Geography “Geo”= Earth, “Graphy”= to write Geography is divided into two categories Physical: natural forces such as climates, landforms, types of vegetation Human: where human activities are located such as industry, religion, language, etc. In AP Human Geography we are concerned with Where and Why?

Maps Maps are the primary tools geographers use to display and analyze information. Geography is distinguished from other subjects by its reliance on maps. Today you will be looking at the different ways in which maps display information and are designed.

 Type of Map (thematic* or reference) 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  Aggregation  Type of Map (thematic* or reference) DISCUSSION: * Break this definition down and explain what each part means.

THEMATIC MAPS – depict characteristics of places Categorical type - Depict areas that are different in kind - Use several distinct colors to show different categories desert forest 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

Example of “categorical map”

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?

Isoline type (Average Daily Solar Radiation) Lines connect points of equal value DISCUSSION: * Do you have a preference among these two types of maps? * Do you find one of these easier to understand than the other? Dot Density type (Wisconsin Acreage in Potatoes) Each dot represents a frequency of mapped variable

Proportional (Graduated) Symbol Map Size of symbol varies in relation to frequency or intensity of the mapped variable DISCUSSION: * What are some of the advantages of each of the four types of thematic maps?

Cartogram

Systematic methods of transferring a spherical surface to a flat map 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 DISCUSSION: * How are these two map projections different? * Which do you prefer? Which one is more popular? Robinson Polar

(They distort shapes to make sizes correct.) 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?

Larger-scale shows less land area in more detail. Used on local maps. 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 1:78,000,000 1 in = 1,250 mi No. America 1:36,000,000 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-scale shows less land area in more detail. Used on local maps.

Which of the following maps of Chicago is small-scale and which one is large-scale?

2004 Presidential Election Red = Bush; Blue = Kerry State results, by land area County results, by land area State results, by population County results, by population Source: M. Gastner, C. Shalizi, and M. Newman, University of Michigan http://www-personal.umich.edu/~mejn/election/

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.edu/~mejn/election/

Map Making Technology GIS (Geographic Information System) Uses a computer system to store information about various locations Produces maps with greater accuracy Information can be stored in layers to analyze different features

Map Making Technology Remote Sensing Remote sensing uses satellites to gather and display information about the earth

Map Making Technology GPS (Global Positioning System) Determines the precise position of something on Earth Information is received from satellites

(Phil Gersmehl, Research in Geographic Education, 2006) Spatial Thinking (Phil Gersmehl, Research in Geographic Education, 2006)

Pattern Analysis: Density vs. Dispersion Which square mile has the higher density, (a) or (b)?

Various Pattern Arrangements What phenomena could explain the patterns shown in A, B, and C?

What kinds of things are symbolized by lines on this map? Connections What kinds of things are symbolized by lines on this map?

Where are some patterns that illustrate this? Combination of climate, agriculture, and industry explains population density patterns Where are some patterns that illustrate this?

How does this map illustrate the aura or zone of influence for Denver? 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 Denver’s aura extend beyond this map?

Where could you define a region of “Elvis-lovers”? Where are the exceptions? Where are the outliers?