Notwithstanding the purpose of the map or GIS project at hand, it is critical that definitions of features are clear and remain consistent. In addition, each cat has specific characteristics, such as black fur, a long tail, green eyes, a love of salmon, and a loud meow. Definition - What does Abstraction mean? Technological advances in imaging technology, in conjunction with the commercialization of space flight, opened the door for companies like GeoEye (http://www.geoeye.com) and DigitalGlobe (http://www.digitalglobe.com) to provide satellite imagery and maps to the masses at the turn of the twenty-first century. Such maps can be found on the news, the Internet, in your car, and on your mobile phone. Learning about the scale, shape, and content of maps serves to increase our understanding of maps, as well as deepen our appreciation of maps and map making. Map abstraction refers to the process of explicitly defining and representing real-world features on a map. In fact, consistent and precise definitions of features like forests or swamps increase the reliability and efficiency of maps, mapping, and analysis with GISs. refers to the process of resolving conflicts associated with too much detail, too many features, or too much information to map. We, need to know that a cat has a tail, fur and eyes, but we. If we don’t abstract we may end up with the wrong solution to the problem we are trying to solve. Failure to be explicit, consistent, and precise will return incorrect; inconsistent; and error-prone maps, analyses, and decisions based on such maps and GISs. For instance, different sized points can be used to reflect variations in population size, line color or line size (i.e., thickness) can be used to denote volume or the amount of interaction between locations, and different colors and shapes can be used to reflect different values of interest. In particular, generalization can take several forms (Buttenfield and McMaster 1991):Buttenfield, B., and R. McMaster. The three basic geometric forms of geographical features are the point, line, and polygon (or area). Mapping forests regularly with a GIS is a logical way to monitor deforestation and has the potential to inform policies regarding forest conservation efforts. The three basic geometric forms of geographical features are the point, line, and polygon (or area). problems, we then look for patterns among and within the smaller problems that make up the complex problem. It is at this point that cartographic and artistic license, prejudices and biases, and creativity and design senseâor lack thereofâemerge to shape the map. This process not only involves making choices about how to represent features but also, more important with regard to geographic information systems (GISs), requires us to be explicit, consistent, and precise in terms of defining and describing geographical features of interest. One of the most pressing environmental issues facing the world is deforestation. The use of various text, icons, and symbols to represent real-world features. There are also numerous text fonts and styles that are incorporated into maps. we looked at the problem of having to draw a series of cats. Such maps can be found on the news, the Internet, in your car, and on your mobile phone. Thematic Cartography and Geovisualization. Learning about map content and map generalization is important because they serve as the building blocks for spatial data that are used within a GIS. 1991. Which forms of map generalization were used to create the map? Figure 2.14 Geographic Features as Points, Lines, and Polygons. Abstraction is a fundamental principle in some types of computer science. Defining features and attributes of interest is often an iterative process of trial and error. Ultimately, this increased geographical awareness and appreciation of maps promotes the sound and effective use and application of a GIS. Which three elements of generalization would you change? See the license for more details, but that basically means you can share this book as long as you credit the author (but see below), don't make money from it, and do make it available to everyone else under the same terms. The process by which real-world features are simplified in order to be represented on a map. Our team of exam survivors will get you started and keep you going. Central to this representation is the reduction of the earth and its features of interest to a manageable size (i.e., map scale) and its transformation into a useful two-dimensional form (i.e., map projection). Both simple and complex maps can be made using these three relatively simple geometric objects. Phenomena that when represented on a map have clearly defined boundaries. Such changes can be made to the respective size, shape, color, and patterns of points, lines, and polygons. Consider passing it on: Creative Commons supports free culture from music to education. In particular, generalization can take several forms (Buttenfield and McMaster 1991):Buttenfield, B., and R. McMaster. With online mapping services such as Google Earth providing free and user-friendly access to such images, a revolution in maps and mapping was born. Continuous featuresPhenomena that lack clearly defined boundaries., on the other hand, are less well defined and exist across space. What is common to most maps, and in particular to those within a GIS, is that they are graphical representations of reality. Put another way, various graphical symbols are used to represent geographical features or entities. Phenomena that when represented on a map have clearly defined boundaries. Public access to such images was pretty much limited to the evening news. Map abstraction refers to the process of explicitly defining and representing real-world features on a map. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. As previously discussed, maps are a representation of the earth. Another map element that deserves to be mentioned and that combines both graphics and text is the map legend or map key.