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Study Guide: Cartography: Principles, Types, and Applications

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Cartography: Principles, Types, and Applications Study Guide

Fundamentals of Cartography: Definitions and History

A map is fundamentally a symbolic depiction primarily focused on historical events within a defined space.

Answer: False

Explanation: A map is fundamentally a symbolic depiction of interrelationships, most commonly spatial, between elements within a defined space, not primarily historical events.

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The word 'map' originates from 'Mappa mundi', where 'mappa' meant 'napkin' or 'cloth' and 'mundi' meant 'of the world'.

Answer: True

Explanation: The term 'map' is derived from the medieval Latin 'Mappa mundi', where 'mappa' signified 'napkin' or 'cloth', referring to a flat representation of the world.

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The oldest possibly surviving map, dated to 25,000 BC, was discovered in Greece.

Answer: False

Explanation: The oldest possibly surviving map, dated to 25,000 BC, was engraved on a mammoth tusk and discovered in Pavlov, Czech Republic.

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Gerardus Mercator is credited with developing the Mercator Projection and popularizing the concept of the 'atlas'.

Answer: True

Explanation: Gerardus Mercator, a Flemish geographer, is recognized for creating the Mercator Projection and for popularizing the term 'atlas' for a collection of maps.

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Cartography is solely the art of map-making, without any scientific basis.

Answer: False

Explanation: Cartography is defined as both the art and science of map-making, involving the study and practice of creating representations of the Earth's surface.

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The modern cartographic convention of placing north at the top of a map has been standard since ancient times.

Answer: False

Explanation: The convention of placing north at the top of a map is a relatively recent development, only a few hundred years old, contrasting with earlier practices like orienting maps with east at the top.

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Historically, maps were sometimes oriented to place a significant or holy site at the top.

Answer: True

Explanation: Historical map orientations were influenced by cultural and religious factors, often placing significant or holy sites at the top, rather than a consistent cardinal direction.

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What is the fundamental definition of a map according to the source?

Answer: A symbolic depiction of interrelationships, most commonly spatial, between elements within a defined space.

Explanation: The source defines a map as a symbolic depiction of interrelationships, primarily spatial, among elements within a defined area, which can be presented on various media.

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From what medieval Latin phrase does the word 'map' originate, and what did 'mappa' mean?

Answer: Mappa Mundi, where 'mappa' meant 'napkin' or 'cloth'.

Explanation: The word 'map' is derived from 'Mappa mundi,' a medieval Latin phrase where 'mappa' signified 'napkin' or 'cloth,' referring to a flat representation of the world.

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Where was the oldest possibly surviving map, dated to 25,000 BC, discovered?

Answer: In Pavlov, Czech Republic, engraved on a mammoth tusk.

Explanation: The oldest possibly surviving map, dating back to 25,000 BC, was found engraved on a mammoth tusk in Pavlov, Czech Republic.

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Which cartographer developed the Mercator Projection and popularized the concept of the 'atlas'?

Answer: Gerardus Mercator

Explanation: Gerardus Mercator is recognized for his development of the Mercator Projection and for popularizing the term 'atlas' for a collection of maps.

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What is the definition of cartography?

Answer: The art and science of map-making, creating representations of the Earth's surface on a flat plane.

Explanation: Cartography is defined as the art and science dedicated to the study and practice of creating representations of the Earth's surface on a flat plane.

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How has map orientation evolved from the Middle Ages to the modern convention?

Answer: From east at the top to north at the top.

Explanation: Map orientation evolved from a medieval practice of placing east at the top (from which 'orient' is derived) to the modern convention of placing north at the top.

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Map Elements and Design Principles

Contour lines on maps are exclusively used to indicate elevation above sea level.

Answer: False

Explanation: Contour lines on maps can indicate constant values of various location-specific information, including elevation, temperature, or rainfall.

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On Arctic polar maps, the North direction points away from the center, and the 0° meridian is typically placed at the top.

Answer: False

Explanation: On Arctic polar maps, the North direction points towards the center, and the 0° meridian is typically placed at the bottom. The described orientation is characteristic of Antarctic polar maps.

