Difference between revisions of "Map"
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==Origin== | ==Origin== | ||
| − | Medieval Latin ''mappa'', from [[Latin]], napkin, towel. Post-classical Latin ''mappa'' is attested from the late 4th cent. as a term used by [[land]] [ | + | Medieval Latin ''mappa'', from [[Latin]], napkin, towel. Post-classical Latin ''mappa'' is attested from the late 4th cent. as a term used by [[land]] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surveyor_%28surveying%29 surveyors], though its exact [[interpretation]] is not clear. (The usual word for a surveyor's map in classical Latin and post-classical Latin is ''forma'' .) The [[transition]] in sense from ‘cloth’ to ‘map’ is probably due to the [[fact]] that early maps were sometimes drawn on cloth. |
| − | *[ | + | *[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/16th_century 1527] |
==Definitions== | ==Definitions== | ||
*1a : a [[representation]] usually on a flat [[surface]] of the whole or a part of an area | *1a : a [[representation]] usually on a flat [[surface]] of the whole or a part of an area | ||
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A '''map''' is a visual [[representation]] of an area—a [[symbolic]] depiction highlighting [[relationships]] between elements of that [[space]] such as objects, regions, and themes. | A '''map''' is a visual [[representation]] of an area—a [[symbolic]] depiction highlighting [[relationships]] between elements of that [[space]] such as objects, regions, and themes. | ||
| − | Many maps are static two-dimensional, geometrically accurate (or approximately accurate) representations of three-dimensional [[space]], while others are [[dynamic]] or interactive, even three-dimensional. Although most commonly used to depict [[geography]], maps may [[represent]] any [[space]], real or imagined, without regard to [[context]] or [[scale]]; e.g. [ | + | Many maps are static two-dimensional, geometrically accurate (or approximately accurate) representations of three-dimensional [[space]], while others are [[dynamic]] or interactive, even three-dimensional. Although most commonly used to depict [[geography]], maps may [[represent]] any [[space]], real or imagined, without regard to [[context]] or [[scale]]; e.g. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brain_mapping brain mapping], [[DNA]] mapping, and [[extraterrestrial]] mapping. |
| − | Maps of the world or large areas are often either '[[political]]' or '[[physical]]'. The most important [[purpose]] of the political map is to show territorial borders; the [[purpose]] of the physical is to show features of [[geography]] such as [[mountains]], soil type or land use including infrastruction such as roads, railroads and buildings. Topographic maps show elevations and [[relief]] with [ | + | Maps of the world or large areas are often either '[[political]]' or '[[physical]]'. The most important [[purpose]] of the political map is to show territorial borders; the [[purpose]] of the physical is to show features of [[geography]] such as [[mountains]], soil type or land use including infrastruction such as roads, railroads and buildings. Topographic maps show elevations and [[relief]] with [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contour_line contour lines] or shading. [[Geological]] maps show not only the [[physical]] [[surface]], but characteristics of the underlying rock, fault lines, and subsurface [[structures]]. |
| − | Maps that depict the [[surface]] of the [[Earth]] also use a [ | + | Maps that depict the [[surface]] of the [[Earth]] also use a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Map_projection projection], a way of [[translating]] the three-dimensional real surface of the geoid to a two-dimensional [[picture]]. Perhaps the best-known world-map projection is the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercator_projection Mercator projection], originally designed as a form of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nautical_chart nautical chart]. |
| − | Aeroplane pilots use aeronautical charts based on a [ | + | Aeroplane pilots use aeronautical charts based on a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lambert_conformal_conic_projection Lambert conformal conic projection], in which a cone is laid over the section of the [[earth]] to be mapped. The cone intersects the [[sphere]] (the earth) at one or two [[parallels]] which are chosen as standard lines. This allows the pilots to plot a great-circle route approximation on a flat, two-dimensional chart. |
| − | *[ | + | *[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Map_projection#Azimuthal_.28projections_onto_a_plane.29 Azimuthal] or [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnomonic_projection Gnomonic] map projections are often used in planning air routes due to their [[ability]] to [[represent]] [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_circle great circles] as straight lines. |
| − | *Richard Edes Harrison produced a striking series of maps during and after [[World War II]] for [ | + | *Richard Edes Harrison produced a striking series of maps during and after [[World War II]] for [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fortune_(magazine) Fortune magazine]. These used "bird's eye" projections to emphasize globally strategic "fronts" in the air age, pointing out proximities and barriers not apparent on a conventional rectangular projection of the world. |
| − | Maps exist of the [[solar system]], and other [[cosmological]] features such as [ | + | Maps exist of the [[solar system]], and other [[cosmological]] features such as [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_map star maps]. In addition maps of other bodies such as the [[Moon]] and other [[planets]] are technically not geological maps.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Map] |
[[Category: Earth Science]] | [[Category: Earth Science]] | ||
Latest revision as of 01:20, 13 December 2020
Origin
Medieval Latin mappa, from Latin, napkin, towel. Post-classical Latin mappa is attested from the late 4th cent. as a term used by land surveyors, though its exact interpretation is not clear. (The usual word for a surveyor's map in classical Latin and post-classical Latin is forma .) The transition in sense from ‘cloth’ to ‘map’ is probably due to the fact that early maps were sometimes drawn on cloth.
Definitions
- 1a : a representation usually on a flat surface of the whole or a part of an area
- 2: something that represents with a clarity suggestive of a map <the Freudian map of the mind — Harold Bloom>
- 3: the arrangement of genes on a chromosome —called also genetic map
Description
A map is a visual representation of an area—a symbolic depiction highlighting relationships between elements of that space such as objects, regions, and themes.
Many maps are static two-dimensional, geometrically accurate (or approximately accurate) representations of three-dimensional space, while others are dynamic or interactive, even three-dimensional. Although most commonly used to depict geography, maps may represent any space, real or imagined, without regard to context or scale; e.g. brain mapping, DNA mapping, and extraterrestrial mapping.
Maps of the world or large areas are often either 'political' or 'physical'. The most important purpose of the political map is to show territorial borders; the purpose of the physical is to show features of geography such as mountains, soil type or land use including infrastruction such as roads, railroads and buildings. Topographic maps show elevations and relief with contour lines or shading. Geological maps show not only the physical surface, but characteristics of the underlying rock, fault lines, and subsurface structures.
Maps that depict the surface of the Earth also use a projection, a way of translating the three-dimensional real surface of the geoid to a two-dimensional picture. Perhaps the best-known world-map projection is the Mercator projection, originally designed as a form of nautical chart.
Aeroplane pilots use aeronautical charts based on a Lambert conformal conic projection, in which a cone is laid over the section of the earth to be mapped. The cone intersects the sphere (the earth) at one or two parallels which are chosen as standard lines. This allows the pilots to plot a great-circle route approximation on a flat, two-dimensional chart.
- Azimuthal or Gnomonic map projections are often used in planning air routes due to their ability to represent great circles as straight lines.
- Richard Edes Harrison produced a striking series of maps during and after World War II for Fortune magazine. These used "bird's eye" projections to emphasize globally strategic "fronts" in the air age, pointing out proximities and barriers not apparent on a conventional rectangular projection of the world.
Maps exist of the solar system, and other cosmological features such as star maps. In addition maps of other bodies such as the Moon and other planets are technically not geological maps.[1]
