(© copyright 1996-1999, Timothy G. Feeman and Elaine F. Bosowski.)
(mercmap2.htm)
For this part of the laboratory exercise, you will need the following.
your graticule from Laboratory Exercise mercmap1 (a Mercator projection)
drafting tape (Don't forget to stick the tape to your clothes before using it on paper, in order to reduce its stickiness a bit.)
drawing pencil
1 sheet of drafting paper
sandblock sharpener
straight edge
combination curves and/or french curves template
eraser and erasing shield
compass (the sort used for drawing circles, not the sort used for determining direction)
globe
atlas
Your task is to properly use the above items to prepare a thematic map of the world, using the base graticule you prepared with Maple in the first part of this lab (8a).
Important Note: If you did not do the Maple work, you may use the copy of the graticule located in the endpages of your text. However, you must also then answer the questions in the file mercmapq.htm .
Your finished map should have the following features:
The boundaries of the land masses between 80 degrees south latitude and 80 degrees north latitude will be compiled.
Each of the seven continents will be shaded to represent one of the three data classes for the theme you have selected.
The portions of the graticule that lie within water areas will be lightly sketched.
A creative title reflecting the theme you have chosen will be hand-lettered and centered below the map itself;
A map legend will be centered below the map title*. The legend will include the three shading patterns used for the map with their accompanying data classes specified and a complete reference for the data source used to prepare the map. (* For space reasons, you may find it necessary to locate the legend somewhere else on the page. Just explain this change in your comment sheet.)
The name of the map author (this is you!) will be hand-lettered in the lower right-hand corner of the page.
To prepare the finished map, follow these steps.
Properly tape your base graticule to a table or other flat surface suitable for drawing.
Using your drafting pencil and a straight edge, draw three registration marks (a pair of crossed lines) in any three of the four corners of the graticule sheet.
Firmly tape your drafting paper over your base graticule. Then, using straight edge and drafting pencil, trace the registration marks onto your drafting paper. These registration marks will allow you to properly align all your work for this lab.
Write your name, in pencil, in the lower right-hand corner of your drafting paper.
Select a meridian to serve as the central meridian for your map. You need not choose the Prime Meridian for the center of your map. (In fact, I would prefer a center other than the Prime Meridian.)
2. Compiling land boundaries and tracing the graticule.
Using the "like squares" method (introduced in lab exercise azilab2) compile a map of the land boundaries of both hemispheres. Once you have drawn the land boundaries , then go to the section below on Symbolization and add the thematic data display. Then lightly trace those portions of the graticule that lie within water areas.
For the classification and symbolization portion of this laboratory exercise you will need to choose a thematic map and/or chart from the atlas to serve as your data base. (In Goode's World Atlas, 19th edition, appropriate maps can be found on pages 10--59.) You will be preparing a choropleth map with three data classes using the seven continents of the world as your data collection units. Each continent will be shaded according to the data class within which it falls.
a. selecting a theme; classifying the data
- From your atlas, select a thematic map or chart showing interval or ratio data. Take some time to examine the breadth of possibilities depicted in the atlas. Choose a theme that interests you.
- Most of the interval/ratio data maps in the atlas classify the data into more than three classes. You should combine some of these in order to reduce the number of data classes to three. How you combine the classes will affect the appearance of your map. For instance, if most regions on the map in the atlas fall within a few classes, then combining those classes into one for your map will result in one shading pattern dominating your map. Your data class intervals should not overlap.
- Once you have selected your data classes, you must create a shading pattern. Do not use different colors; use different shadings with your pencil. The shading pattern should be graduated along with the data so that each successive data class has a denser shading. For instance, horizontal lines/horizontal and vertical lines/solid is okay while dots/squares/triangles is not.
Recalling the instructions on hand lettering from Lab 6b, carefully sketch light guidelines for the following labels:
- a creative title, centered below your map;
- your name, in the lower right hand corner.
Once your guidelines are completed, sketch in the lettering. When you create the legend, you will need to do more lettering for the data class intervals.
Prepare the legend for your map by drawing three boxes, each 1/2 inch square, vertically spaced above each other. To the right of each box, sketch light guidelines for labeling the data class intervals. Then sketch in the lettering for the data classes. Shade the interior of each box to match the shading you used for the corresponding data class interval on your map.
When you have finished, spend some time thinking about what you have created and write about your observations in your comments sheet for this lab.
Be patient. This takes time.
Be careful. This is not necessarily an easy task.
Draw lightly. You may need to erase and correct your line work.
If you have problems, or are unsure, seek help.
Enjoy!