Lines of Latitude and Longitude

Today in class, we discussed the two reasons for maps and locations. The questions are Where are the people and activities found on Earth? and Why are they found there? Next we discussed maps. A map is a two-dimensional or flat- scale model of Earths surface. The two main things about maps are absolute and relative locations. Absolute location is the position as expressed in degrees, minutes, seconds of lines of latitude and longitude. A minute is 1/360 of a map divided by 60. A second is a minute divided by another 60. Relative location is the regional position or situation of a place relative to the position of other places. This reminded me of situation. Situation is used to compare similar locations as a helpful guide for better sense of directions. Next parts of a map is longitude and latitude lines. Longitude lines run North to South, 90 degrees either above or below the Equator. Latitude lines run East to West, 90 degrees either left or right of the Prime Meridian. That is what lines of latitude and longitude are.

What is Situation

Today in class we discussed what situation is by geographers. Situation is another thing that geographers use to describe where things are. Situation is when people us familiar things to compare with an unfamiliar location. Comparing things like familiar landmarks, buildings, and streets help direct people to a location they are not familiar with. An example of this would be describing where Bel Air is to an outsider. To describe Bel Air it is easy for somebody to say that it is in the Northern part of Maryland, a few miles from the Pennsylvania line, and it is near Baltimore. This is a better description because using a common or well known city or direction helps give outsiders a familiar place to compare with Bel Air. The familiar locations are places that are highly populated and recognizable from having desirable characteristics. An example of this would be that Baltimore has useful and popular waterways such as the Chesapeake Bay and the seafood that comes from it. This is how situation can help geographers find locations.

All About Site

Today in class, we learned about what site is. A site is used for geographers to describe where things are. The site of a location is the physical characteristics of a plane. Examples of sites are climate, water sources, topography, soil, vegetation, latitude, and elevation. These are the characteristics that make every location different. Some locations that are on the same latitude may share similar characteristics, not all will be the same. An interesting fact is that humans are able to change and modify the traits of a site. An example of this would be in Manhattan, New York, they added soil and land to make one of their islands larger. It has since grown to around twice its original size. I would be worried to live or be on that simply because it was man made rather than naturally there. I would be nervous that it isn't stable or safe. I don't think creating and forming new land is a good idea though because it is polluting the ocean and could really destroy it over time by adding trash under the soil and making fish relocate.

Central America, North America, and South America Maps

First Test Review

Today we went over our first test. I am happy with my score and I am glad I studied as much as I did. Going over the test was very helpful for me to understand and figure out the corrections to some of my responses and ways I could improve them. I felt quite confident about this test because I studied lots and thoroughly went through each question. I also felt I was able to manage my time well on this test. This test should be very useful study tool when it comes to our future exams. My favorite part of today was being able to share our responses for the last written response with the class. I enjoyed hearing others points of views on whether Socrates was guilty of his crimes or not because I was able to hear opinions from both sides. Some responses were very detailed and made me think more about my own stance. Hearing other responses helped me figure out how to improve my own and strengthen my own.

Mercator Vs Peters Projection Map

In class today we began with researching the difference between Mercator Maps and Peters Projection Maps. Here are some of my findings for Mercator Maps;

• Mercator maps are preferred by many sailors because it shows constant compass direction which helps prevent navigational error when sailing
• The distance in between each longitude and latitude lines are all constant and the same distance apart
• Since the lines of latitude and longitude are all an equal distance away which is inaccurate compared to the actual earth, the Mercator maps are less accurate when it comes to the size or proportion of the continents 
• Places farther from the equator become much larger and the places closer to the equator become smaller in size on these maps
• These maps are better when they are focused on one specific place or country
• These are the maps that are commonly seen and used in schools and around the world
• Some people are offended by this map saying that the countries that have been distorted and shrunk are being put down or disrespected for being inaccurately represented
• Gerardus Mercator developed this map in 1569

Here are my findings on Peters Projection Maps;

• The lines of longitude and latitude on this map are not equivalent distances apart throughout. This helps represent the curve and sphere shape of the earth
• This map is said to be more accurate because it shows the actual size of every content and looks like how the earth would on a two dimensional plane
• This map is far less common than a Mercator Map
• Land masses can be seen as there actual size in comparison to the Mercator maps that distort country sizes
• The higher up on the map, the shorter the distance between lines of latitude and the closer to the edge, the shorter distance there is between lines of longitude
• Arno Peters was the man who founded this map in 1973

I would like to start using the Peters Projection Map. Although I am not used to that map yet, I feel that it would be better to use the Peters Projection Map. This map is the more accurate out of the two styles and I would like to be able to see what the world truly looks like. I never knew how large Africa truly is or how small the United States is until I looked at Peters Projection Map. After looking at this map once I already learned so much more about the world than I knew before. I had not noticed this difference between style of maps and country sizes until I looked at this map. This is why I would prefer to use the Peters Projection Map.

Learning About Maps

Today in class we began talking about maps. We also learned the difference between Mercator and Peters Projection Maps. A Mercator map is a map where the latitude and longitude and equivalent distances away from each other. This makes the map inaccurate and changes the sizes of each content compared to its actual size. Although this is the case, Mercator maps are the more commonly used maps. The Peters Projection Map is the more accurate map. The lines of latitude and longitude are changed to represent the curve of the earth. This map stretches out the continents and portrays them to their actual size. The Peters Projection Map is not as commonly seen or used. We looked at three different maps. Each one was a little bit different in the type of map, coloring, locations shown and more. The first map was strictly of the United States. This map showed roads and major interstates, cities, and separated states by colors. The next map was a world map. The colors sectioned of every country and was a Mercator map. This map only had major marks or locations symbolized. The final map was color coded by continents and was a Peters Projection Map.