Using Maps - AP Human Geography

A dot map may easily be used to demonstrate the distribution of a particular item across a space. Here, dots may be used to represent each federal prison and its location across a map of the United States.

Nepal is a landlocked Asian country bordered only by China and India, which happen to be the two most populous nations on Earth. Nepal is bordered to the north by China, and to the south, east, and west, by India. Nepal is separated from Bangladesh by the narrow Siliguri Corridor, which is part of India.

The Mercator Projection was an attempt to create a two-dimensional map that maintained accurate and reliable compass points, and in this it succeeded, but, unfortunately, in doing so it distorted the area of continents and landmasses relative to each other. In the Mercator Projection as you get further from the equator the landmasses become larger and larger compared to how they would accurately be projected. This means that Antarctica and Greenland look much larger than they should appear.

A “cartogram” is the name given to a type of map in which land size is adjusted or distorted to reflect the relative size of some other aspect of a country. So in a cartogram in which the land size of countries are adjusted to reflect Gross Domestic Product the United States would be the largest; in a cartogram in which the land size of countries are adjusted to reflect population size China would be the largest.

Whilst it is true that political concerns can sometimes impede the pursuit of an accurate depiction of the world this is not the primary reason why it is so difficult to produce an accurate map. The primary reason is that the world is a three-dimensional object (a sphere) and a map is a two-dimensional object (usually a rectangle). When a three-dimensional object is reproduced on a two-dimensional surface some aspects are naturally, and unavoidably, distorted. The challenge for many mapmakers is how to reduce this distortion, or rather how to provide the most accurate depiction of the world.

The “international dateline” is on the opposite side of the planet to prime meridian. Whereas prime meridian is found at 0’, the international dateline is found at 180’. The international dateline is the point where each day begins for the first time, it is found in the Pacific Ocean.

The Peters Projection map emerged from the belief by some geographers that the Mercator Projection distorts the relative size of each continent and therefore makes some continents (Europe, North America, Asia, Antarctica) look larger than they are and makes other continents (Africa, South America) look smaller than they are. Accordingly this apparently makes people think these shrunk continents are less significant that they actually are. The Peters Projection aims to fix this mindset, particularly with regard to Africa. As it is partially based on political considerations the Peters Projection is naturally controversial.

The “resolution” of a map refers to the smallest thing that can be recorded on the map. For example a map of the United States might only show cities with a population of five hundred thousand or more, so a city with a population of four hundred thousand would fall outside of the resolution of the map. The ratio between map distance and actual distance is known as the “scale.”

“Prime Meridian” is where lines of longitude begin. It also informs time zones, so whenever you see that the East Coast of America is , this means it is behind what is known as “Greenwich Mean Time.” Prime Meridian runs through Greenwich, in England. You might notice how when you look at a flat world map it looks like England is in the middle of the world, this is simply because at the time geography as a science really began to take off England and France were in control of the world and were therefore able to place themselves in the middle. England is, of course, not actually the center of the world.

The Fuller Projection emphasizes accurate representation of the relative size of Earth’s landmasses, but in so doing it distorts distance and compass direction heavily. Because of the difficulty of projecting a three-dimensional object (the Earth) onto a two-dimensional surface (a map) all maps must sacrifice one level of accuracy to emphasize another level.

The Ptolemy Projection and The Eratosthenes Projection are not actual map projections so neither of these could be correct answers. The Mercator Projection specifically emphasizes accurate direction, but in doing so distorts land size. The Peters Projection is an attempt to accurately reflect the land size of all continents equally, but in doing so it distorts distance and direction. The Robinson Projection is something of a compromise in that it attempts to minimize errors in distance, relative size, and compass direction but does not accurately depict any one of these factors wholly.

Geographers use a coordinate system to describe the location of any particular place on Earth. The coordinate system is made up of lines of longitude and lines of latitude. Lines of longitude—also called “meridians”—begin at the North Pole and make their way “up and down” the Earth to the South Pole. All lines of longitude eventually meet at the poles (i.e. time zones such as Eastern Standard Time or Greenwich Mean Time). On the other hand, lines of latitude make their way around the Earth and never intersect with each other; they are often also called “parallels” (i.e. the equator).

“Isolines” are used primarily in topographical maps. The topography of a region refers to its elevation and the changes in its elevation; therefore, isolines are used to demonstrate elevation.

A “cadastral map,” also known as a “cadastre,” is used to depict the value of land and property in a region. They are often used for the purpose of establishing land and property taxes.

“Choropleth” maps are maps that provide information using different shades and colors. So a map depicting population density might have regions colored red to demonstrate high density, orange to demonstrate medium density, and yellow to demonstrate low density.

The “Azimuthal” map projection depicts the Earth as centered around either the North or South Pole -most commonly an “Azimuthal” projection will be centered on the North Pole. The projection is used by the United Nations because it can categorically be described as unbiased towards any one nation or region.

A thematic map displays a unified information scheme. This map can give the viewer varying types of information such as religious affiliation or population age.

The term for a basic map is a reference map. This is the most common type of map and the type most people are familiar with.

Lines of latitude measure the distance North or South of the Equator and run East-West on a globe or map.