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Map scale, expressed as a ratio, is only accurate when the mapped region is large enough to account for Earth's curvature.

Answer: False

Explanation: A single map scale ratio is accurate when the mapped region is small enough that the Earth's curvature can be disregarded, such as in a city map.

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Map projections are used to translate the Earth's curved surface onto a flat plane, always without any distortion.

Answer: False

Explanation: Map projections inherently cause distortion when translating the Earth's three-dimensional surface onto a two-dimensional plane; cartographers choose projections to manage this distortion for specific purposes.

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Decluttering in cartography involves intentionally omitting or showing features less clearly to enhance map clarity.

Answer: True

Explanation: Decluttering is a cartographic technique used to improve map clarity by selectively omitting or de-emphasizing certain features, ensuring the primary subject matter is easily readable.

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Map symbols and colors are typically explained in a legend located on the map's margin or a characteristic sheet.

Answer: True

Explanation: Conventional signs, symbols, and colors used on a map are typically defined and explained in a legend, which is usually found on the map's margin or a separate characteristic sheet.

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Inset maps are primarily used to display historical changes in a region over time.

Answer: False

Explanation: Inset maps are primarily used to provide additional context or detail, such as showing the main map's global position or displaying 'regions of interest' at a larger scale, rather than historical changes.

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Map design elements include projection selection, generalization, symbology, composition, typography, and layout.

Answer: True

Explanation: Key elements in map design and production include the selection of projections, generalization, symbology, composition, typography, and overall layout, each with specific theories and best practices.

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Generalization in map design involves increasing the level of detail to ensure every feature is represented, regardless of scale.

Answer: False

Explanation: Generalization in map design is the process of *reducing* the level of detail in geographic information to suit the map's specific scale and purpose, as all maps are smaller than reality.

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Isolines on climatic maps connect points with equal values of a specific climatic feature, such as isotherms for temperature.

Answer: True

Explanation: Isolines are a cartographic convention used on climatic maps to connect points of equal value for a specific climatic feature, such as isotherms for temperature or isobars for pressure.

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What kind of information can contour lines on maps indicate?

Answer: Constant values of location-specific information, such as elevation, temperature, or rainfall.

Explanation: Contour lines on maps are used to represent constant values of various location-specific data, including elevation, temperature, or rainfall, providing a visual representation of continuous phenomena.

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What is the concept of 'scale' on a map?

Answer: A ratio indicating that one unit on the map corresponds to a certain number of the same units on the ground.

Explanation: Map scale is a ratio that expresses the relationship between a unit of measurement on the map and the corresponding number of the same units on the actual ground.

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What is the primary function of map projections?

Answer: To translate the three-dimensional, curved surface of the Earth onto a two-dimensional flat picture.

Explanation: The primary function of map projections is to transform the Earth's three-dimensional, curved surface into a two-dimensional flat representation, a process that inherently involves some form of distortion.

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What is the purpose of 'decluttering' in cartography?

Answer: To intentionally omit or show certain features less clearly to enhance map clarity.

Explanation: Decluttering in cartography serves to improve map clarity by strategically omitting or de-emphasizing less critical features, thereby making the primary information more prominent and readable.

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Where are the conventional signs or symbols used on a map typically explained?

Answer: On the map legend or a separately published characteristic sheet.

Explanation: Conventional signs and symbols used on a map are typically explained in a map legend, usually located on the map's margin, or in a separate characteristic sheet, to ensure proper interpretation.

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What is the primary purpose of inset maps?

Answer: To display the main map's position on a global scale or show 'regions of interest' at a larger scale.

Explanation: Inset maps primarily serve to provide additional context or detail, such as illustrating the main map's global location or presenting 'regions of interest' at a more magnified scale.

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Which of the following is NOT a key element involved in the design and production of maps?

Answer: Forecasting future climate changes.

Explanation: Key elements in map design and production include selecting projections, generalization, symbology, composition, typography, and layout. Forecasting future climate changes is not a direct element of map design.

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What are isolines on climatic maps used for?

Answer: To connect points that have equal values of a specific climatic feature.

