maps and cartography. cartography cartography is the art and science of expressing the known...
TRANSCRIPT
Cartography
Cartography is the art and science of expressing the known physical features of the earth graphical by maps and charts.
Maps
Maps are made for many reasons, and as a result, vary in content. Some maps made for general purposes may show roads, towns and cities, rivers and lakes, parks, and State and local boundaries. The history of civilization has been illustrated by maps: battle maps by soldiers, exploration maps by empire builders, thematic maps by scientists.
History
No one knows who drew, molded, laced together, or scratched out in the dirt the first map. A study of history reveals that the most pressing demands for accuracy and detail in mapping have come as a result of military needs.
Early Maps
The earliest atlases in the Library of Congress are associated with Claudius Ptolemy, an Alexandrian scholar who recorded and systematized classical Greek geographical knowledge during the second century. He titled his cartographic publication as the Geographia.
Early Explorers
The voyages of Christopher Columbus, John Cabot, and Amerigo Vespucci dramatically changed the world map. One of the earliest printed maps to incorporate this new world view was Johann Ruysch’s map which is found in the 1507 reprinting of the 1490 Rome edition of Ptolemy's Geographia.
Introduction of Maps
Martin Waldseemuller’s 1513 edition of Ptolemy was a landmark work that contributed to major advances in both Renaissance geography and map printing. Published by Johann Schott in Strassburg, it depicts for the first time in an atlas format the newly discovered continents of North and South America connected by a coastline.
Cartography as a Science
French geographers placed cartography on a firm scientific footing during the eighteenth century, and many of their maps reflect original surveys or first-hand accounts obtained from French explorers and missionaries.
French and British Maps
French and British charts began to replace the hold that Dutch charts had on the atlas trade during the eighteenth century with the expansion of maritime activities in these two countries.
Post-Revolutionary War Map
A map of North America describing and distinguishing the British, Spanish and French dominions on this continent; according to the
definitive treaty concluded at Paris on February 10th, 1763.
Maps from Satellites
Maps have evolved from mere sketches on the ground to satellites photos delivering precision accuracy. The photo below is a Mosaic map of Antarctica created from 23 satellite images.
Computer Generated Maps
Computer-generated map showing earthquake-prone areas. High-risk areas appear as white peaks.
Summary
Improvements in maps that have occurred throughout history are comparable to the change from pedestrian to astronaut. Information that used to be collected little by little from ground observations, can now be collected instantly by satellites hurtling through space, and recorded data can be flashed back to Earth at the speed of light.
Summary (con’t)
Maps are an integral part of everyday life. Without maps, the world would be much smaller, culture diversities and experiences could not be shared, and life would be drastically different than it is today.
Learn More
To learn more about maps, visit: http://www.usgs.gov/education/
http://www.loc.gov/rr/geogmap/
To view maps, visit: http://www.cnn.com/travel/driving.directions
http://nationalatlas.gov/natlas/natlasstart.asp
Lesson
Draw a map from your present location to your house.Be specific.Include as many details as possible.
You will swap maps with a classmate. Your classmate will explain your map to the remainder of the class .