Thematic Maps
What is a dot map?
One dot represents a certain number of a
phenomenon (more of something = more
dots)
What is a reference map?
Shows us the physical
geography of a place
Location
Boundaries
Physical features
Etc.
Description of an exact location
or direction as on a grid
Address
Latitude/Longitude
Compass directions (North,
South, East, West)
Absolute location
Cultural Ecology
The study of how humans
interact with the
environment
Has clear boundaries
because everything within it united by a set
of 1 or more determined characteristics.
Ex: A country or state
What is a graduated symbol map?
Size of the symbol is proportionate to the value of attribute (more of something = larger symbol)
What are the four ways in which a map can be distorted?
Shape, distance, size, direction
Description of location as it
relates to another location
Down the street from ______
Next to _______
To the left of ______
Relative location
Environmental Determinism
The local environment determines how
humans will develop their society
(culture, technology, etc.)
What is a functional region and provide an example?
Region has a “node” or
center point of function that fades out.
Ex: Pizza delivery zones, school districts
What is a Choropleth map?
Uses shading or coloring to indicate
different values
Describe the Peter's projection
General size of land masses is
accurate, but shapes are inaccurate, especially
near the poles
The interaction
between two things decreases as
the distance between them
increases
Distance Decay
Possiblism
The local environment influences how
humans will develop their society
(culture, technology, etc.) but does not
determine!
What is a perceptual region and what is an example?
an area that
people believe exists as part of cultural
identity. No clear set boundaries or defined characteristic.
Ex: "The South"
What is a cartogram?
Shape is distorted to show emphasize a
characteristic other than physical
geography
Describe the Robinson Projection
No major distortion
Oval appears more like a globe
than rectangle
Area, shape, and size are all
slightly distorted
The --------
indicates
that when things are farther apart,
they tend to be less well connected
Friction of distance
What is a toponym and provide examples?
Place name that is derived from
people, religious affiliation, physical
features, or origins of its settlers
Virginia
New Mexico
Los Angeles
Describe a region.
defined by a unifying characteristic
or pattern
can be transitional and overlap
applied at local, national, and global
scales
What is an isoline map and what are they good for?
Lines join all points that have the
same value
Good for:
Temperature maps (like weather
forecasts)
Displaying altitude (heights of
mountains, depths of valleys and
oceans, etc.)
Describe the Mercator projection and is its best use?
Lines of latitude and longitude
meet at right angles
Directions are shown accurately
Distorts size at poles
Distance between lines of latitude
and longitude appear constant
Best use: Navigation
The shrinking “time distance” between
locations because of improved
methods of transportation and
communication
Space-Time compression
What is the difference between site and situation?
Site- the physical character of a place. Characteristics include climate, water
sources, topography, soil, vegetation, and
elevation.
Situation- the location of a place relative to
other places. (Another name for relative location)
Perceptual