Purpose of maps- This article gives the definition of a map and its purposes.
First map- This is a picture of the first map that was drawn onto a clay tablet. It has been dated to approximately 2500 B.C. and found in Babylonia. It also shows a better picture that interprets the map drawn on the clay tablet.
Mental map- This website discusses how our mental maps don’t really match reality. It explains the difference between reality and our internal maps. It depends on how we all learn, that will determine how we make “our map.” Information in this website shows us why we create our mental maps, and why we all have different maps in our heads.
Accomplishments of the Greeks- This article from Wikipedia, an online encyclopedia explains the work of Ptolemy in his book Geographia. It also discusses the work of Eratosthenes, another Greek scholar who sought to understand how to represent the Earth.
Spherical Coordinates- This website explains what spherical coordinates are and how they are also used in a similar way for Geometry.
Chronometer- Jonathon Medwin provides you with a picture of a chronometer as you enter his website. He also helps you to understand the reason the chronometer was invented in the 18th century. Also mentioned is what is required for use of the chronometer on board.
Greenwich Observatory - The Greenwich Observatory on its homepage created this very appealing site. This particular article was found through a link to the history of the landmark. It gives great historical detail and also includes a picture of the Greenwich time ball.
Characteristics- A picture showing the Equator, Prime Meridian, Tropic of Cancer, and Tropic of Capricorn.
Explanation of distortion- After scrolling to the section labeled “Map Distortion,” Bonnie Goldstein DeVarco provides you with a wonderful explanation of map distortion. This article even discusses briefly the Mercator and Robinson projections.
Conformal maps- This website from Peter H. Dana, The Geographer's Craft Project, Department of Geography, The University of Colorado at Boulder, provides a detailed picture of a Mercator Projection. Conformal maps project the round earth onto a flat surface. It preserves the angles but distorts area, just like the Mercator Projection.
Equal area maps- Henry Bottomley provides you with an interactive link on his website. As you enter the site you are able to demonstrate different map projects by looking in the scroll box. You are able to see first hand what a Cylindrical, Sinusoidal, and Azimuthal Equal Area map look like. Equal area maps preserve area correctly, but significantly distort the angles.
Function and examples- Thematic maps depict patterns “about the space.” They convey patterns of distribution like: population or oil wells. This link from the U.S. Census Bureau provides example thematic maps from each state or the United States as a whole. In this link you are also able to pick from one of their seven “themes” to draw a map upon.
Verbal and Representative Fraction- This website explains the differences between the verbal and the reference scales. It also gives some common conversions for practice. The examples this link provides will help you to understand how to go from verbal to representative and visa versa.
Representative Conversions- This website allows you to type a representative fraction in to convert it.
Verbal Conversions- This website allows you to do verbal map scale conversions.
Submitted by Marisa Taylor on October 16, 2003.
