Reference Maps
Reference maps are used to show the location and names of geographic features, such as cities, roads, and physical landmarks. They provide a visual representation of the Earth's surface and are often used for navigation, planning, and understanding spatial relationships. These maps typically include a legend or key to help users interpret the symbols and colors used to represent different features.
7 Key excerpts on "Reference Maps"
eBook - ePub- Patrick Wiegand(Author)
- 2006(Publication Date)
- Routledge(Publisher)
...Map evidence can be used to identify regions (e.g. using a world population density map, draw lines around areas that are densely and areas that are sparsely populated) and classify forms (e.g. using a large scale topographic map, classify settlements into linear, dispersed or nucleated types). Maps can be used to make locational recommendations (e.g. the best site for a new factory, shopping mall or sports centre) or to draw inferences (e.g. suggest the history of settlement in a region through the use of place name information). Students’ own map making will continue to develop in this phase with an enhanced appreciation of the use of visual variables and symbol design. Activities might include constructing a set of symbols for use on tourist maps (for example to show locations for swimming, fishing, boating, horse riding, tennis, museums, theatres, etc.) in which pictograms are enclosed in themed geometric shapes (such as squares for cultural activities, circles for water-based activities etc.). These can be drawn, reduced with a photocopier, tested with peers and modified as necessary to give the clearest and most unambiguous symbols possible. Maps should also be designed for different users. For example, a local business might require two forms of map giving directions to its premises: one for the public visiting a showroom (indicating public transport routes and car parking) and another for lorry drivers bringing deliveries (indicating trunk routes and avoiding tight turns). Other forms of mapping include converting information from text to map and making a single summary (précis) map from other, multiple, map sources. A suitable challenge might be to make an annotated map for sailors of Ellen MacArthur’s 2005 record-breaking round-the-world voyage...
eBook - ePubSite Analysis
Informing Context-Sensitive and Sustainable Site Planning and Design
- James A. LaGro(Author)
- 2013(Publication Date)
- Wiley(Publisher)
...Appendix A Mapping and Graphics MAPPING FUNDAMENTALS What Is a Map? A map is a graphic representation, or model, of a geographic setting (Robinson et al., 1995). Maps are efficient ways to graphically portray important physical, biological, and cultural conditions on the site and in adjacent areas. Jenks (1976, p. 19) states: Maps are created to provide information about spatial relationships. No other medium communicates distance, directional, and pattern relationships as well. To make a map, the following three elements must be known (Fisher, 1982, p. 5): Study space Information or values to be displayed Locations, within the space, to which the information applies Throughout human history, maps have been drawn or printed on cloth, paper, Mylar, and other surfaces. Today, site planners rely on computer-generated digital maps or hard-copy maps plotted from digital data. Making and using maps requires familiarity with some basic cartographic concepts and principles, as discussed below. Map Scale Map scale is the ratio of the distance on the map to the distance on the surface portrayed by the map. Map scale, therefore, is commonly expressed as a ratio (e.g., 1:24,000). A map’s scale gets larger as the map’s unit of measurement becomes closer in size to the geographic unit of measurement. As a rule of thumb, large-scale maps have reduction ratios of 1:50,000 or less; small-scale maps have reduction ratios of 1:500,000 or more (Robinson et al., 1995). Map scale also may be expressed in units of distance measure. In the United States, where businesses and governments still employ the English measurement system, map scale is often expressed in inches and feet (e.g., 1 inch = 200 feet). This is especially common in site planning. Converting map scale from a ratio to an equation is straightforward (Table A-1)...
eBook - ePubGIS for Planning and the Built Environment
An Introduction to Spatial Analysis
- Ed Ferrari, Alasdair Rae(Authors)
- 2019(Publication Date)
- Bloomsbury Academic(Publisher)
...At the end of each section, we suggest key principles to follow for effective mapping. First of all, we discuss land cover maps of the type used in different contexts across the world. This kind of map is about categorising areas. In this section, we also touch on the use of colour. We then take a closer look at the choropleth map, an extremely common map type but one that is in our view often misused and misunderstood. The basic idea with the choropleth map is to assign a value (the ‘pleth’ part) to an area (the ‘choro’ part). We then discuss mapping the fabric of the built environment. Here we include maps relating to building footprints, including a kind of map that is also known as a ‘figure-ground’, particularly in an architectural context. This is a very effective way of representing the extent of the built-up and non-built-up area at a local level. We also discuss other relevant map types. The penultimate section of the chapter focuses on map elements, such as labels, legends and scale bars. These seemingly ‘little’ items can play a big role in making our maps intelligible and useful, and, we argue, should not be overlooked. In the conclusions, we reflect on the different elements presented here and provide three key features of a ‘good’ map. Land use maps Maps which show what land is used for, what buildings there are, what land is zoned for or what is growing in a particular area have always had an important role to play in urban planning and the built environment. They help us understand the world in more detail and, depending on their type, they can tell us a great deal about ownership, function, future development potential and a host of other key factors. Given the central role such maps play, then, it is worth looking at an example of how we might map land use. It is also worth stating at the outset that maps which define land ownership in particular are known as cadastral maps...
