Map & Chart Properties

SO432 Fall 2005

This lab consists of two parts:

1. Looking at a selection of maps and charts for their common elements and differences.
2. The history of mapping

You may work on this assignment in groups of 2. You may not collaborate with any other groups.

Your product (PowerPoint, Word, or web page ) must be delivered electronically to the instructor.  Make sure that product works once it is off your hard disk (particularly if you use a web page).  You can deliver via ZIP disk, email, or CD-ROM   You  may work in groups of two, and will include a listing of the credit/blame for each person.

The maps are in a drawer in the map cabinet in the back of the classroom.  There are about about 5-6 copies of each map, so you will have to share.  You cannot remove any of the maps from the classroom.

Lab will be turned in by class on Wed 31 August 2005.  Late submissions without a valid excuse (e.g. hospital admission or emergency leave) will receive a 0 grade.

Part 1.  Five maps and charts:

• 19^th century hydrographic chart of Annapolis harbor
• current hydrographic chart
• 1:24,000 USGSS topographic map
• aeronautical chart
• http://maps.google.com/--zoom in until you can see the Naval Academy, and look at the Map, Satellite, and Hybrid products

 Create a tables showing what you consider the key elements of a map or chart, and how they are depicted or represented on each map.   The sample below is designed to get you started.  Your table should have about a half dozen categories if you think about your categories and select the  important aspects.  Your grade will depend in part of the amount of thinking you put into this part of the exercise.

Discuss how the google map shares the characteristics of the paper maps, it advantages and disadvantages, and what is required

Part 2.  History of Mapmaking.

• find images of maps or charts on the WWW.  Be careful to get a map actually made during this period, and not a map made by historians to show what the world looked like at the time.  You should clearly show that you know the difference.
  1. an ancient map (before 500 BC)
  2. a classical map (Ptolemy, or about the year 0)
  3. a medieval map (about 1400)
  4. a Renaissance map (about 1600)
• write a  paragraph of what  each map shows and why it is important for the development of mapping.  You do not have to use complete sentences, but your train of thought must be clear.  You must include a source where you obtained each map. Include the time when the map was made, and the country where it was made.
• Discuss how these maps differ from those you looked at in Part 1.
• Paste the map into a document (PowerPoint, Word, or web page) with your table  and discussion from Part 1.

The following web sites may help you to get started, all were verified as live on 8/18/2005.

• http://feature.geography.wisc.edu/histcart/
• http://math.rice.edu/~lanius/pres/map/
• http://lcweb.loc.gov/rr/geogmap/gmpage.html
• http://lcweb2.loc.gov/ammem/gmdhtml/gmdhome.html
• http://www.lib.utexas.edu/Libs/PCL/Map_collection/Map_collection.html
• http://www.owu.edu/~jbkrygie/krygier_html/geog_222/geog_222_lo/geog_222_lo05.html
• http://www.travelinsurancereview.net/Travel-Facts/History-of-maps.html

Nice current link to a number of currently active sites: http://www.autoinsurancecenter.com/getting-there-by-car-boat-or-plane-a-guide-to-maps.htm  (verified live on 9/19/12; thanks to Jess and Patrick from Jean Massieu Academy for the link).