The Transition from the Analytic to Synthesis Reasoning in the Maps of Geographic School Atlases for Children - Maps for the Future Children Education and Internet - page 87

Afterwards, the atlas Thematic Cartography is based upon the map elaboration
as a construction within the parameters that consider the graphic representation as a
language, integrating a monosemic semiotic system (having only one meaning)
(Bertin 1973 , 1977 ).
Within this context, the atlas thematic maps can be constructed by selecting the
most appropriate method to the characteristics and forms of manifestation (on dots,
on lines, on areas) of the phenomena of the reality took into account on each theme,
following a qualitative, ordered or quantitative approach.
The representations can also undertake either a static or dynamic appreciation of
the reality. Yet, the phenomena that compose the reality to be represented on a map
could be glimmered within analytic or synthesis reasoning. Thus, on the one hand,
there is an attention to the constitutive elements, the places, paths or areas
characterized by attributes or variables but on the other hand, there are integrated
spatial units, which mean groupings of places, paths or areas being characterized by
groupings of attributes or variables.
7.3 The Analytic Reasoning
The analytic reasoning in maps is directed to the scrutiny of the geographic space,
mobilizing procedures of classification, combination and search for explanations
about facts or phenomena seen indistinctly on the reality. The mental operations
undertaken, regarding analytic maps, will allow the student to formulate conjectures
about what would elucidate the phenomena geography. However, before a more
rigorous critic, authors affirm that they would not be able to suggest the causalities or
give the explanations by themselves, but to indicate new researches (Rimbert 1968 ;
Claval and Wieber 1969 ).
Analytic maps are the most widespread on school atlases. They can display the
representations on a qualitative, ordered or quantitative approach, considering
manifestations on points, lines, and areas, according to the static or dynamical
point of view.
Qualitative maps express the existence, the location and the extension of the
events on a certain situation on the time, that are distinguished by their nature,
species, allowing them to be classified by criteria established by the sciences that
study them.
Ordinate maps show, on a certain date, categories that are enlisted on a sole
sequence, defining hierarchies, or focalize, on a single map, aspects that were being
consolidated over the time.
Quantitative maps evidence the relationship of proportionality between quantities
that characterize places, paths or areas for a certain moment. Look at the following
example: the map shows in analytic form the ternary structures of Brazil land use of
the establishment total areas in 2006 (Fig. 7.1 ).
From a dynamical point of view, maps can show qualitative, ordered and
quantitative variations on the time or qualitative, ordered and quantitative directed
movements on the space.