The Changing Face of Maps

The Changing Face of Maps — page 1 — WHAT IS A MAP There are many different types of map Although we often associate maps with images drawn on paper modern maps cover a range of different purposes and media It is easier to recognize a map than to describe what a map is Traditional maps are two-dimensional drawings of a place used for navigation or for establishing boundaries between land owned by different people Other maps represent information rather than geography The information might be concrete such as the size of a population or abstract such as average wealth Many modern maps are actually photographs while some maps deliberately distort or change the shape and size of geographical regions This map of North America was created by Louis Hennepin a priest and explorer in 1698 At this time cartographers left unexplored regions blank 4

The Changing Face of Maps — page 2 — New Definitions Cartography the study of maps has evolved over time Today most cartographers see maps as graphic representations not only of places but also of events conditions or even ideas This definition includes images that would not have traditionally been considered as maps such as diagrams of the human body For example the Human Connectome Project is an ambitious program that aims to track the workings of the brain as a series of maps Researchers hope to map the billions of pathways in the human brain to better understand how our nervous system is connected Using special devices researchers for the Human Connectome Project create maps such as the one above which shows different color-coded pathways in the brain New Media New definitions of maps have to include a wider range of technology and media Some modern maps are on screens rather than on paper They use technology that changes the map to follow the user’s surroundings Smartphone apps allow users to track their own routes on Geographic Information Systems GIS Unlike traditional maps these maps are tailored to a person and his or her surroundings They can plot the best route between two places and follow progress along it They can even show how long the journey will take Mapping apps on smartphones are customized to their users needs and preferences 5

The Changing Face of Maps — page 3 — Images from Space Some modern maps are based on images of Earth taken from space In 1972 the Earth Resources Technology Satellite was launched It was later renamed Landsat Since then Landsat satellites have orbited Earth taking photographs of the planet’s surface The satellites do not only photograph changes in the visual appearance of the land however They use thermal imaging and radar to photograph things that are not visible on Earth such as the temperature of the oceans and changing sea levels One of the most ambitious modern mapping projects is Google Earth Launched in 2005 it aims to allow computer users to view Earth’s surface in three dimensions or 3D 2000 Did You Know The images on Google Earth appear to be regular satellite photographs In fact they are made up of many different images with images taken from airplanes and ground based observations 2012 These images from the Landsat satellite show the same part of the Amazon rain forest in Brazil at different times Forest areas are dark green while logged areas are lighter green and brown The straight lines are roads 6

The Changing Face of Maps — page 4 — breakthroughs WHAT IS A MAP Tracking Resources The Landsat program is just one way for mapmakers to monitor natural resources The United States Geological Survey has launched a project to record details of landform soil and land cover in a vast database The survey divides Earth’s surface into 820-foot 250-meter square cells called Ecological Land Units It gathers information for each cell The information is used to generate layers of color-coding that can be used on maps The layers can be combined into highly detailed maps of resources such as trees fresh water or rocks and minerals Presenting Data Some cartographers are not interested in reflecting the physical qualities of the world In a form of map known as a cartogram areas are deliberately distorted Cartograms use maps to show comparisons between different parts of a community country or of the whole world Cartograms are a striking way to show statistical information that is converted into maps by computer programs North America Europe North Africa India This cartogram shows the expected population in 2050 China and India are largest because they will have the largest populations The colors help indicate the countries in each continent China South America Southern Africa South and Southeast Asia and Australasia 7

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