In this lab, maps will be introduced as important geographical tools. To use maps properly, one must know the basic rules and limitations of maps. This lab will have three parts: the first is an introduction to maps including exercises on map scale; the s

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In this lab, maps will be introduced as important geographical tools. To use maps properly, one must know the basic rules and limitations of maps. This lab will have three parts: the first is an introduction to maps including exercises on map scale; the second part is an exercise to acquaint yourself with the assigned atlas, and the third is an introduction to topographic maps.

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Lab 4: Map Fundamentals and Interpretation What are maps? ● Maps are 2-dimensional depictions of the Earth’s surface. ● Portray surface structures and the distributions of geographic phenomena. ● All maps need: a title, a scale, a legend, and a north arrow. ● May have a grid with coordinates — a locational system ● Cartographers are people who draw or produce maps GLOBES ● Advantages ● Preserve area ● Accurate replication of distances ● Disadvantages ● Bulky, difficult to use for analysis ● Must be huge to get any sort of detailed information about a place ● Ratio/Scale issues (1:1 vs. 1:41,000,000) There are two kinds of maps: Reference/Physical ● A map designed to show where geographic features are in relation to each other. ● Tend to show physical, environmental, and human-built environments Thematic ● A map designed to show a particular geographic phenomenon or theme. ● Tend to show human geography, demography, social, political, and economic variation over space Examples Map Scales Maps have scales which tell the map reader the difference between map distances and actual (terrestrial) distances: scale should be thought of as the ratio between map and Earth. Scale = Distance on Map ________________ Distance on Ground For example: 1 inch on the map = 1 mile in person Map Scales There are three types of map scales. Verbal: Where one inch to thirteen miles means 1 inch on map = 13 miles on the ground. Ratio (Representative Fraction): Where 1 : 823,680 means 1 inch on map = 823,680 inches on the ground. Or 1 of anything = 823,680 of those on the ground. Linear: Using a scale bar to judge distance. Not as accurate. Map Projections (all maps have one) ❏ Projections are how we transform our 3D Earth to a 2D map. ❏ There are many different types of projections and all have some degree of distortion. ❏ There is no perfectly accurate projection. Mercator Projection ● Direction is preserved ● True shapes and distances within 15 degrees from the equator ● Distortion at the poles and northern hemisphere ● Example of cylinder placed over globe Albers Equal Area and Robinson Projections ● Areas are proportional to the ● Better balance of size same areas on the Earth ● Directions are reasonably accurate in limited regions ● Distances are true on both standard parallels ● Example of cone placed over globe and shape ● Distortion reduced ● Greatest at poles ● Distances are still not perfect Gall-Peters projection Latitude Lines of latitude circle the globe from East to West, and measure the angular distance, North or South, between the Equator and a given place, from the “center” of the Earth. Longitude Longitude (meridians) runs North to South, and measures the angular distance, East or West, between a given location and the Prime Meridian (Royal Observatory in Greenwich, England) from the axis of the earth. Isolines ● Connect points of equal value ● Types: ● Contour Lines ● Connect points of equal elevation ● Isotherm Lines ● Connect points of equal temperature ● Isohyet Lines ● Connect points of equal precipitation ● Isobars Lines ● Connect points of equal pressure Tips for Reading a Topographic Map ● The closer the contour are to each other, the steeper the slope ● Hachured lines indicate a depression or a decrease in elevation ● Pay attention to the legend and the scale ● Pay attention to units What is the contour interval for this map? What is the contour interval for this map? 25 meters What is the elevation of point B? Lab #4 Map Fundamentals and Interpretation In this lab, maps will be introduced as important geographical tools. To use maps properly, one must know the basic rules and limitations of maps. This lab will have three parts: the first is an introduction to maps including exercises on map scale; the second part is an exercise to acquaint yourself with the assigned atlas, and the third is an introduction to topographic maps. Pre-lab reading topics: map projections, map scale, latitude and longitude, topographic maps. WHAT ARE MAPS? Maps are graphical representations of reality. They are two-dimensional depictions of the Earth's surface, which geographers use to portray surface structures or the distributions of geographic phenomena. 1a). What two subclasses of maps are there? 1b). Give an example of a thematic map. MAP FUNDAMENTALS / LIMITATIONS: Maps can be extremely useful tools, a good strategy for understanding maps is to identify and read the basic elements. In general most maps should have the following: write a definition for each. 2a) Title 2b) Scale 2c) Legend 2d) Direction 2e) Grid 2f) What is a cartographer? 2g) What are the advantages and disadvantages of a globe? 2h) What are projections? 