Explanation: Isolines on climatic maps serve to connect points that share equal values of a particular climatic feature, such as isotherms for temperature or isohyets for precipitation.

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Types of Maps and Their Applications

Cartograms intentionally distort scale to visually reflect information other than physical geography, such as population.

Answer: True

Explanation: Cartograms are designed to distort geographic scale to emphasize non-spatial data, such as population density or economic indicators, rather than precise physical geography.

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Political maps primarily show natural geographical features like mountains and rivers.

Answer: False

Explanation: Political maps primarily display territorial borders and administrative regions, such as countries and cities, while physical maps show natural geographical features.

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Topographic maps use contour lines to show elevations and relief of the land surface.

Answer: True

Explanation: Topographic maps are specifically designed to illustrate elevations and the relief of the land surface, commonly employing contour lines to represent changes in altitude.

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Climatic maps depict the territorial distribution of climatic conditions based on short-term forecasts.

Answer: False

Explanation: Climatic maps represent the territorial distribution of climatic conditions based on *long-term observations*, not short-term forecasts.

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Extraterrestrial maps are a subcategory of geographical maps, specifically focusing on Earth's surface features.

Answer: False

Explanation: Extraterrestrial maps depict celestial bodies or cosmological features, distinguishing them from geographical maps, which specifically refer to Earth's surface.

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A topological map primarily displays precise geographic distances and accurate spatial relationships.

Answer: False

Explanation: A topological map is a diagram that emphasizes logical relationships, connectivity, and layout between items, rather than precise geographic distances or accurate spatial relationships.

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A bathymetry map of the ocean floor shows continental shelves and oceanic plateaus in blue, and abyssal plains in red.

Answer: False

Explanation: A bathymetry map of the ocean floor typically shows continental shelves and oceanic plateaus in red, mid-ocean ridges in yellow-green, and abyssal plains in shades of blue to purple, not the other way around.

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A geological map of the Moon depicts its surface and subsurface features.

Answer: True

Explanation: Similar to terrestrial geological maps, a geological map of the Moon illustrates its surface and subsurface features, providing insights into its composition and structure.

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A topological map showing inventory locations emphasizes the precise distances between locations.

Answer: False

Explanation: A topological map, such as one showing inventory locations, emphasizes the layout and connectivity between items, not the precise geographic distances.

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Which of the following is NOT listed as a widely used type of navigational map today?

Answer: Climatic maps

Explanation: While road maps, aeronautical charts, and nautical charts are widely used navigational maps, climatic maps are specialized maps depicting climatic conditions, not primarily for navigation.

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How do cartograms differ from standard maps?

Answer: Cartograms intentionally distort scale to visually reflect information other than physical geography.

Explanation: Cartograms are distinct from standard maps because they deliberately distort geographic scale to visually represent non-spatial data, such as population or economic statistics, rather than accurate physical dimensions.

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What is the primary distinction between 'political maps' and 'physical maps'?

Answer: Political maps display territorial borders and administrative regions, while physical maps show natural geographical features.

Explanation: Political maps delineate territorial boundaries and administrative divisions, whereas physical maps illustrate natural geographical features such as mountains, rivers, and landforms.

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What do topographic maps typically illustrate?

Answer: Elevations and relief of the land surface, often using contour lines.

Explanation: Topographic maps are specifically designed to depict the elevations and relief of the land surface, commonly utilizing contour lines to represent changes in altitude.

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What kind of data do climatic maps represent?

Answer: Territorial distribution of climatic conditions based on long-term observations.

Explanation: Climatic maps illustrate the territorial distribution of climatic conditions, drawing upon long-term observations of features such as temperature, precipitation, and humidity.

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How do 'extraterrestrial maps' differ from 'geographical maps'?

Answer: Extraterrestrial maps depict celestial bodies or cosmological features, while geographical maps refer specifically to the Earth.

Explanation: Extraterrestrial maps focus on celestial bodies or cosmological features, distinguishing them from geographical maps, which are specifically concerned with the Earth's surface.

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What defines a 'topological map'?

Answer: A diagram that displays logical relationships between items, where only connectivity and layout are significant.

