Lab Assignment #3: Neogeography

View Experiencing the Most Sustainable City in the U.S.: Portland, Oregon in a larger map

            As I was exploring google maps and all of the resources at my disposal I realized the power that neogeography has to both improve and destroy the legitimacy and use of maps. One of the major pitfalls of neogeography is misinformation. Usually when a person examines a map, the most difficult tasks are to find out where you are and where you need to go. However, if neogeography takes over and inexperienced mapmakers show incorrect information on their maps, unintentionally or not, then people will have to think critically about whether maps are trustworthy and reliable. Furthermore, within neogeography there is no requirements, standards, or guidelines that must be followed when creating a map. This makes neogeographical maps widely inconsistent and much more difficult to read and interpret.

            In spite of these flaws in the neogeography trend, it seems as though neogeography will revolutionize and advance the way we think about space and locations. Personalized maps created through google maps and other websites allow the public to view a location through the eyes of another person and opens up a new world of experiences. Formerly maps were meant to be object, clear, and for very limited purpose; neogeography has brought mapping into a subjective realm, where learn more about a location beyond just the physical elements. GIS is considered a branch of neogeography due to the combined use of cartography with population data. This program has been a major improvement to mapping since it shows the relationship between location and population characteristics.

            The consequences of neogeography are going to be a combination of benefits and disadvantages. However, the flaws can be minimized by regulation of certain maps that contain essential information and the banning of misinformation of these specific maps. The benefits will continue to increase as new mapping tools and purposes are discovered, especially for GIS.

Lab Assignment #2: Learning How to use Topographic Maps

1. What is the name of the quadrangle?

            Beverly Hills Quadrangle

2. What are the names of the adjacent quadrangles?

            Canoga Park, Van Nuys, Burbank, Topanga, Hollywood, Venice, Inglewood

3. When was the quadrangle first created?

Topography compiled in 1966, planimetery derived from imagery taken in 1978, boundaries, other than corporate, verified in 1998

4. What datum was used to create your map?

            North American Datum of 1927, later updated in 1983

5. What is the scale of the map?

            Ratio 1:24,000

6. At the above scale, answer the following:

a) Five centimeters on the map is equivalent to how many meters on the ground?

            1200 meters

b) Five inches on the map is equivalent to how many miles on the ground?

            1.89 miles

c) One mile on the ground is equivalent to how many inches on the map?

            2.64 inches

d) Three kilometers on the ground is equivalent to how many centimeters on the map?

                        12.5 centimeters

7. What is the contour interval on your map?

            20 feet

8. What are the approximate geographic coordinates for:

a) The Public Affairs Building

            Degrees/Minutes/Seconds: N 34° 04’ 26’’ / W 118° 26’ 23’’

            Decimal Degrees: 34.0739 N, 118.4397 W

b) The tip of Santa Monica pier

            Degrees/Minutes/Seconds: N 34° 00’ 33’’ / W 118° 30’ 04’’

Decimal Degrees: 34.0092 N, 118.5011 W

c) The Upper Franklin Canyon Reservoir

            Degrees/Minutes/Seconds: N 34° 07’ 15’’ / W 118° 24’ 40’’

            Decimal Degrees: 34.1208 N, 118.4111 W

9. What is the approximate elevation in both feet and meters of:

a) Greystone Mansion (in Greystone Park)

600 feet = 182.88 meters

b) Woodlawn Cemetery

140 feet = 42.67 meters

c) Crestwood Hills Park

640 feet = 195.07 meters

10. What is the UTM zone of the map?

            Zone 11

11. What are the UTM coordinates for the lower left corner of your map?

            3763000 N, 361500 E

12. How many square meters are contained within each cell (square) of the UTM gridlines?

            Each square is 1 km x 1 km = 10⁶ square kilometers

13. Obtain elevation measurements, from west to east along the UTM northing 3771000, where the eastings of the UTM grid intersect the northing. Create an elevation profile using these measurements in Excel.

14. What is the magnetic declination of the map?

            The magnetic delineation is 14°

15. In which direction does water flow in the intermittent stream between the 405 freeway and Stone Canyon Reservoir?

            The water flows north to south.

16. Crop out UCLA from the map.

Lab Assignment #1: Interesting Maps

Map: Stars/Constellations

Citation:
Harrison, Ellie. "Star Map." Day to Day Data (2008). Web: 1 Oct 2010. <http://www.daytodaydata.com/onearthasinheaven/starmap.html>

Description:

This is a map of several constellations with names that are connected to folktales. It can easily be assumed that this is a map of stars and other celestial bodies because of the use of star icons and the black and white color scheme. The legend shows the significance of the different sizes of star icons.

Why Its Interesting:

The visual image of the earth and continents could be considered general knowledge. The surface of the earth has been explored extensively and there are very few places left on the globe to be discovered. However, the universe beyond earth is still waiting to be explored and mapped. The more we learn about the universe, the more we learn about our planet and ourselves.

Map: Disneyland Theme Park

Citation:

"Maps: Disneyland Resort." Disney (2010). Web: 1 Oct 2010. <http://disneyland.disney.go.com/maps>.

Description:

This is a map of the Disneyland Theme Park in Anaheim, California. The map is not spatially correct because several of the landmarks are larger than they are in reality in order to emphasize the attraction. The map is extremely colorful and is illustrated with cartoon-like depictions in order to appeal to children. There are eight main areas of the park representing different themes that are clearly labeled.  There are a variety of symbols shown across the map representing where to find a restroom, payphone, food, atm's, and other important facilities

Why Its Interesting:

This map is interesting because it is dominated by images of rides and attractions but there are no visible road or street signs. Also the theme park is a circular shape with irregular paths, unlike the grid system which has become common in modern cities. This organic pathway system encourages rambling and exploring rather than efficiency and speed. This layout is appropriate for an amusement park, but may not work well for a city or town.

Map: London Tube

Citation:

"Tube Maps." Transport for London (2010). Web: 1 Oct 2010. <http://www.tfl.gov.uk/gettingaround/14091.aspx>.

Description:

This map shows the subway system in London. The most prominent features of this map are the intercrossing subway lines, the nine zones, and the River Thames. Each subway line has a distinctive color with labels denoting the names of the major stations along its path. The map is not spatially accurate, but this allows easier navigation for transferring between lines.

Why Its Interesting:

Because I don’t have a car or a driver's license, I think of a city in terms of its public transportation. The level of connectivity of subway lines can reveal the efficacy of a city’s public transit system. It is apparent where the major city centers are by locating where several tube lines connect. This map clearly demonstrates London's incredibly effective, user-friendly transportation system.