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Unit 1: Methods of Geographic Inquiry A geographer’s basic tools!

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Presentation on theme: "Unit 1: Methods of Geographic Inquiry A geographer’s basic tools!"— Presentation transcript:

1 Unit 1: Methods of Geographic Inquiry A geographer’s basic tools!

2 Maps and Globes Introductory Video Introductory Video http://videos.howstuffworks.com/hs w/8402-basics-of-geography-ii- maps-and-globes-video.htm http://videos.howstuffworks.com/hs w/8402-basics-of-geography-ii- maps-and-globes-video.htm http://videos.howstuffworks.com/hs w/8402-basics-of-geography-ii- maps-and-globes-video.htm http://videos.howstuffworks.com/hs w/8402-basics-of-geography-ii- maps-and-globes-video.htm

3 Map Projections Because the earth is a sphere, the only true way to represent the earth is with a ball or sphere. To fully represent the earth, geographers and scientists alike have created the globe. Because the earth is a sphere, the only true way to represent the earth is with a ball or sphere. To fully represent the earth, geographers and scientists alike have created the globe. Imagine yourself as a tourist in New York City. Wouldn’t it be difficult to walk around 45 th Street with a globe in your back pocket? Imagine yourself as a tourist in New York City. Wouldn’t it be difficult to walk around 45 th Street with a globe in your back pocket? Therefore, geographers created maps! Therefore, geographers created maps!

4 Map Projections When features of a globe (or the earth) are transferred to a flat surface, ie: a piece of paper of computer monitor, a map projection is created. When features of a globe (or the earth) are transferred to a flat surface, ie: a piece of paper of computer monitor, a map projection is created. There are several ways to transfer the 3- Dimensional shapes to a 2-Dimensional surface There are several ways to transfer the 3- Dimensional shapes to a 2-Dimensional surface

5 Map Projections When a map projection is created, however, there is distortion that occurs When a map projection is created, however, there is distortion that occurs Distortion occurs in the shape and size of the natural features Distortion occurs in the shape and size of the natural features Because we are transferring the natural features to a 2D surface, we have to stretch or compress some of those natural features. Because we are transferring the natural features to a 2D surface, we have to stretch or compress some of those natural features.

6 Types of Map Projections

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9 Interrupted Projection: There are many different types of interrupted projection maps. These types of maps try to depict the continents as accurately as possible by leaving blank space in the less important areas of the map, such as in the oceans. Interrupted Projection: There are many different types of interrupted projection maps. These types of maps try to depict the continents as accurately as possible by leaving blank space in the less important areas of the map, such as in the oceans.

10 Types of Map Projections The most commonly used map is the Mercator Map The most commonly used map is the Mercator Map developed by Gerardus Mercator, a Flemish mapmaker, in 1569 developed by Gerardus Mercator, a Flemish mapmaker, in 1569

11 Map Projection Take the oranges on the right. If we were to draw a triangle on the oranges and then peel the orange. From the peels we would then flatten them as best as possible. What would the triangle look like?

12 Mercator Map Projection In the Mercator Map Projection In the Mercator Map Projection angles are preservedangles are preserved distances away from the equator become progressively distorted.distances away from the equator become progressively distorted. South America (land mass) is actually nine times as big as GreenlandSouth America (land mass) is actually nine times as big as Greenland But how does South America compare to Greenland on the Mercator Map?But how does South America compare to Greenland on the Mercator Map?

13 Mercator Map Projection

14 The Mercator projection is called Conformal. A projection is conformal if the angles in the original features are preserved. The Mercator projection is called Conformal. A projection is conformal if the angles in the original features are preserved. Over small areas the shapes of objects will be preserved. Over small areas the shapes of objects will be preserved. A line drawn with constant orientation (e.g. with respect to north) will be straight on a conformal projection (a thumb line). A line drawn with constant orientation (e.g. with respect to north) will be straight on a conformal projection (a thumb line). Parallels and meridians cross each other at right angles (note: not all projections with this appearance are conformal). Parallels and meridians cross each other at right angles (note: not all projections with this appearance are conformal). Generally, areas near margins have a larger scale than areas near the center (i.e. Greenland in Mercator projection). Generally, areas near margins have a larger scale than areas near the center (i.e. Greenland in Mercator projection).

