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Basic Cartography

This document provides an introduction to cartography and mapping concepts. It discusses the differences between maps and globes, general types of maps including topographic and thematic maps, standard map features such as scale, projection and orientation, as well as more advanced concepts like GIS, GPS, remote sensing. It also covers how maps can be misused to misrepresent information through selective inclusion or exclusion of details, orientation or scale.

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Jigg Pelayo
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182 views38 pages

Basic Cartography

This document provides an introduction to cartography and mapping concepts. It discusses the differences between maps and globes, general types of maps including topographic and thematic maps, standard map features such as scale, projection and orientation, as well as more advanced concepts like GIS, GPS, remote sensing. It also covers how maps can be misused to misrepresent information through selective inclusion or exclusion of details, orientation or scale.

Uploaded by

Jigg Pelayo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Introduction to Cartography

 Maps vs. Globes


 General Types of Maps
 Standard Map Features
 Map Projections
 GIS
 GPS
 Remote Sensing
 Representation in Maps or “How to Lie
with Maps”
Maps versus Globes

 Map: a representation of the world or


part of it, in two dimensions

 Globe: a 3-D representation of the


entire earth surface.

What are some advantages and


disadvantages of each?
Map Projections

 Mathematical method for systematically


transforming a 3-D earth into a 2-D
map.
 Three traditional types:
– cyllindrical
– conical
– planar (azimuthal-zenithal)
 Newer Mathematical Projections
– Robinson
Cartographer’s Dilemma
 All maps introduce distortion:
– shape (conformance)
– size (equivalence)
– direction
– distance
 Maps can be either equivalent or
conformal, but cannot emphasize both
characteristics.
Introduction to Cartography

 Maps vs. Globes


 General Types of Maps
 Standard Map Features
 Map Projections
 Representation in Maps or “How to Lie
with Maps”
General Types of Maps
General Purpose Thematic
and Topographic

Depict the form and These maps represent


relief of the surface the spatial dimensions
and/or general of particular
features, such as phenomenon (themes).
roads, buildings,
and political
boundaries.
Thematic Maps
These maps represent the spatial dimensions
of a particular phenomenon (theme).

Types:
 Isopleth maps - isolines connect points of equal
magnitude.
 Choropleth map - tonal shadings are graduated to
represent areal variations in number or density
within a region, usually a formal region.
Introduction to Cartography

 Maps vs. Globes


 General Types of Maps
 Standard Map Features
 Map Projections
 Representation in Maps or “How to Lie
with Maps”
Map Scale
relates distance on map to distance on earth,
thus smaller scale represents larger area.

 Small Scale  Large Scale


– shows large area – shows small area
– 1:10,000,000 would – 1:63,360 would
represent about 1/2 represent a small
of U.S. on single town on a single
page of paper. page of paper.

What is the largest scale map possible?


Map Scale - 3 Types
Orientation or Direction
 North arrow or
Compass Rose
 European maps of
the dark ages, prior
to European
acceptance (1500’s)
of the magnetic
compass, were
N
‘oriented to the
east.’ After compass
it made more sense
to place north at the
top during use.
Grid North = very close to true north. Used to place
grids on maps for archaeology, mines, artillery
targeting.
Mercator’s Navigation
Technique

Gnomonic Projection shows great


circles as straight line.
Mercator Projection shows constant
compass headings (azimuth) as
straight lines.

Rhumb Lines
What is GIS?

 Stands for "geographic information


systems"
 Definition: a system for the input, storage,
manipulation, and output of geographic data
– a specialized "information system”
 information systems are used to work with
(manipulate, summarize, query, edit, visualize)
information stored in computer databases
– utilizes spatial indexing of information to
track what is where on the Earth's surface
Elements of a Geographic
Information System (GIS)
 Database with spatially-coded data
(latitude/longitude)
 Computer
 GIS Application Software (ArcView,
ArcInfo, MapInfo)
 Video Map Display
 Scanners
 Digitizer
 Plotter/Printer
Functions of a Geographic
Information System
 Siteselection
 Find density within an area
 Catalogue and track spatial data
– Land use maps, for example
 Network Functions
– Street grid navigation
– Municipal water supplies, sewers
– Hydrology (rivers, streams, lakes)
 Consumer Tracking and Marketing
Examples of Geographic
Information Systems
 Google Maps
 Google Earth
 Zillow.com
 National Atlas of the United States
Natural Resource GIS
High Quality
Map Display
GPS
GPS and GIS are increasingly
integrated.
Remote Sensing

 Digital Remote Sensing


– Multispectral Sensors
– visible, radar, infrared, ultraviolet
– Digital Image Manipulation
– Direct download into GIS systems
Photographic Remote Sensing

- aerial photos - camera mounted on


airplane takes visible light photographs

- infrared film - sensitive to red end of the


light spectrum (crops and plants)
Las Vegas, 1972 - infrared
LANDSAT
Las Vegas, 1992 - infrared
LANDSAT
How to Lie with Maps

 Misrepresentation - Propaganda Maps


 Selection of Map Features
 Orientation
 The Authoritative Power of Maps

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