H-GAP NOTES
A1- A9
-Maps can provide info and can establish theories and solve problems. Look for patterns and themes on
maps. Look beyond the main point of the map to get a sense of world distribution. Map will always be
incomplete representation, because it is smaller, not curved, and contains symbols to convey info. Help
interpret maps while not mistaking them. Be alert to mistakes and get proper use of scale, projection,
and symbolization.
-Scale, ration between actual distances on the map using actual measurement. Often used as fraction.
As the area gets larger, you want the scale to be smaller. Can also use graphic form of scale with edge of
paper gets done faster, helps bc if map is made larger or smaller, scale increases when fraction scales
don’t.
-Map projection by grid system. Used Equator as benchmark bc 0 degrees. Long. Benchmark was
needed, created prime meridian as 0 degree. Mercator projection was created bc parallels and
meridians cross @ right angles so when navigating maintained course by going in straight lines. Reminds
us that scale and projection are interconnected. Distortion of the map itself makes it hard to use scales.
Mercator is still used today. Was called cylindrical projection. Meridians do approach each other
towards the poles, less distortion.
-Projections are chosen based on whether it is designed to preserve areal size, keep distances real, or
maintain outlines of areas. The world map is designed to properly show land areas at the expense of
the oceans. Map projection is a issue when deciding with maps showing lots of things versus a single
State.
-Symbol is 3rd fundamental part of a map. Point symbols are used to show individual places or features.
Line symbols include roads, railroads, political and administrative boundaries, rivers and other stuff.
- Sometimes lines on maps don’t exist on ground, using contour maps to represent constant height
above avg. sea level. All points on contour lines mean same elevation. Spacing between lines reveal
topography. Close together means steep, far apart means gentle slope. Invisible lines of these kinds are
called isolines.
-Maps showing distributions (dominant languages or religion) must be careful bc dividing lines are likely
to be transition zones irl, and doesn’t exclude all others. Maps showing magnitudes must be careful as
well. Objective here is to show how much one phenomenon prevails to another. Darker means more,
lighter means less.
15-28
-Cartography is the art of making maps. Reference maps show locations and geo. feats. Thematic maps
tell stories , showing degree of attribute or movement of geo. phen. Ref. maps show absolute locations
of places with coordinate system. GPS allows to locate virtually anything. Relative location describes
location with relation to other human and physical features. Absolute locations don’t change, relative
locations constantly change over time.
-Mental maps are maps of places that you’ve only heard and dreamt about. When thinking about doing
things mental maps are brought up. Mental maps are stronger with activity spaces, places we’ve been
to before.
-Maps simplify the world. Generalized maps help us see general trends, but it’s not possible to see all
cases of phenomena.
-Remote sensing tech. gathers info from Earth’s surface. Show information of global scale. Maps can
also be created by Geographic Information Systems (GIS) . They compare spatial data to create maps.
Also use GIS to analyze data and human/physical geo research.
-Geographers study places and patterns on many scales, local, regional, national, global. Scales have 2
meanings. 1: Distance on map compared to earth. 2: Spatial extent of something. How the scale of one
thing affects the scale on another thing. Bc lots of things change geographers have to be sensitive to the
scale of analysis and must be aware of researchers that make generalizations. Their concerns are how
processes operating on diff scales affect one another. They are also interested in how they scale
politically. Rescale is basically changing the scale to include other things in. Taking a single regional view
and rescaling it to a global view legitimizes their view and negates other reg. and local views.
-In geo. region means area with similar characteristics. Defining a region can be physical, cultural,
functional, or perceptual. When wanting to define by more than one criteria, looking for formal regions
meaning looking for similarities in circumstances or phenomenon. A formal region has a shared trait ,
meaning shared cultural or physical trait. A functional region is defined by a particular set of activities
that occur in it. Places that are part of the same functional region interact to create connections. A
func. Reg. is a spatial system meaning that its borders are defined by the limits of that system.
-Perceptual regions are intellectual constructs designed to help understand the nature and distribution
of phenomena in HGAP. They aren’t just curiosities, can include people with cultural AND physical traits.
Major news events help create our perceptual regions.
-Perceptual regions can overlap, defining and delimiting these regions can be approached by
interviewing people in and out of the region. Perceptual regions in the U.S. can be confusing, but are all
based on certain roots that are in the culture of the area. Cultural attributes give certain social
atmosphere to region. Regions whether formal, functional, or perceptual are ways of organize ppl
geographically. Is a form of special classification, meaning can handle large amts of info so we can
handle it!
11-13 (5 Themes of Geography)
Location- how geo. positioning of people and things on earth’s surface affects what happens and why.
Location theory is an element of human geo. that seeks answers to questions such as: why are villages
and cities spaced the way they are. Considers placing what where based on various amounts of data.
Human- environment interactions- How humans affect the environment and vice versa. Reciprocal
relationship.
Region- features tend to be in particular areas. Geographers use fieldwork and quantitative/ qualitative
data to describe regions around the world. Understanding regional geo. of a place allows to make sense
of info about the place and digest new place based info as well.
Place-All places on earth have unique human and physical characteristics. One purpose of geography is
to study meaning of places. Ppl develop sense of place by combining a place with meaning and emotion,
remembering events. Also develop perceptions of places of places where we have never been to or
dreamed about.
Movement- refers to mobility of things across the planet. Spatial interaction between places depends on
distances and accessibility and connectivity among places.