Ch 02: Knowledge Check

How many degrees of latitude exist between the North Pole and the South Pole? a. 90° b. 180° c. 23.5° d. 360°

b. 180°

A flat map is a more accurate representation of the world's entire surface than a globe. a. true b. false

b. false A flat map will always contain a degree of distortion due to the impossibility to accurately represent a spherical surface onto a flat surface. A globe will always be more accurate than a flat map of the world's entire surface.

Satellite images are always better than aerial photographs when it comes to spatial resolution. a. true b. false

b. false A satellite image has the ability to cover a vastly larger area than an aerial photograph since the satellite is in orbit, but an aerial photograph will often contain superior spatial resolution due to the detail it can capture from a much lower elevation.

The Equator is an example of a longitude line. a. true b. false

b. false The Equator is located at 0° latitude and separates the Northern Hemisphere from the Southern Hemisphere.

Latitude lines are also known as: a. great circles. b. base lines. c. parallels. d. meridians.

c. parallels.

Which remote sensing technique will use heat signatures to identify objects on the ground? a. radar b. sonar c. thermal infrared d. LIDAR

c. thermal infrared

Longitude lines run: a. north-south. b. east-west. c. parallel to each other. d. diagonal to each other.

a. north-south.

A geographic information system (GIS) can display and combine thematic map layers digitally, which helps researchers find and analyze spatial and temporal changes and patterns on Earth's surface. a. true b. false

a. true A geographic information system (GIS) is a versatile computer-based system and set of tools used to enter, store, access, manipulate, display, and analyze geographic data and information. GIS has revolutionized the field of cartography and has allowed enormous amounts of digital data to be displayed and analyzed.

A map projection will always contain some amount of distortion. a. true b. false

a. true A good cartographer will always use a map projection that will minimize inaccuracies, but it is mathematically impossible to make a perfectly accurate representation of a spherical surface onto a flat surface. A small scale map that covers a large surface area can potentially contain a great deal of distortion. A large scale map that covers a small surface area will have a negligible amount of distortion.

A legend is an important component of a map. a. true b. false

a. true A legend is a critical component to most maps. The legend will contain vital data to understanding the map, including its symbology, the map scale as well as other specific information.

A map projection is a representation of a spherical grid onto a flat surface, such as a piece of paper. a. true b. false

a. true A map projection is a representation of a spherical grid onto a flat surface. It is important to state that no map projection is 100% accurate. A cartographer will determine what map projection will best represent the region of the globe which is being mapped.

Cartography is the science and profession of mapmaking. a. true b. false

a. true Cartography is the science and profession of mapmaking. Like any other science or profession, cartography has evolved. Mapmaking was once done by hand using paper. The vast majority of cartography nowadays is digital and is aided by computer technology.

Map scale is an expression of the relationship between a distance on the ground and the same distance as it appears on the map. a. true b. false

a. true Map scale is an expression of the relationship between distance on the ground and the same distance on the map. Your map will always be smaller than the area which it is representing, therefore a scale is an essential component of any map.

Remote sensing is the collection of information and data about distant objects or environments from a distance. a. true b. false

a. true Remote sensing is the collection of information and data about distant objects or environments. Aerial photography or satellite imagery are two prime examples of remote sensing since the user is far removed from the region in which data is being collected.

Topographic contour lines are isolines connecting points on a map that are at the same elevation above or below mean sea level. a. true b. false

a. true Topographic contour lines are isolines connecting points of continuous data which have equal values. Other isolines you will see in the textbook include temperature (isotherms) and barometric pressure (isobars).