eBook - ePubBringing History Alive through Local People and Places
A guide for primary school teachers
- Lynne Dixon, Alison Hales(Authors)
- 2013(Publication Date)
- Routledge(Publisher)
...Local historians have long recognised their value (Riden, 1998), as have educationalists. Maps represent a place in a two-dimensional form and therefore allow an insight into what a place is or was like. However, because they cannot show everything, what is shown is always a selection of reality and represents the concerns of the map maker whether in the past or the present. Technical issues such as the accuracy of distance measurement may also have influenced them. There is quite a lot of specialist information about maps which can be overwhelming for the non-specialist, so we are summarising here some key points about their availability and usefulness, and we have provided information about publishers, scales and editions in the resources section at the end of the chapter. Both modern and historic maps can help with local history investigations. The most useful present day and historic maps to have are Ordnance Survey maps. These are available from about the mid-nineteenth century onwards. They are available in hard copy from local history libraries or sometimes as reproductions and electronically. The Digimap service for schools is worth investigating to provide access to maps online. Other historic maps are available which cover the eighteenth and even seventeenth centuries at smaller scales (i.e. with less detail). Reflection Are you confident in your own use of maps? Are large scale maps regularly used in geography or history in school? In other curriculum areas are maps in evidence? Is there a collection of maps in the school and does the school subscribe to Digimap? Disney and Hammond (2002) suggest three approaches to selecting maps for use in school: all available maps from the earliest map to that of the present day arranged in a catalogue for use by staff; maps to illustrate change over a particular period, e.g...
eBook - ePubThe Visual Language of Spatial Planning
Exploring Cartographic Representations for Spatial Planning in Europe
- Stefanie Dühr(Author)
- 2007(Publication Date)
- Routledge(Publisher)
...For the German system, these have for example been described as base maps used to inform the planning strategy (and to help planners understand and represent the complexity of reality and the consequences of the proposed policies), participation maps used for consultation, and the final ‘plan’ used for reproduction. The two latter functions involve an ‘external’ communication function, that is, they are intended for use outside the planning department, by other planning actors or even the wider public. Clearly, these different types and functions of cartographic representations in the planning process imply certain graphic and linguistic characteristics, as function dictates the form and style of the ‘planning map’. These can be categorised into detailed versus abstract/generalised, and ‘finished’ (in the meaning of ‘map-like’ with topographic base information, frame, title and legend) versus ‘sketchy’/unfinished (with fuzzy boundaries that give the illustration a provisional feel). Increasing European integration has also prompted an interest in the representation of spatial policies for larger territories, and a debate has begun on the function of ‘spatial visions’ at transnational levels as well as of cartographic representations of spatial policy in informal planning instruments at higher spatial scale more generally. The debate about how best to present spatial policy at transnational scale is ongoing, but pointers about the cartographic expression which should reflect the informal and non-binding status of these documents have been given by analysts such as Kunzmann (1993) and Moll (1993) for the experience at federal level in Germany. They identify high simplification, extreme generalisation as well as artistic and aesthetic presentations as important components in winning support for a strategy...
- John Bale(Author)
- 2013(Publication Date)
- Routledge(Publisher)
...3 Teaching map skills There is little controversy surrounding the assertion that all primary school children should be introduced to map work and mapping skills. At the end of the primary phase children should be able to understand and apply ideas such as direction, location, scale and symbolism (Boardman, 1983). Although in the early years of primary education learning mapping skills will be rooted very firmly in the known, local environment, by the age of 11 children will have started making the transition to small-scale maps and from an atlas will be able to use the basic elements described above at continental and global scales. If the first basic tenet of geography teaching is to work from the known to the unknown, the second is that we begin geographical education with large-scale maps and from these proceed to those of smaller scale. Large-scale maps have greater detail and cover smaller areas than small-scale maps. A 1:2,500 Ordnance Survey plan is an example of a large-scale map; an atlas map of the world is a small-scale map. It is upon large-scale maps (Table 3.1) that we focus for most of this chapter. Table 3.1 Large-scale maps Representative fraction Area coverage Space coverage 1:1250 Urban areas 500 m. sq. 1:2500 Britain but not mountain and moorland 2 km. sq. 1:10000 Whole of Britain 5 km. sq. A number of map elements (Catling, 1981) exist which will aid the teacher in the identification of what ought to be taught in primary school mapwork. These elements are: (a) Perspective – maps enable us to see what is hidden at ground level. (b) Position and orientation – maps show how features of various kinds are geographically related to one another and where they are located. From them directions can be given and grid systems added to aid the identification of accurate location. (c) Scale – maps are scaled down representations of reality; in this sense maps are models (Board, 1967)...
- Elisabete A. Silva, Patsy Healey, Neil Harris, Pieter Van den Broeck, Elisabete A. Silva, Patsy Healey, Neil Harris, Pieter Van den Broeck(Authors)
- 2014(Publication Date)
- Routledge(Publisher)
...Moll (1991, 1992) distinguished at least three main categories, which are used to varying degrees in the process of preparing a spatial plan. These categories include (1) ‘base maps’ of a mostly informative character – that is, maps of an analytical thematic or topographic nature (e.g., on population development or transport infrastructure); (2) cartographic representations for participative purposes – that is, maps setting out policy options with a strongly communicative character; and, lastly, (3) cartographic representations that lay down the objectives of the plan in its final form, often with legal status and that are aimed at reproduction. No map is value-free and unbiased, but spatial policy maps that express longer-term spatial development visions are most obviously expressions of political interests. However, these political interests may or may not be easy to identify, because aside from clear and dominant policies that can be identified there are likely also more subtle representations of interest or manifestations of power embedded in the plan map. By using a certain commonly accepted code of representation that communicates the legitimacy of planning policies or intended actions, cartographic representations in planning demonstrate a persuasive power which helps to win over public opinion and to coordinate the actions of a wide variety of users and interests (Söderström 1996). The representation of certain interests over others and the power of planning maps have become manifest through planning approaches such as the principle of zoning since the 1920s, because as Söderström (1996: 266) explains, what resisted graphic treatment would be slowly pushed into the background, so that the diffusion of zoning […] corresponded to the elaboration of a form of urban planning which essentially depended upon visualizations...
