Mapping

Question 1

What are three different Map types?

Answer 1

• Reference Maps
——Delivery of location information to the user
• Thematic Maps
—–Distribution of things across space, eg. Population per
km2
• Dynamic Maps
—-Could be either reference or thematic • Interactive

Question 2

Reference Maps

Answer 2

• Emphasis is on location
• Generally represent geographic reality accurately
• Accuracy is important, eg. Used for: • Land use, Zoning, Navigation
• Map Examples:
Topographic maps, Image maps(pictures from above)

Question 3

Thematic Maps

Answer 3

• Based on a theme or topic of interest
• Often represent abstract concepts, eg: Life expectancy by region, Per capita gross domestic product
• Visualizing abstract concepts on a map increases understanding and comparison

Question 4

Are thematic maps and reference maps mutually exclusive?

Answer 4

No, often incorporated in each other, and can compliment one another

Question 5

Dynamic Maps

Answer 5

• Reference and thematic maps are often produced as paper maps

• Dynamic maps are changeable or interactive maps
• Reference and thematic maps can be dynamic maps
• Dynamic maps may encourage or even require user interaction. They change scale, visible area, selecting features to show/hide, animation
eg. Google maps on iPhone

Question 6

What is map Abstraction?

Answer 6

• The process of moving from the “real world” to a map
• Involves making choice about what to display and how
-Entities may be represented as points, planes or features
-Features can be classified as discrete(well defined, buildings, roads) or continuous(not well defined, eg. Temperature, topography ).

Question 7

What is Generalization ?

Answer 7

Generalization is the process of resolving conflicts associated with too much detail, to many features, or too much information on a map
• Simplification or symbolization of features
• Masking or displacement of detail to increase clarity or
legibility
• Select details to be included or excluded
• Exaggeration of features for emphasis

Question 8

National Topographic

System (NTS)- Purpose:

Answer 8

a) ground relief (landforms and terrain)
b) drainage (lakes and rivers) c) forest cover
d) administrative areas
e) populated areas
f) transportation routes
g) facilities (including roads and railways)

Question 9

NTS: Primary Quadrangles:

Answer 9

 Primary Quadrangles  1:1,000,000 series
 1”=15.78 mi (approx. 1”=16 mi)
 Up to =80N each sheet covers 4 of  and 8 of 
 Above =80N each sheet covers 4 of  and 16 of   Quadrangle 73 (Saskatoon)
- The first subdivision of the primary quadrangles is to quarter them(1:500,00 or 8 mile series)
- second subdivision is 250,000 or 4 mile series and is lettered
-third is to quarter the lettered quadrangles to produce the 1:125,000 series or 2 miles
-The fourth subdivision is to divide the lettered quadrangles into 16 units this produces the 1:50,000 series (1”=0.79 mi)
-the fifth and final 1:25,000 series is made by each of the 16 subdivisions of the lettered quadrangles divided into 8 parts