information - Combines and displays information from many sourcesfrom many sources

The Science of MapmakingThe Science of Mapmaking

Global Positioning System Global Positioning System (GPS)(GPS):Uses series of 24 Navstar :Uses series of 24 Navstar satellites to beam information to satellites to beam information to EarthEarth

- Hand-held GPS receivers on Earth - Hand-held GPS receivers on Earth display exact positiondisplay exact position

- GPS used by explorers, sailors, - GPS used by explorers, sailors, drivers; also used to track animalsdrivers; also used to track animals