Explanation: A topological map is characterized as a diagram that illustrates logical relationships between elements, with primary emphasis on connectivity and overall layout rather than precise geographic distances.

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What does a bathymetry map of the ocean floor illustrate?

Answer: Underwater geographical features like continental shelves, mid-ocean ridges, and abyssal plains.

Explanation: A bathymetry map of the ocean floor illustrates various underwater geographical features, including continental shelves, mid-ocean ridges, and abyssal plains, depicting the topography of the seabed.

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What is the subject of the geological map of the Moon mentioned in the source?

Answer: The surface and subsurface features of Earth's natural satellite.

Explanation: The geological map of the Moon focuses on depicting the surface and subsurface features of Earth's natural satellite, providing detailed geological information.

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Notable Historical and Contemporary Maps

The London Underground map prioritizes precise geographic accuracy over clarity and legibility.

Answer: False

Explanation: The London Underground map is a classic example of a topological map, where clarity and legibility of routes are prioritized over precise geographic accuracy, with intentional distortion of scale.

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The Great Polish Map of Scotland is a two-dimensional map inspired by an outdoor map of England.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Great Polish Map of Scotland is a 70-ton, permanent *three-dimensional* relief map, inspired by an outdoor map of the *Netherlands*, not England.

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The Challenger Relief Map of British Columbia was cited by the Guinness Book of Records as the largest of its kind in the world.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Challenger Relief Map of British Columbia was indeed recognized by the Guinness Book of Records as the largest hand-built topographic map of its kind globally.

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The Relief map of Guatemala was created in 1905 with a horizontal scale of 1:1,000 and a vertical scale of 1:500.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Relief map of Guatemala, created in 1905, has a horizontal scale of 1:10,000 and a vertical scale of 1:2,000, not 1:1,000 and 1:500.

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The *Tabula Rogeriana* is an early world map created by Muhammad al-Idrisi, notable for its north-at-the-bottom orientation.

Answer: True

Explanation: The *Tabula Rogeriana*, an advanced early world map by Muhammad al-Idrisi (1154), is indeed distinctive for its orientation with north placed at the bottom.

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The *Hereford Mappa Mundi* is a 17th-century map with London at its center and west at the top.

Answer: False

Explanation: The *Hereford Mappa Mundi* dates from approximately 1300, not the 17th century, and is characterized by Jerusalem at its center and east at the top, not London and west.

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A cartogram of the EU from 2008 shows population distributions while maintaining the continent's rough shape.

Answer: True

Explanation: The 2008 EU cartogram effectively illustrates population distributions through intentional distortion of scale, while still preserving the continent's general shape for recognition.

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What is notable about the *Tabula Rogeriana*?

Answer: It is one of the most advanced early world maps, oriented with north at the bottom.

Explanation: The *Tabula Rogeriana* is a significant early world map, created by Muhammad al-Idrisi in 1154, and is particularly notable for its unconventional orientation with north at the bottom.

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What is the *Hereford Mappa Mundi* characterized by?

Answer: Being a classic 'T-O' map with Jerusalem at its center and east at the top.

Explanation: The *Hereford Mappa Mundi* is a classic 'T-O' map from approximately 1300, distinguished by its placement of Jerusalem at the center and its orientation with east at the top.

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What is the 'Great Polish Map of Scotland'?

Answer: A 70-ton, permanent three-dimensional relief map of Scotland.

Explanation: The 'Great Polish Map of Scotland' is a substantial 70-ton, permanent three-dimensional relief map, meticulously depicting the country's coastline and terrain.

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What was the 'Challenger Relief Map of British Columbia' cited for by the Guinness Book of Records?

Answer: Being the largest hand-built topographic map of its kind in the world.

Explanation: The 'Challenger Relief Map of British Columbia' earned recognition from the Guinness Book of Records as the largest hand-built topographic map of its kind globally.

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What was the primary purpose of the Relief map of Guatemala, created by Francisco Vela in 1905?

Answer: To educate children about the landscape of their country.

Explanation: The Relief map of Guatemala, constructed in 1905, was specifically designed with the primary purpose of educating children about their country's diverse landscape.

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