Maps & Mapmaking

Question 1

What’s a map?

Answer 1

a two-dimensional model of the earth or some part of its surface

Question 2

Define cartography

Answer 2

the process of mapmaking

Question 3

What’s simplification in regards to cartography?

Answer 3

getting rid of unnecessary information in a particular map, US map for kids might just need state names but not capitals or vegetation and climate

Question 4

Explain distortion in mapmaking

Answer 4

the misrepresentation that occurs when flattening the earth from a globe to a map

Question 5

List the 4 main map properties

Answer 5

shape, size, distance, direction

Question 6

Define shape

Answer 6

geometric shapes of the objects on the map

Question 7

Define size

Answer 7

amount of space taken up on the map by landforms or objects

Question 8

Define distance

Answer 8

distance between objects on the map

Question 9

Define direction

Answer 9

degree of accuracy representing cardinal directions

Question 10

List the cardinal directions

Answer 10

north, south, east, west

Question 11

List the intermediate directions

Answer 11

northwest, northeast, southwest, southeast

Question 12

List the relative directions

Answer 12

right, left, up, down

Question 13

Explain projection in mapmaking

Answer 13

the globe’s image is projected onto a geometric shape, which causes distortion of the map

Question 14

Define equal-area equivalent projections

Answer 14

maintain area but distort other properties

Question 15

Define conformal or orthomorphic projections

Answer 15

maintain shape but distort other properties

Question 16

Define azimuthal projections

Answer 16

maintain direction but distort other properties

Question 17

Define equidistance projections

Answer 17

maintain distance but distort other properties

Question 18

What’s the Robinson projection?

Answer 18

most common, slight distortion of all 4 properties

Question 19

What’s the Mercator projection?

Answer 19

commonly used before Robinson projection, maintains shapes, but drastically distorts size; why USSR used it to teach students

Question 20

What’s the Peter projection?

Answer 20

maintains relative sizes but distorts shape

Question 21

What’s a climate map?

Answer 21

shows precipitation using different colors

Question 22

What’s an economic or resource map?

Answer 22

shows natural resources or economic activity

Question 23

What’s a physical map?

Answer 23

shows physical features, mountains, lakes, rivers, colors used to show relief, green low, orange high, blue water

Question 24

What’s a political map?

Answer 24

shows state and national boundaries, capital, and cities

Question 25

What’s a road map?

Answer 25

shows highways, roads, airports, railroad tracks

Question 26

What’s a topographic map?

Answer 26

shows shape and elevation of area using contour lines, close together steep, far apart flat