Maps

• Atlas map

• Base map

• Sketch map

- main features/ simplistic view of the sample site

- Shows your interpretation of the site

- Based on observation and personal perspective so may be biased 

- May be hard to interpret if the person isnt a good drawer

- May lack detail

- Only shows one view point at one time

• Annotated maps

• Allows you to find places on a large map, even with a huge scale by using grid references
• Four figured grid references direct you to a 1kmX1km square on the map 
• Six figured grid references are more precise and can direct you to the precise spot (100mX100m)
• Every map has a scale so you can work out the distance between points
• Altitude is shown by using a type of isoline called contor lines. The closer the contor lines the steeper the gradient, sometimes the altitude of specific spot heights is also given. 

• Use different symbols of different size to represent different quantities 
• A key shows the quanitity each symbol represents (the larger the symbol the larger the amount)
• The symbols may be circles, squares, semi-circles or bars 

ADVANTAGES

• Easy to compare areas on a map 
• Easy to compare the symbol size from different times

DISADVANTAGES

• The symbols dont give accurate readings of the data collected
• If there are many readings in one area the map will have alot of symbols leading to confusion as some may overlap- innacurate readings
• Concels the map underneath so accurate location of the symbols data collection point is impossible

• To illustrate movement
• Arrows from one place to another
• Proportional symbol map as the size of the arrows show how many people are moving (the width of the arrow indicates flow rate and direction)

AVANTAGES

• Show migration on a map 
• Allow comparisons between countries/ areas 
• Allow the visualisation of things that are moving

DISADVANTAGES

• The arrows conceal the map and therefore accurate location of the arrows is imposible
• The arrows represent data but dont give an accurate reading
• Can be hard to draw

• Shows how something varies between different areas using colours of patterns

ADVANTAGES

• Straightforwad and easy to identify patterns/ clusters
• Easy to see where an are lacks data

DISADVANTAGES

• Assumes abrupt changes at boundaires - no gradient shown
• Can hide anomalies in an area
• Shows one variable only
• Easy to make a mistake as the colours and patterns are similar

• Use identical dots to show how something is distributed across an area
• Use the key to find out what quantity each dot represents
• population of a city/region/country

ADVANTAGES

• Anomalies shown if there is alot of data sets
• Clustering and patterns identifiable

DISADVANTAGES

• Large amounts of data may lead to overcrowding
• Areas may seem empty if the data is lower than the scale
• Large dot values may be inaccurate
• Obscure the map 

• Isolines are lines on a map linking up all the places where something's the same 
• On weather maps isobars show you where the same pressure is
• Weather maps show the weather presently or in the furture for weather forcasting 
• A cold front is represented by blue triangles
• A warm front is represented by red cemi-circles
• An occluded front is shown by alternating blue triangles and red semi-circles

ADVANTAGES

• Shows gradual changes- avoids abrupt changes
• Can see clearly the boundaries
• Can see areas of equal value

DISADVANTAGES

• If the place is between the isolines you have to estimate the value
• Assumes a gradual change exsits
• Small numbers/ units may be hard to read
• Only works with a large quantity of data

• Shows types of building and whats around them
• Shows land usage
• Shows density
• Work out the type of area it is (car parks + shops = CBD)
• Can be used when working out a suitable sample area