15 Mercator Map Projection The Mercator map has always been a poor projection for a world map. The Mercator map has always been a poor projection for a world map. Because it was based on a rectangular grid, the average person found it easy to read and found it useful for wall maps, atlas maps, and maps in books. Because it was based on a rectangular grid, the average person found it easy to read and found it useful for wall maps, atlas maps, and maps in books. It became the standard map projection in the mental map of most westerners. It became the standard map projection in the mental map of most westerners. The argument for using the Mercator projection was the "advantage for colonial powers" by making Europe look a lot larger than it actually is on the globe. The argument for using the Mercator projection was the "advantage for colonial powers" by making Europe look a lot larger than it actually is on the globe.

16 Mercator Map Projection Video Lets take a look at how Mercator made his maps Lets take a look at how Mercator made his maps http://videos.howstuffworks.com/hsw/8607 -geography-basics-methods-for-making- maps-video.htm# http://videos.howstuffworks.com/hsw/8607 -geography-basics-methods-for-making- maps-video.htm# http://videos.howstuffworks.com/hsw/8607 -geography-basics-methods-for-making- maps-video.htm# http://videos.howstuffworks.com/hsw/8607 -geography-basics-methods-for-making- maps-video.htm#

17 Maps: A geographer’s best friend!

18 Maps What is a map? What is a map? A map is a drawing or image of the earth’s surface drawn on a flat surface.A map is a drawing or image of the earth’s surface drawn on a flat surface. Maps use symbols and colours to represent the features of an areaMaps use symbols and colours to represent the features of an area A map can be hand drawn or computer drawnA map can be hand drawn or computer drawn http://videos.howstuffworks.com/hsw/17320- geography-basics-maps-video.htmhttp://videos.howstuffworks.com/hsw/17320- geography-basics-maps-video.htmhttp://videos.howstuffworks.com/hsw/17320- geography-basics-maps-video.htmhttp://videos.howstuffworks.com/hsw/17320- geography-basics-maps-video.htm

19 Map of Canada

20 Creating Maps All maps should be drawn for a purpose, such as: All maps should be drawn for a purpose, such as: to provide direction from A to B or toto provide direction from A to B or to provide information on a specific topic.provide information on a specific topic. Specifics for topics can include: Specifics for topics can include: Listing capital cities of provinces/territoriesListing capital cities of provinces/territories Describing the amount of rainfall in different parts of the countryDescribing the amount of rainfall in different parts of the country

21 Rainfall Map of the United States of America

22 Creating Maps Great care should be taken when creating a map. Great care should be taken when creating a map. Maps should be drawn neatly and it is best to draw lightly in pencil and then to go over in ink when necessary.Maps should be drawn neatly and it is best to draw lightly in pencil and then to go over in ink when necessary.

23 Creating Maps When placing text on maps, it is best to print the words. When placing text on maps, it is best to print the words. When using colour, it is very important that you chose the correct colour to show different features. When using colour, it is very important that you chose the correct colour to show different features.

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26 Features of Maps - Colours On Maps, the colours chosen are very important! Generally: On Maps, the colours chosen are very important! Generally: roads and trails are brownroads and trails are brown parks are greenparks are green water ways (lakes and rivers) are bluewater ways (lakes and rivers) are blue roads are usually blackroads are usually black highways are usually red or orangehighways are usually red or orange text such as city labels are in blacktext such as city labels are in black

27 Features of a Map - Elements When creating a map, there are some features that must be included on all maps. When creating a map, there are some features that must be included on all maps. What do you see on the following map? What do you see on the following map?

28 Map of Ontario

29 Features of a Map Title Title Provides a clear description of:Provides a clear description of: the area the map it is representing and the area the map it is representing and what information is presented (Example: Road Map of Ontario). what information is presented (Example: Road Map of Ontario). tell the reader what the map is used for. tell the reader what the map is used for. The title should be short and descriptive.The title should be short and descriptive. Should be placed in an appropriate location (top and centre).Should be placed in an appropriate location (top and centre). Should be neat and printed in dark ink.Should be neat and printed in dark ink.

