Appendix A Notes Flashcards
Map Scale
The ratio between an actual distance on the ground and the length is given to that distance on the map.
Scale factor
Scale is often given as a fraction and the numerator represents the unit on the map and the denominator represents the unit in real life
Small vs Large
Small = Less detail, but more area. Includes parks, forests, neighborhoods.
Large =Mor detail, but less area. Includes Cities, States, Capitals, Interstate Highways
Graphic Scale
A graphic scale is a line given on a map that is equivalent to a distance in real life. It allows for easy calculations of approximate distances. The Graphic scale also remains accurate as the map is resized.
Map Projection
A way of representing the spherical Earth on a flat surface.
Latitude
Imaginary lines that run horizontally around the Earth and are also known as parallels. They are in intervals of 10 degrees going from the equator in the North and South Direction. Range from 0-90 degrees
Longitude
Imaginary lines that run vertically around the Earth and are also known as meridians. They are in intervals of 15 degrees going from the prime meridian in the East and West Direction. Range from 0-180 degrees (Prime meridian runs through the royal observatory)
Mercator
The parallels and meridians cross at right angles providing the map with true direction everywhere on the map. Allows for easy navigation, but distorts the higher the latitudes. Leading some countries to seem bigger than they actually are.
Robinson
The meridians increasingly curve inwards towards each other as the latitude increase. This provides much less shape and size distortion and gives better shape, but lacks direction utility that the Mercator has.
Planar
Good choice for a map of the arctic ocean or the continent of the Antarctic. Created when the light at the center of the globe projects diverging longitude lines onto a flat surface from either the North Pole or the South Pole
Map Symbols
Map Symbols are used to represent different characteristics on a map. Cities, Roads, Capitals, Boundaries,
Point
Are used to show individual features or places.
Dot
Black or red dots for cities (Depending on the scale if it is a map of a city it could represent houses or location of business.)
Line
Are used to showing roads and railroads, along with political and administrative boundaries, rivers, and other linear features.
Lines can also represent elevation. Lines close together represent steep inclines and lines far apart represent shallow inclines.
Isobars
a line on a map connecting points having the same atmospheric pressure at a given time or on average over a given period.
