Unit 1 Review Flashcards
Reference maps
Informational map
Political
Physical
Road
Thematic Maps
Communicate information about a place - spatial aspects - what is it like there?
Choropleth
Dot-Density
Graduated/Proportional Symbol
Cartogram
Isoline & Topographic
Choropleth
Use various colors, shades of one color, or patterns to show the location and distribution of spatial data.
Dot density
Each dot represents a specified quantity of a spatial characteristic.
Graduated/ Proportional Symbol
Use symbols of different sizes to indicate different amounts of a variable.
Cartogram
The sizes of countries are shown according to a specific variable. Area is distorted to show a variable.
Isoline
Use lines that connect points of equal value to depict variations in the data across space. Used for weather and elevation.
Absolute location
EXACT, PRECISE
Address
Latitude & Longitude
Rio de Janeiro is located at 23°S, 43°W.
Relative Location
Relationship to another place
Next to my house
Between Werk & Lawrence
Absolute Distance
EXACT, PRECISE
Miles/Kilometers/Feet
Oak Hills is 21.3 miles away from my house.
Map Scale
Relative distance
Spatial Interaction: Connections, contacts, movement, and flow of things between places.
Amazon has drastically decreased relative distance between consumers and products.
I can order anything on Prime and have it delivered to my house in two days!
Absolute direction
EXACT, PRECISE
Cardinal Directions: NSEW
Relative direction
Remember, relative-relationships.
Turn left at the Target, then right at the second stop-sign
Clustering
Close together
Density - The # of something in a
defined area.
Dispersal/Distribution
Far apart
Distribution - The way something is
spread out over an area.
Patterns & Spatial Association
Indication that two (or more) phenomena
may be related, associated, or correlated
with one another.
Map projection
The process of a cartographer (map maker) showing the curved surface of the earth on a flat surface (map).
Mercator, Peter equal area, Robinson,
check notes
Field observations
The act of an individual physically visiting a location or place and recording, firsthand, information there.
Examples: Written accounts, travel narratives, media reports, policy documents, interviews, photographs, landscape analysis
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Computer system/software that stores, analyzes, and displays information from multiple digital maps or data sets.
Thematic and physical layers
Could be used for…
Analysis of crime data
Effects of pollution
Urban planning
Satellite Navigation Systems/Global Positioning System (GPS)
Satellites orbit the earth and communicate locational information to GPS receivers.
Absolute location
Navigation -> ships, cars, aircraft
Remote sensing
The use of cameras or other sensors mounted on aircraft or satellites which orbit the earth above the atmosphere to collect digital images of the earth’s surface.
Examples:
Monitoring environmental changes
Weather
Sense of place
Factors that contribute to
the uniqueness of a location.
Cultural landscape
Physical artifacts that humans created
which make up the landscape. Human
produced.
Placelessness
A location without a
sense of place. No distinct
attributes.
Site
physical characteristic of a place (ex: Climate, water sources,topography, soil, vegetation, latitude, elevation).
Situation
location of a place relative to other places (ex:other towns,landmarks, and natural features).
Location
Absolute v. Relative
Toponym -> Location’s name - usually
reflective of the culture & history of a
place. Ex: Georgetown, Washington, etc.
Site/Physical Landscape: Environmental
features of a location; includes climate,
water sources, topography, soil, vegetation,
elevation.
Regionalization
The process geographers use to divide and categorize space into smaller areas of analysis.
Spatial interaction
Connections, contacts, movement, and flow of things between places.
Cultural Ecology
The study of how humans interact or adapt to the environment.
Environmental Determinism
The environment sets the possibilities for humans and society
(certain characteristics make living easier. environment puts limits on the society, and changes the culture of the area)
Ex: Fertile soil makes better farming
Possibilism
More modern interpretation.
Acknowledges the limitations imposed by
the natural environment, but focuses on
the role of human culture to modify and
respond to the environment to better fit
human needs.
Small scale map
show LARGE area
with SMALL amounts of data. Zoomed
OUT. BIG # on map.
Large scale map
show SMALL area
with LARGE amounts of data. Zoomed
IN. Small # on map.
Mercator
Excellent at showing accurate direction
Significant size and location distortion
Robinson
Distortion around the poles significant
Slight distortion throughout the whole map
