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Maps Make You Reach Your Destination
by Venita Proami
http://www.informaps.com
Maps are the pictorial representation of a region. The
purpose of map is to provide information; therefore, it
covers only those facts and figures that matter. Maps
include only the physical features, boundaries, distribution
and symbols. Following a fixed scale, each point,
corresponding to geographical feature in an area, is plotted
on the map. Maps also depict data like population density,
industrial power and birth rates, used for comparisons. In
the initial stages maps were made out of woodcuts. Today,
hi-tech maps are made using the methods like wax engraving,
lithography and photoengraving.
Mapmaking is older than writing. Even in the absence of
literacy people used to make diagrams of areas they knew
thoroughly. Eskimos, Marshall, islanders, Babylonians,
Chinese and Egyptians were into mapmaking. The oldest map,
displayed in a museum at Harvard, was made by the
Babylonians with the help of clay.
Mapmaking these days is also known as cartography. It was
founded by the Greeks. Eratosthenes laid forward the method
of measuring the distances on the earth by using meridians
and parallels. The early maps showed only the Mediterranean
part of the world with accuracy. Gradually other forms of
maps were introduced by the scientists from different parts
of the world. Chinese gave the first printed map to the
world. Atlases are the collection of maps. These were first
published in the 19th century.
Road maps are in high demand these days. They are a part of
navigational maps along with aeronautical charts, maps
containing rail-road network, and bicycling maps. Community
maps are also widely used by the people. It is interesting
to know that people who carry out surveys draw the largest
number of maps. Mainly municipalities, emergency service
providers, tax assessors and local agencies draw and use
maps.
Maps are not always drawn to a fixed scale. There are maps
that are designed without scales because they solve the
purpose of being visually communicative. One of the examples
of such maps is the London underground map, it is mainly
used by the commuters who are in hurry and can afford just
a glance at the map to learn about the area. Maps that
employ different qualities rather than the physical area to
provide the relative size are called cartograms.
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