Types of Maps

Question 1

What is the name of the map below?

Answer 1

Mercator Projection

Question 2

What are the strengths and weaknesses of the Mercator projection?

Answer 2

Strengths: Allows sailors to navigate the Oceans better, allowing them to make a straight line course

Weaknesses: It’s not accurate because it distorts the size of land masses the closer they get to the North/South Pole. This is why Greenland looks almost as big as Africa despite being 14 TIMES LARGER than Greenland.

Question 3

What type of map is this?

Answer 3

Topographic

Topographic map uses contour lines to represent elevation.

Question 4

What map is pictured?

Answer 4

A Physical Map

Physical maps show the physical geography of an area. Mountainous areas are usually shades of brown, and valleys are shades of green

Question 5

What map is shown below

Answer 5

Political Map

A political map shows you the boundaries of states and countries.

Question 6

What type of map is shown below?

Answer 6

Thematic Map

Unlike the other maps found in this deck, Thematic Maps can show a variety of things. The one thing that ALL thematic maps have in common is that they require human data to be inputted. In the previous picture, what was shown was the results of a Presidential Election.

Question 8

What are the five types of maps that could also be considered thematic maps?

Answer 8

Graduated Symbol Maps

Dot Maps

Choropleth Maps

Isoline Maps

Cartogram Maps

Question 9

What map is shown?

Answer 9

Choropleth Map

A Choropleth map uses color to show information about the area. For instance, the different shades on this choropleth map show the different poverty levels in all 50 states

Question 10

What are the strengths and weaknesses of a Chloropleth map?

Answer 10

Strength: Easy to read and make

Weakness: Dangerous because of stereotypes, classification, induction, etc

Question 11

What map is shown?

Answer 11

A dot map is shown

Dot maps represent the frequency of the mapped variable

Question 12

What are the strengths and weaknesses of dot maps?

Answer 12

Strengths: Shows actual precise locations of phenomena. The dot can bt a symbol or shape making it easier to see

Weakness: Anything less than the minimum “dot” amount will not be shown on the map.

Can be difficult to read, have to count up the dots

Question 13

What map is shown below?

Answer 13

A graduated symbol map.

A thematic map in which the size of the symbol varies in proportion to the frequency of the mapped variable

Question 14

What are the strengths and weaknesses of Graduated Symbol Maps?

Answer 14

Strengths: Very easy to read and understand. Flexible because you can use all types of data

Weaknesses: Congestion/overlap.

Question 15

What map is shown?

Answer 15

Isoline Map

An Isoline map is a map with lines that connect points of equal value.

Isoline maps usually help people figure out temperature, air pressure, precipitation, etc

Question 16

What map is shown?

Answer 16

Cartogram Map

A cartogram map distorts the geography of the actual map to show you certain info.

Question 17

What map is shown below

Answer 17

Flow Map is shown

A flow map is a mix of maps and flow charts that show the movement of objects from one location to another

Question 18

What types of maps are considered “Reference Maps”?

Answer 18

Political Maps

Physical Maps

Road Maps (showing interstate highways, etc)

Reference maps can also be the maps you would see at Disneyland or Six Flags.