Geography 360

Principles of Cartography

Midterm review

May 3, 2006

This midterm review sheet is designed as a self-study guide. Try to answer all of these questions by yourself if possible before the class. Answers can be found in lecture notes posted on the course website and required readings.

I. Fundamentals of Cartography

1. Level of measurement and map symbolization

  • What is the level of measurement?
  • Can you distinguish four levels of measurement given any attribute?
  • How is the level of measurement critical to the choice of map symbols?

2. Principles of map symbolization

  • What are commonly used visual variables?
  • How are visual variables matched with level of measurement?

3. Models of geographic phenomenon and map type

  • What are two dimensions that constitute models of geographic phenomenon?
  • How are models of geographic phenomenon related to the choice of map types?

4. Earth coordinate

  • What are the three models of earth that provide the basis for measurement of locations?
  • How are latitude and longitude determined?

5. Classifying map projection

  • Class: shape of developable surface
  • Property: geometric properties preserved
  • Case: how developable surface intersects with reference globe
  • Aspect: where developable surface intersects with reference globe

6. Map projection & distortion pattern

  • How does distortion pattern vary by map projection family?
  • How does distortion pattern vary by map projection property?
  • How is Tissot’s indicatrix useful in determining distortion pattern?

7. Data classification

  • What are the four data classification methods?
  • What are advantages and disadvantages of each method?

II. Mapping Techniques

1. Typology of map

  • Reference map
  • Thematic map
  • Qualitative thematic map
  • Quantitative thematic map

Different mapping techniques are suited to different situations. Can you choose the appropriate map types given what you are mapping and why you are mapping?

2. Dot map

  • How is data value magnitude represented in this type of map?
  • How do you determine the appropriate dot size and unit value of dot?
  • How does the size of enumeration unit affect the appearance of a map?

3. Choropleth map

  • How is data value magnitude represented in this kind of map?
  • How does the choice of data classification method affect map users’ ability to reveal pattern?How would you defend your choice of data classification method?
  • What are limitations of choropleth map? How can the limitations be overcome?

4. Proportional symbol map

  • How is data value magnitude represented in this kind of map?
  • What are three scaling methods?
  • What is advantage and disadvantage of using pictographic and geometric symbol?
  • What is advantage and disadvantage of using opaque symbol and transparent symbol?

III. Map Design

1. Principles of map design

  • Map elements can be organized in both hierarchical and planar level
  • Goals are to achieve visual hierarchy and balance

2. Map elements

  • What are common map elements?
  • Rank the visual level of the map elements
  • What are design considerations for each map elements?

3. Visual hierarchy

  • How is visual hierarchy important in map design?
  • How can be visual hierarchy achieved?

3. Color

  • What are four color models, and how are they different?
  • How do we use color effectively for map design?

4. Type

  • How do youchoose type family for map design?
  • How do you choose typographic variables for map design?
  • How do you place type depending on symbol type (point, line, and area)?

IV. Sustainability Mapping

1. The concept of sustainability

  • What is the Bruntland report’s definition of sustainable development?
  • What are triple bottom lines of sustainable development?
  • What are Jesinghaus’ framework for sustainable development?
  • What are criteria for a good sustainability indicator?

2. Measuring sustainability

  • What are spatial data types, and how do they correspond to geographic features?
  • Data, information, evidence, and knowledge: how are they different?

3. Mapping sustainability(cookbook approach)

  • What are you mapping?
  • Is the datayou obtained eligible as a sustainable indicator?
  • What is the goal of this map?
  • Who is the intended audience?
  • Where does this data fit into models of geographic phenomenon?
  • What is the spatial data type?
  • What is the measurement scale of the attribute mapped?
  • Determine the appropriate map type given models of geographic phenomenon
  • Determine the appropriate map symbol given principles of map symbolization
  • Does the map conform to map design principles such as visual hierarchy and balance in general?
  • Does the map conform to map design principles in detail (i.e. specific to mapping technique)?
  • Does map design satisfy the goal?
  • Is there any challenge in map design? How can this map be improved if I have other available resources?

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