2i) Name three types of projections. MAP SCALES Maps have scales which tell the map reader the difference between map realities and actual (terrestrial) realities: scale should be thought of as the ratio between map and Earth. Scale = Distance On Map Distance On Earth 3a). There are three types of map scales; they are 1) 2) 3) Convert the following map scales: Fraction) V = Verbal R= Ratio (Representative 3b) (V-R) One inch to one mile __________:___________ 3c) (V-R) One cm to one km __________:___________ 3d) (R-V) 1:50,000 ________cm to__ km 3e) (R-V) 1:126,720 ___ mi in to ___ THE EARTH'S GRID To allow for the accurate location of places, a system of lines is superimposed over the Earth's surface. Lines of longitude are called meridians and lines of latitude are called parallels. These lines serve as a coordinate system which helps navigation and understanding the Earth. Refer to pages 6-8 in your atlas. 4a) What parallel divides the Northern and Southern Hemispheres? 4b) Meridians run in what direction? Where do they converge? 4c) The Prime Meridian passes through what city? What longitude is it? _______º 4d) Lines of latitude run in what direction to each other. ___________________ and are 4e) Latitude refers to the arc, measured in degrees, of a meridian measured between ________________________________________________. 4f) Longitude measures the degrees Meridian. or from the Prime HAMMOND'S ATLAS EXERCISE 5a) What is the area (km²) ______________ population ________________, and population density (number of people/km²) _______________ of Namibia? (pg. 9). Please show your work. 5b) Use your map index to determine the latitude of: Baghdad, Iraq Los Angeles, California Which city is further north? 5c) Use your map index to determine the longitude of: Kuwait City Moscow, Russia Which city is further east? 5d) In Nairobi, the average monthly temperature in January is ____________, and the average monthly temperature in July is _______________. 5e) Calculate the temperature range by subtracting the value for July from the value for January. The January to July temperature range is ________________.(pg. 66) 5f) What two tectonic plates are separated by the San Andreas fault (pg 14)? 5g) What ocean current is found off the west coast of the U.S?________________________ Is it warm or cold?_____________________________________ Which direction does it flow?______________________________ (pg. 16)? TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS One of the most common types of maps found in the study of physical geography is the topographic or contour map, which is an isarithmic map showing changes in elevation across the landscape. This section will introduce isarithmic maps in general, and will provide experience in working with topographic maps. 6a) What is an isoline? 6b) Isolines connecting points of equal temperature are called . 6c) Isolines connecting points of equal precipitation are called . 6d) Isolines connecting points of equal pressure are called . 6e) Isolines connecting points of equal elevation are called . In the next three sections you will be doing exercises related to topographic contour maps. Topographic maps are used by hikers and campers as an aid in following roads and trails in recreational areas. In physical geography, the topographic contour map is used to gain information about the earth's surface through contour lines that show the shape and elevation of terrain. 3 DIMENSIONAL TOPOGRAPHIC MODELS Use the white, 3-Dimensional Topographic Models provided to answer the questions in this section. These models show contour lines, raised relief and a combination of both. Be sure to record the proper units of measurement 7a) What is the contour interval for this map? (Hint: Look at bottom left of the picture) _____________. 7b) What is the highest elevation on the map? (Hint: Look a few inches above point L) _____________. 7c) What is the change of elevation over the interval O? (Hint: Count from tip of one arrow to tip of the other arrow) _____________. 7d) What is the elevation of the tower in grid 45.74 and 5.84? (Hint: it’s between point O and point C) _____________. 7e) What is the horizontal distance in meters between peaks D & G? (Hint: the measurement is 9cm) ___________. TOPOGRAPHIC MAP INTERPRETATION Answer the following questions using the topographic contour map provided on the following page. Be sure to include units of measurement. Estimates are the range between two known elevations. Ex. 1000-1025 m. 8a) What is the contour interval used on this map? 8b) What is the elevation of the contour at point A? 8c) What is the elevation of the contour at point B? 8d) Estimate the elevation of the summit point C. 8e) Estimate the elevation of point D. 8f) Give the elevation of the hachured depression at point E 8g) Calculate the area in km² (Hint: 1 km² = 1 million m²) of the hachured depression referred to in the previous question (the area of the hachured depression is 1.5 cm²). Please show your work. 8h) Estimate the elevation at the bottom of the depression at point F 8i) How do you know that point F is a depression and not a summit? 8j) Measure the horizontal distance between points C and D (Hint: Distance is 5 cm, make sure to convert and use the scale provided on map) 8k) What is the difference in elevation between C and D 8l) Calculate the average slope from C to D (Hint: Slope = rise / run, so Slope = Answer from k/Answer from j)
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