30 Features of a Map Border Border All of the information and features the map is showing should be contained within the border.All of the information and features the map is showing should be contained within the border. Should be drawn neatly with a ruler in dark ink.Should be drawn neatly with a ruler in dark ink.

31 Features of a Map North Arrow North Arrow Provides the reader a reference as per the direction on the map.Provides the reader a reference as per the direction on the map. Should be drawn neatly with a ruler in dark ink within the border.Should be drawn neatly with a ruler in dark ink within the border.

32 Features of a Map Source Source The author of a map is called a cartographer.The author of a map is called a cartographer. The person/people/company or organization that created the map should be provided.The person/people/company or organization that created the map should be provided.

33 Features of a Map Date Date The date when the map was produced should be displayed.The date when the map was produced should be displayed.

34 Features of a Map Scale Scale The scale provides the map reader with a method of measuring distances on the map with actual distances in real life.The scale provides the map reader with a method of measuring distances on the map with actual distances in real life.

35 Features of a Map Legend Legend The legend provides the map reader with an understanding of the various symbols that are used on the map.The legend provides the map reader with an understanding of the various symbols that are used on the map. The symbols chosen should accurately reflect the feature that is being represented.The symbols chosen should accurately reflect the feature that is being represented.

36 Types of Maps There are several types of maps. Each show different information. The type of map a reader uses depends on what information he/she is trying to gather There are several types of maps. Each show different information. The type of map a reader uses depends on what information he/she is trying to gather Generally speaking, map are categorized into three categories: Generally speaking, map are categorized into three categories: 1. General Purpose Maps 2. Topographic Maps 3. Thematic Maps

37 Types of Maps 1. General Purpose Provides many types of information on one map.Provides many types of information on one map. Most atlases, wall maps and road maps fall into this category.Most atlases, wall maps and road maps fall into this category. Provides a broad understanding of the location and features of an area.Provides a broad understanding of the location and features of an area.

38 General Purpose Maps

39 Types of Maps 2.Topographic Maps Uses symbols to show a variety of features on the earth’s surface.Uses symbols to show a variety of features on the earth’s surface. They are used to examine a small area of the earths surface in great detail.They are used to examine a small area of the earths surface in great detail. Include contour lines to show the shape and elevation of an area.Include contour lines to show the shape and elevation of an area. Lines that are close together indicate steep terrain, and lines that are far apart indicate flat terrain.Lines that are close together indicate steep terrain, and lines that are far apart indicate flat terrain.

40 Topographic Map

41 Types of Maps 3.Thematic Maps Provide very specific information about a place on one particular topic.Provide very specific information about a place on one particular topic. Because only one topic is presented, these maps are relatively easy to read and understand.Because only one topic is presented, these maps are relatively easy to read and understand. May includeMay include Climatic, Resource, Economic or Political information. Climatic, Resource, Economic or Political information.

42 Types of Thematic Maps Climate maps Climate maps Give general information about the climate; temperature and precipitation (rain and snow) of a region.Give general information about the climate; temperature and precipitation (rain and snow) of a region. Cartographers, or mapmakers, use colors to show different climate or precipitation zonesCartographers, or mapmakers, use colors to show different climate or precipitation zones Economic maps Economic maps Cartographers use symbols to show the locations of economic activityCartographers use symbols to show the locations of economic activity For example, symbols (shovels) on a map of Ontario tell you where mining occurs.For example, symbols (shovels) on a map of Ontario tell you where mining occurs.

43 Types of Maps Political maps Political maps Do not show physical features.Do not show physical features. Instead, they indicate state and national boundaries and capital and major cities.Instead, they indicate state and national boundaries and capital and major cities. A capital city is usually marked with a star within a circle.A capital city is usually marked with a star within a circle. Resource maps Resource maps Feature the type of natural resources or economic activity that dominates an area.Feature the type of natural resources or economic activity that dominates an area. For example a map showing the different type of trees in Northern OntarioFor example a map showing the different type of trees in Northern Ontario

44 Thematic Map

45 Homework Textbook - page 26 #1, 2,5, 6, 7, 8, 11 Lab Assignment Sheet - handout Due Date: Thursday, February 24, 2011


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