Geog 310 Blog

Final Map Project

2008-12-09T12:51:00.006-05:00

Here is my final map project for Introduction to Digital Cartography (Geography 310). For my final project I chose to map the total amount of waster diversion as it relates to the amount of plastics recycled in Maryland's 24 counties. Surprisingly enough there was no direct relationship between the two data sets. Although some counties, such as Garrett County, had a high rate of waste diversion (52.13%)the total amount of recycled plastics was drastically smaller in size. This is most likely due to the large agricultural value of Garrett County which weighs a heavy load in compost recycling to increase its total waste diversion rate. However there were counties such as Montgomery and Anne Arundel whose total waste diversion rate was representative of the amount of recycled plastics.

For more information:
Maryland Waste Diversion Activities Report 2007
Maryland Department of the Environment
Recycling Centers
College Recycling Programs Fluctuate
Fun Recycling Facts
Our Earth

Lab #10 Bivariate Map

2008-11-22T14:34:00.003-05:00

This map did prove harder to make then I originally thought in would be.

Lab #9: Color Choropleth Map

2008-11-11T17:57:00.005-05:00

My printed map looks very different from the visual map shown on the computer screen. The printed version is slightly darker in color giving each hue a little bit more weight or value. Some of the colors that appear to be very distinct (i.e. the difference between class 5, 31-32%, and class 4, 25-28%) on the computer screen appear to much closer in hue on the printed version. This could make a map easy to read on the computer but much harder to read or understand the phenomena presented on a printed version of the same map. The online version also makes the last class appear as though it has a slightly higher intensity than the rest of the classes but on the printed copy looks to be the same intensity or chroma.

Lab #8 Graduated Proportions

2008-10-30T14:48:00.003-04:00

So far this has been the most enjoyable map to make as it was easier to add theme oriented graphics. Hope you enjoy cattle!!

Lab #7 Choropleth Maps

2008-10-28T18:05:00.005-04:00

Above are my two Choropleth maps. The bottom map demonstrates the use of natural breaks as means for constructing a class interval while the top demonstrates equal interval class structure. Similarities exist between both maps because they are both expressing the same data set classified in two separate ways. They both exhibit trends that appear to disperse food stamps predominantly across the southern half of the United States. However, the choropleth map classified using natural breaks shows a concentrated ranges between states in the later three classes as the majority of the states have been classified into the two lower classes between 14 and 21%. The choropleth map that has data classified due to equal interval exhibits the same southern trend as the first map but includes more states in higher classes. While the equal interval map may appear to be slightly more aesthetically appealing because of its equal nature of class dispersion it doesn't accurately represent the data. The natural breaks choropleth demonstrates little variety between the states but is an accurate representation of the amount of food stamps that are dispersed across the nation as they are awarded by personal need and not geographic location.

Lab #6 West Virginia Dot Map

2008-10-21T19:06:00.002-04:00

For my dot map I choose to use the data set concerning the amount of houses built 1939 or earlier. I tried to use colors to that the dots would be easier for the eyes to locate.

Dot Density map

2008-10-20T15:49:00.002-04:00

Dot Density Map of Child Mortality. (each dot represents 5000 deaths)An interesting, though sad dot density map that I came across. I think that it is a good map because it grabs the audience's attention with the dramatic background which adds a topographic effect if viewed from afar.

Lab #5 Boundary Maps

2008-10-07T13:46:00.007-04:00

Here is my creation of the Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. boundary map. I have labeled the three territories and added a gradient fill as a neatline.

Good Typography

2008-09-30T17:35:00.002-04:00

Though a relatively simple map showing only Maryland's 24 counties and major water resources, it uses good typography. The difference in font color and size make it easy for the viewer to discern the county labels from the water body labels. All of the county labels are fit within their boundaries reading horizontally on a straight line with few exceptions. These exceptions were only made in efforts to keep the county labels on land and within their boundaries so they were not to extend into the water. All of the water body labels were properly italicized, while all of the rivers are labeled along their path. The water reservoirs were labeled with the best possible type placement due to it being a small scale map which doesn't allow the reservoirs to be labeled within the body of water.

Lab #4: Typography

2008-09-30T13:04:00.004-04:00

For this lab we were given a printed copy of Harpers Ferry National Park. We were then provided with a computer copy of the map without any labels. The point of this lab was to label the blank map as close as possible to resemble to printed copy of Harpers Ferry National Park. You be the judge, how close is it?

Becca

Lab #3: Mollweide Graticule

2008-09-18T13:03:00.004-04:00

For the third lab we were instructed to make a replica of the Mollweide Graticule whose equator is to be exactly 10 inches long and the prime meridian 5 inches high (on the printed version of course). This projection is made using a series of ellipses to create the rounded meridians and straight lines for latitude markers. I included two scales, one is a ratio of the equator and the second a drawn scale to show the relationship between inches and miles.

Interesting Map Projection

2008-09-17T15:18:00.002-04:00

Here's an interesting map projection. It kinda resembles a doughnut. However, it looks like Greenland was sucked into a black hole at the top where the doughnut hole is.

2008-09-16T19:18:00.001-04:00

Not a traditional map but slightly humorous.

Lab #2

2008-09-16T09:34:00.002-04:00

Here's my sphere, ellipsoid, geoid, and natural surface drawn on Adobe Illustrator for Lab Assignment #2

View My Links!

2008-09-04T11:24:00.003-04:00

While the first two links posted; our class’ Geography 310 blog spot and our school’s Geography Department; were required links to post, the later three were of my personal choice. Google Earth was my first choice because the new GIS programs and software used to create a mapping program such as Google Earth is amazing. These types of GIS advancements are leading the way to new technologies and give the opportunity to the public to open up more cartography related jobs in the future. My second choce being the National Geographic website is because of the relevance in which National Geographic is able to relate a significance between maps and the world as we know it today. My third link takes you to the United States Geological Survey website where maps are most closely correlated with up-to-date information on natural phenomena occurring across the globe. The USGS Department is also a good place to search for government jobs including entry level positions.

First post

2008-09-03T14:29:00.001-04:00

Just thought it would be useful to try this out and make sure I can post for the class.