Week 11 - Geographic Info Systems - GIS4043

This weeks map required the use of ArcPython.


Understanding the basics of running scripts with map making actually starts to show that cartographers create 20 maps and the analyst and compare the data much faster than maybe even tn years ago.
This map show the best place for a camp site in De Soto National Forest based on its proximity to a road, water an not being within a conservation area. Now running each of those scripts or options manually could be very time consuming. This is great especially if you just received an new map data because this year has produced a very heavy rain season and the camp grounds open up tomorrow.
You would want to have the map in hand and the ability to drive the area or verify it with aerial surveillance. 

Week 10 - Cartographic GIS 3015

This week we work on Dot mapping.

Dot Mapping is taking raw data usually a compilation of numbers and using it represent different variables (ie population, religious belief, race). These variables are represented by a dot using a maximum number and a geolocation.  They are placed throughout a region and can make for detailed yet simplistic interpretation by the average individual. 
This dot map had me in a crunch this week. I am not sure why it was so mean but it pretty much kick my tail. Attempting to represent an accurate picture can be challenging. If drawn incorrectly you could skew information and cause the map reader to falsely interpret you message. The information provided to use by the census bureau is divided by county. If the dots where map in any random place through out counties in Florida it might make Lake Okeechobee look like a very lively neighborhood. Since most of south west Florida is marsh or swamp, having the dots only fall on urban areas becomes really important. Unless you want the rest of the world to think the History Channel's Swamp People is the only thing to the left of Miami.

Week 9 - Cartographic GIS 3015

This week focused on Flow maps.

The use of flow maps has an esthetic appeal for many. The line width makes the information easily interpretable. People automatically associate size with a value, bigger equals more and small equates to less.

I decided since we where mapping immigrants into the United States I decided to attempt political correctness with this maps design theme. The over arching color theme of the map is red white and blue.
Associating immigrants with a symbols that many Americans associate with freedom may cause  subconscious visual appeal.  Better to associate immigration with freedom than with all of the other negative stereotype that society throws at it.
With the techincal elements of the map I made all of the flow lines transparent up to 25% and placed them under any land features so they would not detract from smaller objects like islands.  As an inset map I placed the smaller map to show the disbursement of immigrants through out the country. On the bigger map I decided to keep the map simple. I did not want to much clutter and with an attempt to just focus on America itself.

Week 6 - Cartographic Skills - GIS3015

Data Classification is the subject of the week.
It was very interesting to see just how different the same information can be presented just by changing the way it is distributed. It reminds me of lying with maps. If I was a realtor I could use the same information to make a retiree feel welcome and among individuals of the same age, that I could to make them feel that it only and handful of retirees are in the area.

Proper representation is very important especially when it comes to getting public services for the area. You want the map truest to reality. I feel that would be the natural breaks or equal interval map. Don't you agree?

Week 8 - Cartographic GIS 3015

I really enjoyed making the maps for this assignment. I never really paid attention to the way thermal maps looked until I created my own.
 The hypsometric map appears to provide a greater amount of information than the continuous tone map because it has a more detailed legend but in reality it all depends on what the client wants.

The contours feel like an additional information that just makes the map more difficult to read.  However if you were trying to pick an area for a farm of a climate sensitive building you may also want to know the elevation.  Placing the contours on a separate map would be unnecessary when you can just give the client what they asked for in one go round.

This data was obtained from:?

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, National Geospatial Management Center

The official publisher of the data and the publication date: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, National Geospatial Management Center 09/2012

Original creator of dataset: The PRISM Group at Oregon State University

Dataset title: 20060101

PART II: Lab Questions 
Answer all questions and explain your answers!

1. What does continuous tone symbology mean?

a. Using continuous tone symbology means a map is made with colors gradually changing / stretching between color spectrum to represent different data. There is no exact beginning or end of one color.  It is just a gradual subtle  change. It is kind of like when you give a little child a box of crayons to draw with. When you come back and you can see all of the colors have been used however you aren’t really sure where they start and end. 

2. How did you implement continuous tone symbology on your map?

a. This assignment was very straight forward. There wasn’t much for me to do beyond follow instructions. I used the precipitation color ramp with the hill shades effect.  

3. What does hypsometric tinting mean?

a. Using hypsometric tinting means that the color change will still follow the color spectrum however it will be more abrupt. You will be able to differentiate between the values a lot easier.  

4. How did you implement hypsometric tinting on your map?

a. Again this was a very straight forward assignment. I just followed the instructions. I did implement contours with this map. 

5. Which map do you think best presents the data and why?

a. After completing this assignment I can see the value behind each data representation. I do believe if using the continuous tone map you need to have contours or some else implemented to help the average map reader to understand. 

b. If this map is just for the everyday person i would suggest using hypsometric tinting. The information is much easier to process. 

Week 7 & 8 - Geographic Info Systems - GIS4043

So this week we had to find our own data sources and provide maps and information based on our research.

This would have been a piece of cake if people would just provided everything you need using the same data system. (lol if only) Or even better if the data didn't find some way to continuously break itself. I spent most of my time with IT on this project because it hated me.
Martin County, Florida is a very small town that is sparsely populated, when compared with the rest of the state. Its main cities are parts of metro ares that are located in other counties.
For this project I had to create my own data for the cities using Google maps to get the coordinates of each city. That was a fun search.
Hopefully you like my maps!