Лекция: Geography and Maps
The arrangement of things over the earth and the interactions between two or more areas can be presented with clarity and simplicity on maps. Although maps are used in many other studies, in geography they become the one constantly essential tool.
The ancient Greeks were the first to make accurate maps of the entire world as they knew it, using latitude and longitude. All their knowledge, with many errors, was contained in maps by the Egyptian Ptolemy 1 of Alexandria 2. During the Middle Ages map making was neglected. About the time of Columbus, Europeans obtained Arabian copies of Ptolemy's maps. They revived the use of latitude and longitude on maps. Then came the great voyages of discovery, and map makers soon developed new methods to show the entire world. They were troubled, however, by inability to determine longitude accurately. Invention of the telescope made it possible to do this from astronomical observations. In 1682 J.D. Cassini 3 produced the first really accurate map of the world.
In the 19 th century inexpensive maps were made possible by the invention of photoengraving. The 20 th century brought aerial photography to the aid of map makers. Today maps are employed in countless ways. Schools use them constantly, not only in the study of geography, but as aids for understanding plant and animal life, history and current events. Outside of school we encounter maps in almost every newspaper and magazine.
Three kinds of maps are important. They are (1) the reference maps, may be used like an encyclopedia as a source of information. A road map is a good example of a reference map. Drivers refer to such maps to find out how to get from one place to another; (2) the illustrative maps show the distribution of specific phenomena or the spatial correlation of two or more phenomena on the earth's surface. The weather map reproduced in daily newspapers is a good example of an illustrative map. It shows how temperatures, precipitation, winds and pressure are related in space; (3) the analytical maps suggest ideas that can be tested by mathematical and statistical techniques. This type of map is used mostly by professional geographers in their research
To make and to read maps involve several abilities. These are the ability to locate places, to ascertain directions, to measure distances and to interpret the map maker's symbols. Exceptional skill in the use of maps is required in many professions, such as geography, civil engineering, geology, navigation and others.
Ptolemy (Claudius Ptolemaeus) — Клавдий Птолемей (ок. 90 — ок. 160), др.-греч. астроном. Написал трактат «География», где дал сводку географических сведений античного мира.
Alexandria — Александрия, столица Египта (305 — 30 д.н.э.)
J.D. Cassini — Джованни Доменико Кассини — (1625 — 1712) французский ученый, астроном и геодезист.