Week 8 Lab: Census Data Maps!

This map of Asian population density based on the 2000 census shows higher concentrations of self-described Asians on the west coast (particularly southern California) and in the upper east coast (particularly the New York area). There are a few exceptions however, with Asian population density surpassing 70,000 members in the upper right region of Texas. For the most part, as a pattern, the Asian population is highest in big city areas such as San Diego, Los Angeles, San Fransisco/ Bay Area, Dallas, New York City, and Boston.

This map of the African American population density based on the 2000 census shows a general trend of high African American population density in the central and southern parts of the west coast/ Arizona area and the southern portion of the east coast/ eastern Texas area. There appears to be a much higher population of African Americans throughout the United States than of Asian Americans.

This map of the population density of other races (not African American or Asian American) based on the 2000 census shows a must more sporadic and spread out trend than either that of the Asian Americans or African Americans. The population density is highest in the San Francisco/ Bay Area portion of California as well as the Albuquerque area of New Mexico. Lower, yet still significant population densities are found throughout most of the west coast, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, as well as smaller areas of concentration around southern Florida, South Carolina, and the upper east coast.

   As a whole the census data shows a lack of African Americans, Asian Americans, and other races (and therefore diversity) in the northern and central parts on the United States. There seems to be higher portions in well-established and known big cities, such as California's Bay Area, San Diego, Los Angeles, and New York City. The population of African American in the United States seems to easily surpass that of Asian Americans and as a whole rivals that of other races (although the density of other races is must more spread out). All in all, the census data and subsequent maps seem to provide both a good visual and an informative source.

   In terms of GIS, the possibilities immense. It is relatively easy to use once trained and provides excellent visuals to make sense of endless and sometimes confusing data. It ability to be easily changed, managed, and manipulated make it vastly superior to hard copy maps and user generated online mapping websites. Although GIS mapping is extremely helpful and useful when used properly, in order to maintain the integrity of GIS technology it should not be available for use by the general public, but should instead be reserved for professionals and college level students seeking understanding and mastery of the technology.

Week 7 lab: DEMs in ArcGIS!

Shaded Relief Model
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Slope Map
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Aspect Map
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3D Map

   My area is part of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range in California. Because of the mountains, the area has a wide variety of elevation levels that span across it. The extent information is as follows: Top (37.4744 degrees), Left (-119.2928 degrees), Right (-118.3767 degrees), and Bottom (36.9642 degrees). It's geographic coordinate system is GCS_North_American_1983 using the North American 1983 datum with an angular unit of 0.0176.

Week 6 Lab: Projection in ArcGIS!

Original Map GWGS1984 

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Mercator Map Projection (conformal)

Distance from Washington D.C. to Kabul:
geodesic: 6,934.47 miles
loxodrome: 8,112.0607 miles
great elliptic: 6,934. 4838 miles

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Eckert I Map Projection (conformal)

Distance from Washington D.C. to Kabul:
geodesic: 6,934.47 miles
loxodrome: 8,112.0607 miles
great elliptic: 6,934. 4838 miles

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Eckert VI Map Projection (equal area)

Distance from Washington D.C. to Kabul:
geodesic: 6,934.47 miles
loxodrome: 8,112.0607 miles
great elliptic: 6,934. 4838 miles

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Bonne Map Projection (equal area)

Distance from Washington D.C. to Kabul:
geodesic: 6,934.47 miles
loxodrome: 8,112.0607 miles
great elliptic: 6,934. 4838 miles

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Equidistant Conic Map Projection (equidistant)

Distance from Washington D.C. to Kabul:
geodesic: 6,934.47 miles
loxodrome: 8,112.0607 miles
great elliptic: 6,934. 4838 miles

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Equidistant Cylindrical Map Projection (equidistant)

Distance from Washington D.C. to Kabul:
geodesic: 6,934.47 miles
loxodrome: 8,112.0607 miles
great elliptic: 6,934. 4838 miles

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   Map projections give us the opportunity to view the earth (in this case in its most basic outlines) in different ways. There are obvious pros and cons to the use of different map projections. The benefits of using different map projections is that we are given the chance to see the world through different perspectives. We have the option of choosing whether to preserve angles (conformal, i.e. the first two maps on this blog), area (equal area, i.e. the second two maps), or distance (equidistant, i.e. the last two maps) when viewing a map.
   One of the main problems with map projections is that while we can decide what characteristics of the Earth we would like to perserve, we can't make a map that preserves everything. All three forms of map projection must sacrifice some aspect of our earth in order to perserve the others. This is because our planet is a sphere, and paper is not. No matter how we try to project it, some aspect of a map projection will always be distorted.
   Along these same lines, many members of the public that are unfamiliar with the perils of map projection look at maps online and do not question them. This leads them to believe that certain countries are larger than they really are, or that two countries are a lot closer together than they are in reality. The flaws of map projection are then passed on to people as truths of the world, causing false information to spread like wildfire.
   As unfortunate as these errors in map projection may be, this doesn't mean that improvements aren't possible. We are living in an era exploding with technological advances. Soon we might find ourselves lucky enough to find technology that can combine the uses of conformal, equidistant, and equal area map projections without any sacrifices or distortion.

Week 4 Lab: Introducing ArcMap!

   Using ArcMap for the first time was a little intimidating. Personally I have never been much of a computer savvy person, so doing anything besides printing and saving documents was new for me. Luckily all the directions made sense and were easy to follow. Not only am I extremely proud of what I was able to accomplish, but I have a much better understanding of computers in general now, which is helpful outside of geography and GIS.

   One of the biggest benefits of GIS is its effectiveness at storing and displaying data. Through these programs its possible to turn endless amounts of numbers and statistics into a clear, easy to read visual that incorporates all the information. This not only makes projects, demographics, etc. understandable to people unfamiliar with geography, but also simplifies things to avoid mistakes made by those undertaking said projects (like an airport expansion plan).

   The biggest pitfall of GIS is probably its difficulty to access. It has to be done on computers with special programming installed, and it doesn't come cheap. This makes things harder for those attempting to learn how to use GIS and restricts where and when learning can be done. Because of all this, many members of the general public are not aware of the benefits of GIS, and its potential is hindered.

   If GIS was made accessible to the public, its potential could be limitless. Although it can be difficult to learn such a complex system, once learned it could become a mainstream form of displaying data in the same way that GoogleMaps and MapQuest have reinvented mapping and directions. While websites like GoogleMaps have their downfalls (see last week's post) it would be ridiculous to say that they have not had a positive impact on modern society.