Globes and Maps
Projections
Determining Location
Reading a Map
Physical Maps
Political Maps
Thematic Maps
Geographic Information
Systems
Globes and Maps
• A globe is a scale model of the Earth that presents
the most accurate depiction of geographic
information such as area, distance, and direction.
• A printed map is a symbolic representation of all
or part of the planet.
From 3-D to 2-D
• To create maps that are not interrupted,
mapmakers, or cartographers, use mathematical
formulas to transfer information from the threedimensional globe to the two-dimensional map.
Great Circle Routes
• A great circle is an
imaginary line that
follows the curve of
the Earth and
represents the
shortest distance
between two points.
• Traveling along a
great circle is called
following a great
circle route.
Projections
• To create maps, cartographers project the round Earth
onto a flat surface—making a map projection.
• Distance, shape, direction, or size may be distorted
by a projection.
• The three basic categories of map projections are
planar, cylindrical, and conic.
Projections (cont.)
Planar Projection
A planar projection shows
the Earth centered in such
a way that a straight line
coming from the center to
any other point represents
the shortest distance. Also
known as an azimuthal
projection, it is most
accurate at its center. As a
result, it is often used for
maps of the Poles.
Projections (cont.)
Cylindrical Projection
A cylindrical projection is
based on the projection of
the globe onto a cylinder.
This projection is most
accurate near the Equator,
but shapes and distances
are distorted near the Poles.
Projections (cont.)
Conic Projection
A conic projection comes
from placing a cone over
part of a globe. Conic
projections are best suited
for showing limited eastwest areas that are not too
far from the Equator. For
these uses, a conic
projection can indicate
distances and directions
fairly accurately.
Common Map Projections
Most general reference
world maps are the
Winkel Tripel projection.
It provides a good
balance between the size
and shape of land areas
as they are shown on the
map. Even the polar
areas are depicted with
little distortion of size and
shape.
Common Map Projections (cont.)
An interrupted
projection resembles
a globe that has been
cut apart and laid flat.
Goode’s Interrupted
Equal-Area projection
shows the true size
and shape of Earth’s
landmasses, but
distances are
generally distorted.
Common Map Projections (cont.)
The Robinson projection
has minor distortions.
The sizes and shapes
near the eastern and
western edges of the
map are accurate, and
outlines of the continents
appear much as they do
on the globe. However,
the polar areas are
flattened.
Common Map Projections (cont.)
The Mercator projection
increasingly distorts size
and distance as it moves
away from the Equator.
However, Mercator
projections do accurately
show true directions and
the shapes of
landmasses, making
these maps useful for
sea travel.
Determining Location
• The basic tool for answering the question “Where?” is
location.
• A grid system on maps and globes helps you find
exact places on the Earth’s surface.
• A hemisphere is one of the halves into which the
Earth is divided. Most places are located in two of
the four hemispheres.
Determining Location (cont.)
Latitude
Lines of latitude, or parallels,
circle the Earth parallel to the
Equator and measure the
distance north or south of the
Equator in degrees. The
Equator is measured at 0°
latitude, while the Poles lie at
latitudes 90°N (north) and
90°S (south). Parallels north
of the Equator are called
north latitude. Parallels south
of the Equator are called
south latitude.
Determining Location (cont.)
Longitude
Lines of longitude, or
meridians, circle the Earth from
Pole to Pole. These lines
measure distance east or west
of the Prime Meridian at 0°
longitude. Meridians east of the
Prime Meridian are known as
east longitude. Meridians west
of the Prime Meridian are
known as west longitude. The
180° meridian on the opposite
side of the Earth is called the
International Date Line.
Determining Location (cont.)
The Global Grid
Every place has a global
address, or absolute location.
You can identify the absolute
location of a place by naming
the latitude and longitude lines
that cross exactly at that place.
For example, Tokyo, Japan, is
located at 36°N latitude and
140°E longitude. For more
precise readings, each degree
is further divided into 60 units
called minutes.
Determining Location (cont.)
Northern and Southern
Hemispheres
The diagram shows that the
Equator divides the Earth
into the Northern and
Southern Hemispheres.
Everything north of the
Equator is in the Northern
Hemisphere. Everything
south of the Equator is in
the Southern Hemisphere.
Determining Location (cont.)
Eastern and Western
Hemispheres
The Prime Meridian and the
International Date Line
divide the Earth into the
Eastern and Western
Hemispheres. Everything
east of the Prime Meridian
for 180° is in the Eastern
Hemisphere. Everything
west of the Prime Meridian
for 180° is in the Western
Hemisphere.
