Data Type:    Shapefile Feature Class
Shapefile:    G:\GIS\Week 7\Census2K\SHPFiles\LatLon83\Counties.shp
Geometry Type:    Polygon

Geographic Coordinate System:    GCS_North_American_1983
Datum:     D_North_American_1983
Prime Meridian:     Greenwich
Angular Unit:     Degree


Working with the shape files and Arc GIS showed me how intricate the making of maps is and how the information can be rearranged to appear a certain way. You can make the map appear as if a small percentage of each race of people is living in each county, or appear that there is a high percentage. The information is readily available to be manipulated while making a map. It gives you a lot of freedom with the aesthetic properties of the map. You can change the colors, the class intervals and so on.

Raster Maps

      These maps are a part of the North American 1983 Datum. Each map represents the same location, which is a part of the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California. These are raster maps with 2395 columns and 1276 rows.The extent information is as follows:
   Top: 36.8761111104
   Bottom: 36.5216666659
   Left: -118.39638889
   Right:  -117.731111112

Map Projections

        The measurements from Washington D.C. and Kabul are measured in geodesic miles.

        Using these map projections made it clear that every map is going to have its own personality. Each map will have its own purpose and creator, leading to a very individualized map. The projections show how even the slightest change can bring about a miscalculation of almost anything on the earth's surface. An approximate answer is the only guarantee when measuring large areas of the earth's surface.

        Working with the different projections was very fun and interesting and it shows how powerful a map can be if using it for educational purposes. Each projection, even if the same time of map projection, will show a different version of the earth. It can be conformed and molded to better show the ideas and theories at hand. Each map will help others visualize what is being said and the information will be complimented differently with every projection.

      Seeing how every type of measurement (planar, geodesic and so on) was different proved that almost all information must be taken with a grain of salt. Everything must be taken as an approximation. All maps will carry some kind of rounded number, some kind of statistic and it is important to teach people this fact while showing them maps. All of the data can not be taken as truth, but merely as a tool to help us connect ideas and to understand these truths.

      The distance from Washington D.C and Kabul seems only significant if we can compare it against something we already know, something concrete and in our memory. For instance, measuring the distance from a location someone recently visited and their home then comparing that to the distance from Washington D.C. and Kabul would suddenly gain more importance. For we would understand the relationship. Just having the number, be it in miles or decimal degrees, does nothing for the human psyche. That is exactly what map making seems to all be about....not relaying information that might or might not be true; but connecting ideas to help better understand the relationship between things that were once seen as separate. This assignment proves that it is not the exact information that is important, but the ability to understand concepts and think outside of the box.

NeoGeography

View Mediterranean Climates in a larger map

This map shows the parts of the world that are dominated by a Mediterranean climate. These areas are associated with subtropical high pressure systems. Seeing different locations with the same climate can show similarities in the agriculture. And when studying agriculture, the linkages between different parts of the world become clearer and more understandable. It is important to know that climate is one of the dominating factors effecting agriculture and Mediterranean climates have distinct natural vegetation. Because agriculture is an important part of culture, it is possible to find many similarities within these locations in regards to traditions, food, and many other aspects of culture. It is also interesting to see the fact that locations with the same climate could be completely different from one another, different traditions, different languages, different clothing, etc. Of course climate only effects humans to a certain point, and thereafter it is up to us to determine the aspects of our own cultures. 

Neogeography allows people in all walks of life to collaborate their ideas and create a visual projection of their theories. By allowing non-professionals to make their own maps with a system like Google Maps, the creators are allowing a rapid spread of ideas. Not every map needs to be for educational purposes, but merely to share information in an aesthetically pleasing way that allows people to better understand the subject at hand and understand connections that would otherwise be unthought of. 

Although the possibilities are endless and an application like Google Maps can allow users to experience cartography and master the art of geographic relationships and interconnectivity, it is very easy for some viewers to see the maps without understanding the possibility that they are in fact not scientifically correct, or even reality based. When maps are created by individuals uneducated about certain aspects that correlate to the map at hand, there will of course be missing facts and/or skewed information. However, some maps are not meant to be all knowing and all correct, but to relay an idea. So each viewer should understand that there will always be a bias and an intention with each map and it is important to know who created it and why. Maps that are not understood to be biased could cause serious problems if used to educate others that consider the factual and correct. It is important to teach the aspects of neogeography and biases when looking at any map, to show the ones who are being taught that maps are versatile and dynamic, always changing and always opinionated. 

GIS Introduction

The ArcMap Tutorial was an interesting experience as each step is plotted out for you. It was very tedious but it helped me to gain an understanding of the program. It is very interesting to see how maps are made in that most of it is based off of information and data that has been gathered and as a map maker, the duty is to present the information in an aesthetically pleasing way that also helps to lay down the ideas better by showing the visual connections of said data. 

I found it very interesting to see the different layers involved in making a map. To be able to turn certain layers on and off proves the dynamic nature of map making and proves that each map can be changed to reveal a different concept. Each layer gives the map a new meaning and a new focus.

The potential of this program is extensive as it can create in-depth and versatile maps for any kind of data set. The maps can be changed and modified, aesthetically and fundamentally in the event that the data sets or points have changed. It gives users the ability to make many different kinds of maps for the same data, in that each map can be changed to relay a certain type of information or even just to present a different look.

The pitfalls however, are just like any map making program or map in general. Maps are biased and relay information in the hopes of conveying a very certain message. All maps are created by an individuals with opinions and stand points, there for maps, just like a work of art, will carry with them aspects of the creator. Since all individuals are different, most maps will be different, even if the data is the same.