Question

review questions

1. how was tom basss short map an application of gis principles?
2. explain why a map is simply a model of part of the earths surface.
3. discuss the differences between large - scale and small - scale maps.
4. how are map grid lines like landmarks? how are they different?
5. which grid lines on a standard map are the vertical lines? which are the horizontal lines?
6. before modern navigation methods, such as gps, how did sailors find their longitude?
7. list three features on a standard map that help you use it better.
8. why is a map projection needed?
9. what are the advantages of plane, cylindrical, and conic projection surfaces in cartography?
10. what kind of projection would show the continent of antarctica with the least amount of distortion?
11. what are three types of standard maps? which would likely show glaciers and lakes?
12. why are thematic maps useful?
13. name the three main parts of a geographic information system (gis).
14. give an example of an earth feature that could be represented by each of the gis data types.
15. what is the most efficient way to collect gis data over large areas?

Explanation:

1. A map is a model of part of the Earth's surface as it represents real - world features in a simplified way.
2. Large - scale maps show a smaller area in more detail; small - scale maps show a larger area with less detail.
3. Maps represent real - world features like landmarks through symbols.
4. On a standard map, the vertical lines are the lines of longitude.
5. Before GPS, sailors used celestial navigation (observing stars, sun, moon) to find latitude.
6. Features on a standard map like scale, legend, and compass rose help in using it better.
7. Map projection is needed to represent the curved surface of the Earth on a flat map.
8. Plane projections are good for small areas, cylindrical projections preserve shapes well for mid - latitudes, and conic projections are useful for regions with an east - west extent.
9. A polar projection would show Antarctica with the least distortion as it is centered around the poles.
10. Three types of standard maps are political, physical, and topographic. Physical maps would likely show glaciers and lakes.
11. Thematic maps are useful as they focus on a specific theme like population, climate, etc.
12. The three main parts of a GIS are data input, data storage and management, and data output and analysis.
13. For example, a river could be represented as a line in vector GIS data; a forest area could be represented as a polygon.
14. Remote sensing (using satellites or aircraft) is an efficient way to collect GIS data over large areas.

Answer:

1. A map is a simplified model of part of the Earth's surface.
2. Large - scale maps show less area in more detail; small - scale maps show more area in less detail.
3. Maps represent real - world features like landmarks using symbols.
4. The vertical lines on a standard map are lines of longitude.
5. Before GPS, sailors used celestial navigation to find latitude.
6. Scale, legend, and compass rose are features on a standard map that help in using it better.
7. Map projection is needed to represent the curved Earth on a flat surface.
8. Plane projections are good for small areas, cylindrical for mid - latitudes, and conic for east - west regions.
9. A polar projection would show Antarctica with least distortion.
10. Political, physical, and topographic are three types of standard maps. Physical maps would show glaciers and lakes.
11. Thematic maps focus on a specific theme, so they are useful.
12. Data input, data storage and management, data output and analysis are the main parts of a GIS.
13. A river (line) and a forest (polygon) are examples of Earth features for GIS data types.
14. Remote sensing is the most efficient way to collect GIS data over large areas.