Geographylab

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Internet lab #1: An Introduction to Maps and Globes

This activity introduces you to some of the uses and types of maps, the process of plotting locations on a map, the differences between maps and globes, and some old decorative globes.

Part I) Uses and Types of Maps

Go to the "Mapmaker, Mapmaker, make me a Map" site at http://www.utenn.edu/uwa/vpps/ur/ut2kids/maps/map.html

1. Look at the types of maps that are listed on the site. Match the landscape features in the left column with the type of map (listed in the right column) on which you will most likely see each feature.

____The Missouri River				a. Political
____The distribution of all the people in the United States who own tractors				b. Physical
____Highway 65 in Indiana				c. Road
____The town of Carlisle, Pennsylvania				d. Thematic
____The direction that the latest blizzard is traveling				e. Weather

Part II) Map Projections and Plotting Coordinates

2. Read the "Mapmaker, Mapmaker, make me a Map" Web page and definitions to learn about map projections. At the section on projections, look at the world as represented by each projection and compare the sizes of Greenland and South America in each. For each projection type, check the land mass that appears to be bigger.

Type of Projection	Greenland	South America
Equal Area
Conformal
Compromise
Azimuthal

According to Goode's World Atlas, Greenland is about 840 square miles and South America is about 6,883 square miles in total land area.

3. Which map projection distorts the true sizes of these land masses the most? (Did you know that this projection is also the most commonly used in the maps you see everyday?!) ______________________________________________________________________________

According to the site, why does this type of map exist if it's so distorting? ____________________________________________________________________________

Part III) Map Projections continued

To compare two different maps of the world, go to the Peter's Projection web site at:

http://www.webcom.com/~bright/page3.html

The map on the left is called the Peters Map. The map on the right is called the Mercator map.

5) Which of these world maps looks most like the one you're used to seeing?

6) Look at the Mercator map. Which looks bigger: Europe or Africa?

7) Look at the Peters Map. Which looks bigger: Europe or Africa?

Believe it or not, the Peters map shows the continents and countries more like they really are.

Part IV) Create your own map (#8-11)

To create your own map, go to the OMC Input Form at

http://www.aquarius.geomar.de/omc/make_map.html

You are going to create four maps of different areas of the earth. You will then need to examine a world map to determine what four areas you have mapped.

First, familiarize yourself with the process of map-making at this site by reading the "How To" page.

Now, one at a time, create a map for each of these places. Type in the coordinates (latitude and longitude) on the screen, and make sure you've selected "draw political boundaries" and "draw topography" to get more detail on your maps. For map projection, select either Mercator or Equidistant Cylindrical Projection. Then, create a map for each set of coordinates and write in the space provided what land mass or area of the world each one is.

North	South	East	West	Name of Area
11	-60	330	270	_______________
-8	-50	180	111	_______________
70	36	40	-11	_______________
49	40	283	268	_______________

Using the atlas in your book as a guide, plot the boundaries of your home state or country. How accurate is your map the first time you try? ________________________________________________________________________________
If there's time, try plotting one of the maps above using the different projections. (You can see examples of the projections by selecting "map projections.") How does your map look different using the following projections?

Mercator ______________________________
Equidistant Cylindrical ______________________________
Polar Stereographic ______________________________
Lambert Azimuthal Equal-Area ______________________________
Orthographic ______________________________