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Cartographic skills - EduqasSketch maps, photographs and GIS maps

Maps represent the real world. Cartographic means anything relating to the drawing or making of maps. Atlas maps show large areas and Ordnance Survey maps show smaller areas in more detail. Sketch maps, satellite images, photos, GIS maps and geology maps are all useful, too.

Part of GeographyGeographical skills

Sketch maps, photographs and GIS maps

There are other types of map that provide a representation of the landscape.

Sketch maps

Sketch maps are simple drawings of the landscape. They show things that are sometimes hidden in photographs or maps, eg the impact of on a landscape.

Sketch maps may be shown as a or as a drawing of the horizon. They can be drawn whilst on fieldwork or from a photograph. It is useful to sketch maps or include a photograph alongside it.

A sketch map shows a top-down view of a river valley, featuring mountains, river, river walkway, cropfields, a farm house, farm road, marsh, lake and planted forest.

Photographs

Photographs can be taken from different locations:

  • Ground photographs - these can be taken during fieldwork, using a camera or mobile device. They need to be annotated to show any features.
  • Aerial photographs - these are usually taken from an aeroplane. They cover a wider area than ground photographs so they are useful in showing patterns.
  • Satellite images - these are high- photographs taken from in space. They show a very wide area, but in less detail than close-up images.
A photo showing the landscape before an earthquake
Image caption,
Satellite image showing the landscape before an earthquake
A photo showing the landscape after an earthquake
Image caption,
The landscape after an earthquake

What are GIS maps?

(GIS) maps are digital maps that have layers of data added to them. GIS maps can be changed to show specific information about a place. Information layers can be shown as:

  • area shading - sections of the map are shaded to show patterns
  • graphs - bar charts, pie charts and proportional symbols are overlain
  • photographs - photographs can be added to points on the map
  • flow lines - lines to show movements between places

Annotating maps and photographs

Annotations are detailed labels with an explanation of what is shown. They are important because they allow geographers to interpret and compare maps and photographs. Annotations can focus on and and they usually include key terms.