Cartography

Cartography
- Purpose (uses) of a Map
  - navigation
  - communication
    - feature location (absolute & relative)
    - feature size (absolute & relative)
    - features: amount (how much)
    - feature pattern
    - as Dr. Suess might say ...
      - what is where
      - how much is there
      - is here related to there
      - one fish, two fish ...
  - conduct spatial analysis - aid in decision making
- Types of Maps
  - general reference
    - planimetric: natural (water) & cultural features
    - topographic: planimetric + elevation
  - thematic
    - amount/ distrb'n/ pattern of a phenomenon (e.g. critical habitat)
    - types
- Non-Map Outputs
  - cartograms
    - cross btwn map & diagram
    - size based on 'some attribute value'
    - world population
    - world nuke capability
    - CO2 emissions
  - 3D (2.5D) representations - surfaces
  - animations
- Map Components (Elements)
  - map proper with neatline, geo-reference (grid/ tics)
  - title, date, author
  - direction (N), scale, border
  - symbology/ legend
  - annotation (label key)
  - projection, datum
- Symbology
  - qualitative
    - distinct colour ramp
    - ArcGIS: Categories > Unique Values
  - quantitative
    - chromatic colour ramp (gradual change)
    - intensity of shade (single colour)
    - ArcGIS - Quantities > Graduated Colors
- Cartographic Design
  - Concept before Compilation
    - map purpose & audience
    - big picture first ... then details
  - Hierarchy with Harmony
    - intellectual heirarchy (what is important)
      - What is your message ... make it stand out
      - critical map elements/ features (=figure)
      - background map data (=ground)
      - supporting data ... make it fall back
    - visual heirarchy (how to)
      - Title (subtitle), legend
        
        image 1
        
        image 2
      - colour/ shade (dark/ bright)
      - relative size of elements/ symbols/ text
      - location (centre of page)
      - more figure-ground ...
        
        figure: has "shape" & appears "in front"
        
        ground: background
        
        land : water if land is important
        
        water : land ... visa versa
        
        consider the relative intensity of blue for lakes
  - Simplicity from Sacrifice
    - Generalization
      - why
        
        scale
        
        intent/ purpose of map
        
        audience
      - how
        
        selection (omission) - a
        
        simplification - b
        
        aggregation (combination) - c
        
        dissolve - g
        
        smoothing - i
    - keep critical & delete "nice to have" elements
  - Max Info at Min Cost/ Effort
    - effective design
    - "message" is readily understood
    - Classification
      - number of classes ~5 (7 max)
      - class breaks (intervals)
        
        User Defined
        
        Natural Breaks
        
        Quantile
        
        Equal Interval
  - Engage Emotion
  - Do's
    - use a few related colours
    - use few font types (vary size, boldness)
    - use 'stronger' colours for important items
    - use subdued colours for background
    - keep balance & symmetry (avoid gaps and "clustering")
    - clean & simple