L6 Geog, maps, media Flashcards
who was John Snow?
doctor during London cholera outbreak 1854
what did John Snow do?
used maps to determine outbreak was from water not the air
maps are a great example of data ….
visualisation
when are maps recommended to only be used?
when specific locations or geographical patterns are most important
we use maps to pin point specific?
locations i.e. a state
maps show …………. between different places
connections
choropleths = used to…
show data through various shading patterns
example of a choropleth map =
different states in different colours depending on who they voted for
in choropleths what is very important?
colour - shows different things
what are choropleths prone to leading to?
ecological fallacy
what can colour sometimes accidentally do?
distract from the actual data
how can colour sometimes distract from the actual data?
may make the wrong bits seem more important
heat maps =
graphical representations of data, where values are depicted by colour
what are heat maps similar to?
choropleths
different shading patterns in heat maps show how things?
vary
are hex maps good to use?
yes
pros of a hex map = (4)
- hexagons fit perfectly
- visually appealing
- good at showing variations in density
- uses real geographical space
distribution maps are what type of maps?
thematic
distribution maps are used to represent…
the distribution of particular geographical elements within a region
hex cartograms are a map …
alternative
hex cartograms =
each shape is reconstructed from a discrete tessellation of space (squares / hexagons)
what does each cell in a hex cartogram represent?
a value of a variable
what are hex cartograms also known as?
mosaic cartograms
what shape does the overall hex cartogram typically attempt to end up being?
the original shape
- i.e. the country such as USA
cartograms are a type of map …
alternative
cartograms are where…
geometry of regions are distorted to convey information
cartograms do what to scale?
distort it
what are cartograms primarily used to show?
emphasis
what do cartograms help us to visualise?
the distribution of the variable
what is normally the variable in cartograms?
population
why use maps? (3)
- easy to use
- engaging
- can show patterns (i.e. where social issues occur)
are maps always the right choice?
no
the mercator projection =
invented in 1500s - map we most commonly use today
what map do we most commonly use today?
mercator projection
mercator map advantage =
- preserves the changes
- suitable for navigation
why is the mercator map suitable for navigation?
north points north
what is a disadvantage of the mercator map? + example
distortion
- US, Europe and Russia all look far bigger than they actually are
where is the Robinson map most commonly used?
education
compared to the mercator map, the Robinson map is…
more accurate
more attractive
is there still distortion in the Robinson map?
yes - but less than in the mercator map
what is an advantage of the Robinson map?
shows distances / sizes / shapes accurately
MAUP
modifiable area unit problem
modifying the MAUP =
different results
what does modifying the MAUP change?
the story of the data
gerrymandering is -
drawing political boundaries to gain a numerical advantage
how can we reduce gerrymandering? (4)
- regulations
- change voting system
- use fixed districts
- change voting system
ecological fallacy =
logical error - where characteristics of a group are attributed to an individual
example of the ecological fallacy =
a child attending a school in a high performing area does not mean that the child is a high attainer
what do all maps do to some extent?
distort reality and lie
when should we not use maps?
when geographical or location is not the most important thing
