Thursday, April 26, 2012

Lab 3 - Neogeography


View Geog 7 - The Big Bang Theory in a larger map


Neogeography or "new geography" is the idea of using and creating maps for personal use or for a community use. They are made by people that are not considered "professionals" and are more informal. Neogeography has an ease to its use and is useful for sharing information for a personal use such as with friends and family. It makes it easier for people to gain access to map information. Also, this technology is beneficial because it allows people to share directions to each other with more clarity than written down street signs. People are provided the tools they need to create any map as they please. 


The downside of neogeography is the unreliability of the information. Because it is created by "unprofessionals" and generally people who are not credited to make maps, the information that a map provides may not be exact. The information may also be skewed towards the map maker's interest. Point in being is the map that I have personally created for this lab. Neogeography allows us to map out these different locations for our own personal purposes and does not follow a strict or uniform rule about what can and cannot be mapped out. 


This map in particular is an example of neography made through the google maps feature. It maps out a few of the popular locations that are seen in the television show, "The Big Bang Theory." This map, though fairly based off fiction, is purposeful to the community that has an interest in the television show and are interested in experiencing the lives of these fictional characters. Though this map is a positive example of neogeography in that anything can be mapped out based on the user's desires without much limitations, the downside is the credibility of the maps that are created. The credibility of the map should not turn people away from neogeography though because the benefits of it are still much greater. 

Friday, April 20, 2012

Lab 2 - USGS Topographic Maps

1. What is the name of the quadrangle?
Beverly Hills Quadrangle

2.  What are the names of the adjacent quadrangles?
Canoga Park Quadrangle, Van Nuys Quadrangle, Burbank Quadrangle, Topanga Quadrangle, Hollywood Quadrangle, Venice Quadrangle, and Inglewood Quadrangle

3. When was the quadrangle first created?
This quadrangle was first created in 1966

4. What datum was used to create your map?
The National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929

5. What is the scale of the map?
1:24,000

6. At the above scale: answer the following:

a) 5 centimeters on the map is equivalent to how many meters on the ground? 1200 meters
b) 5 inches on the map is equivalent to how many miles on the ground? 1.89 miles
c) 1 mile on the ground is equivalent to how many inches on the map? 2.64 inches
d) 3 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?
The contour interval is 20 feet.

8. What are the approximate geographic coordinates in both degrees/minutes/seconds and decimal degree of

a) the Public Affairs Building: 34°4'26" / 118°26'24" & 34.074°N, 118.390°E
b) the tip of Santa Monica Pier: 34°0'25" / 118°29'50" & 34.007°N, 118.499°E
c) the Upper Franklin Canyon Reservoir: 34°7'13" / 118°24'32" & 34.120°N, 118.409°E

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

a) Greystone Mansion: 570ft / 173.73 meters
b) Woodland Cemetery: 140 ft / 42.67 meters
c) Crestwood Hills Park: 720 ft / 219.46 meters

10. What is the UTM zone of the map?
UTM Zone 11

11. What are the UTM coordinates for the lower left corner of your map?
0361500, 3763000

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

13. Obtain elevation measurements, from west to east along the UTM northing 3771000, where the eastins 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?
14 degrees clockwise

15. In which direction does water flow in the intermittent stream between the 405 freeway and Stone Canton Reservoir?
Water is flowing south because of the declination of the land.


Friday, April 13, 2012

Lab 1 - Maps

Map #1


This map shows the the access to improved water sources in the world from 2004. From this map you can easily see which areas of the world have access to clean water and which countries need improvements in their water quality. This map is interesting because, from the percentage of improved water sources in certain countries, it can be further investigated why this is the case for that country whether it is within their government to fix these problems or if it is a matter of environmental conflicts. 

Map #2


This map show the states of the USA and the percentage of obese adults within the particular state. What is interesting about this map is that, most people consider America to be obese but in this map, you can see which states in particular are suffering from this health problem. Also from this, you can further investigate the causes for these states with higher percentages of obese adults and what their health regulations are for that state. From investigating this information, it can be used to conclude what are the causes for these differences in percentages. 

Map #3



This map depicts the amount of crimes within a state per 100,000 residents in 2004. From what it seems, California has an alarmingly high amount of crime rates in comparison to other state but it should also be considered that California is also home to much more residents than other states. In this way, maps can also be misleading if the information that you are seeking is not carefully researched. Despite any misconceptions that may come from the information provided, this map is interesting because it shows how much more crime is being committed in other states within America and it can also be researched as to why these states are seeing more crimes than others.