The Geographer’s Tools

Copyright 1996-2001 © Dale Carnegie & Associates, Inc.

Globe

• Three-dimensional representation of the earth

– not easily portable

– we can only see half of it at a time

Map• Two-dimensional graphic

representation of selected parts of the earth’s surface.

– Distorts the earth when flattened

Cartographer: A person who makes maps

• Map Projection

– A way of drawing the Earth’s surface by presenting a round Earth on a flat paper.

Planar/Azimuthal

• Projection on a flat surface.

– Distorts shape and size

Conical• Projection onto a cone

– Usually shows east to west

– Distorts land at edges

Mercator (compromise)

• Projection onto a cylinder

– Shows entire earth on one map

– Places are distorted at the poles and compressed near the equator

Homolosine

• “Interrupted map”

– Accurate shapes and sizes

– cannot measure distances correctly

Robinson• Oval with top and bottom edges cut off

– Accurate size and shape

– Places near poles appear flat

Peter’s projection• Distorts shape

• Size more accurate

North isn’t UP?

N

Early maps:

ACTIVITY

• MENTAL MAPS

Important to know:

• Maps have different purposes.

– Geographer’s use a map for the job their doing

• Airplane pilot

• Contractor

• Teacher

Physical Map

• A two dimensional representation of the natural features of the earth

Political Map

• A two dimensional representation of the states and countries of the earth.

Surveying

• Observing

• Measuring and recording what is seen in a specific area in order to make a map

Landsat

• A series of satellites that orbit more than 100 miles above the Earth and collect geographic data.

Geostationary Operational Environment Satellite (GOES)

• Weather Satellite

Global Positioning System (GPS)

•Uses 24 satellites called Navstars which beam information to the earth to give the exact position (lat, long, time) to a hand-held receiver.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)

• Stores information about the world in a digital database.

– Combine info. From variety of sources

– Display allows user to visualize the use of space

– #1 tool of Geographers. $$$

ACTIVITY

• SKETCH MAPS