Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 5
Getting the Message of
Maps
In This Chapter
Knowing what a map is showing
Measuring distance and size
Taking a look at graphics
Using symbols to depict reality
Finding ways to gather information
Harnessing new technologies for an old medium
W hen I was an adolescent, one of my prized possessions was a big world atlas. I'd sit in my room
for hours at a time just pouring over pages I had randomly turned to. While it was all very mesmeriz-
ing and fascinating, one day, a disturbing thought occurred to me: Most teen-aged boys don't do this.
What's wrong with me?
Over the years, and much to my relief, I met numerous geography teachers and students who, however
meekly, admitted to similar habits. Indeed, such behavior turns out to be perfectly normal for people
who, whether or not they know it, have a yen for geography. No doubt, that is because the map is the
most basic geographical tool.
Complementing the previous chapters on Earth's grid and the properties of projections, this chapter fo-
cuses on ways in which maps communicate information and how some of that information is obtained.
Basically, this chapter is about map reading and map information for the novice. Therefore, if you are,
in fact, one of those people who can stare at maps for hours, then you can probably skip this chapter.
But if maps confuse you or seem overwhelming, or if you have never been taught the fundamentals of
maps and map reading, then this chapter is for you. While you probably won't master all there is to
know, you can familiarize yourself with enough fundamentals so that you get the message of maps.
Checking Out the Basic Map Components
