Types of Maps

Physical

Political

Thematic

Geography through the Ages

• Geography is the study of the Earth.

– Geo = Earth, Graphy = to write.

• (Earth writing)

– Eratosthenes coined the word and divided the world into 5 climatic regions.

Eratosthenes World Map 194BC

Al-Idrisi Map 1154

Ortelius Map 1571

Maps

• Two Purposes

– Reference tool – to find locations

– Communication tool – to show the distribution

of human and physical features.

Reading Maps

• Map = 2-D or flat

representation of the

Earth’s surface

– Cartography = the

science used to make

maps

Map Scale

• The system used by Geographers to transfer

locations from a globe to a map.

– Ratio or Fraction – 1:24,000

– A written Scale – one inch equal 24,000 inches

– A graphic scale – bar line used to show distance

on Earth

– Largest scale map = a City

Mash-up – What are we looking at?

Physical Maps

• Physical maps show

location and topography

(shape of physical

features)

– Earth’s Landforms

(mountains and forests),

Water Features (rivers and

lakes), and Relief and

Elevation (the difference in

height, often shown with a

key).

Political Maps

• Political maps show the boundaries and locations

of political units

– Countries, cities, towns

• A political map has features human-made, or

determined by humans

– Capitals, highways, railroads

Place Names • Toponym – name given to a place on Earth

– Named for important people, religion, landscapes,

physical features.

• Ding Dong TX

• Monkey’s Eyebrow AZ

• Dead Horse AK

• Christmas FL

• Two Eggs FL

• Normal IL

• French Lick IN

• Slaughter LA

• Hell MI

• Hot Coffee MISS

Place names

• Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamat

eaturipukakapikimaungahoronukupokai

whenuakitanatahu

– Translation: "The summit where Tamatea, the

man with the big knees, the climber of

mountains, the land-swallower who travelled

about, played his nose flute to his loved one"

Place Names

• Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubu

nagungamau

• Tweebuffelsmeteenskootmorsdoodgeskiet

fontein

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucCUp-

rx6Yc

Thematic Maps

• Thematic maps can represent a variety of

information including things like climate,

precipitation, vegetation, elevation,

population, life expectancy, etc.

• Thematic maps are generally used when

you are looking at a single piece of

information.