Reading a Map
Title
Key
Scale Bar
Compass
Rose
Capitals
Boundary Lines
Cities
Using Scale
• All maps are drawn to a certain scale.
• Scale is a consistent, proportional relationship
between the measurements shown on the map and
the measurement of the Earth’s surface.
Using Scale (cont.)
Small-Scale Maps
A small-scale map,
like this political map
of France, can show a
large area but little
detail.
Using Scale (cont.)
Large-Scale Maps
A large-scale map, like
this map of Paris, can
show a small area with
a great amount of
detail.
Absolute and Relative Location
• Absolute location is the exact point where a line of
latitude crosses a line of longitude.
• Relative location is the location of one place in
relation to another.
Physical Maps
• A physical map shows the location and the
topography, or shape of the Earth’s physical features.
• A study of a country’s physical features often helps
to explain the historical development of the country.
Physical Maps (cont.)
Water Features
Landforms
Relief and Elevation
Political Features
Political Maps
• A political map shows the boundaries and locations
of political units such as countries, states, counties,
cities, and towns.
• Many features depicted on a political map are
human-made, or determined by humans rather
than by nature.
• Political maps can show the networks and links that
exist within and between political units.
Political Maps (cont.)
Human-Made Features
Physical Features
Nonsubject Area
Thematic Maps
• Maps that emphasize a single idea or a particular kind
of information about an area are called thematic
maps.
• There are many kinds of thematic maps, such as
climate, natural vegetation, population density, and
economic activities maps.
Thematic Maps (cont.)
Qualitative Maps
Qualitative maps use
colors, symbols, lines, or
dots to show information
related to a specific idea.
Such maps are often used
to depict historical
information.
Thematic Maps (cont.)
Flow-Line Maps
Flow-line maps illustrate
the movement of people,
animals, goods, and ideas,
as well as physical
processes like hurricanes
and glaciers. Arrows are
usually used to represent
the flow and direction of
movement.
Geographic Information Systems
• Most cartographers use computers with software
programs called geographic information systems
(GIS).
• A GIS is designed to accept data from different
sources — maps, satellite images, printed text, and
statistics.
• Cartographers then program the GIS to process the
data and produce maps.
• This technology allows cartographers to make
maps—and change them—quickly and easily.
globe
a spherical representation of the Earth
map
a representation, usually on a flat
surface, of the whole or part of an
area
cartographer
one that makes maps
great circle route
an imaginary line that follows the
curve of the Earth and represents the
shortest distance between two points
map projection
a mathematical formula used to
represent the curved surface of the
Earth on the flat surface of a map
planar projection
a map created by projecting an image
of the Earth onto a plane
cylindrical projection
a map of Earth created by projecting
Earth’s image onto a cylinder
conic projection
a map of the Earth created by placing
a cone over part of an Earth model
interrupted projection
a map of the Earth in which the
Earth’s surface appears cut along
arbitrary lines, each section projected
separately
location
a specific place on the Earth
grid system
pattern formed as the lines of latitude
and longitude cross one another
hemisphere
half of a sphere or globe, as in the
Earth’s Northern and Southern
Hemispheres
latitude
distance north or south from the
equator measured in degrees
longitude
distance measured by degrees or
time east or west from the Prime
Meridian
Prime Meridian
the meridian of 0 degrees longitude
from which other longitudes are
calculated
absolute location
the exact position of a place on the
Earth’s surface
Northern Hemisphere
the half of the Earth that lies north of
the Equator
Southern Hemisphere
the half of the Earth that lies south of
the Equator
Eastern Hemisphere
the part of Earth east of the Atlantic
Ocean including Europe, Asia,
Australia and Africa; longitudes 20°W
and 160°E often considered its
boundaries
Western Hemisphere
the part of Earth west of the Atlantic
Ocean comprising North and South
America and surrounding waters;
longitudes 20°W and 160°E often
considered its boundaries
scale
the size of a picture, plan, or model of
a thing compared to the size of the
thing itself
relative location
location in relation to other places
physical map
map that shows the location of natural
features such as mountains and
rivers; it can also show cities and
countries
topography
shape of the Earth’s physical features
political map
a map that shows the boundaries and
locations of political units such as
countries, states, counties, cities, and
towns
human-made
made by humans rather than by
nature
thematic maps
map that emphasizes a single idea or
a particular kind of information about
an area
qualitative maps
maps that use colors, symbols, lines,
or dots to show information related to
a specific idea
flow-line maps
map that shows the movement of
people, animals, goods, ideas, and
physical processes like hurricanes
and glaciers
geographic information
systems (GIS)
computer tools for processing and
organizing details and satellite images
with other pieces of information
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