Cartography and Map Production Flashcards
Definitions
- Is concerned with the art, science, and techniques of making maps or charts
- Dates back thousand of years to a time before paper, but the main visual display principles were developed during the paper era
Cartography
Definitions
- Decribes digital or analog (soft-copy or hardcopy) output that shows geographic information using well established cartographic conventions
- A mechanism to communicate information to viewers and presents the results of analyses
- Effective decision support requires that the message of a map be readily interpretable in the mind of the decision maker
Map
Two basic types of maps
- Reference maps
- Thematic maps
Limitations of Maps
Maps can be used to __________ or obfuscate either accidentally or on purpose (e.g., incorrect use of symbols can convey a misleading message)
miscommunicate
Definitions
- Is a creative process during which the cartographer, or mapmaker, tries to convey the message of the map’s objective
- Primary goal is to share information, highlight patterns and processes, and illustrate results
Map Design
7 Considerations in the Map Design Process
- Purpose
- Reality
- Available Data
- Map Scale
- Audience
- Conditions of Use
- Technical Limits
What is the cartographic design process of creating a map comprising several closely inter-related elements?
Map Composition
Elements of a Map
Map Body - it’s the __________ focus of the map and it should be given the necessary space and use symbols appropriate to its significance
principal
Elements of a Map
Inset/Overview Map - may be used to show an area of the main __________ in more detail and the general location or context of the main body
map body
Elements of a Map
Used to identify the map and to inform the reader about its content
Title
Elements of a Map
Lists the items represented on the map and how they are symbolized
Legend
Elements of a Map
Can be conveyed in one of several ways including grids (network of parallel and perpendicular lines), graticules (network of latitude and longitude lines), and directional symbols (usually north arrows)
Direction Indicator
Elements of a Map
Can contain many other types of information, including the map projection, date of creation, data sources and authorship
Map Metadata
Maps are a very effective way of summarizing and communicating the results of __________ to a wide audience (managers, technicians, scientists, etc.)
GIS operations
