Chapter 1 outlined several of the distinguishing properties of geographic information. One of these properties is that geographic maps are necessarily generalized, and that generalization tends to vary with scale. This chapter will introduce another distinguishing property related to the measurement and display of geographic information: that the Earth's complex, nearly-spherical but somewhat irregular shape complicates efforts to specify exact positions on the Earth's surface. In this chapter, we will explore the implications of these properties by illuminating concepts of scale, Earth geometry, coordinate systems, and the "horizontal datums" that define the relationship between coordinate systems and the Earth's shape.
Compared to Chapter 1, Chapter 2 may seem long, technical, and abstract, particularly to those for whom these concepts are new. Chapter 2 will introduce some of the more technical concepts that are relevant to map construction and map reading. Students who successfully complete Chapter 2 will be able to:
Chapter lead adapter: Raechel Bianchetti.
See citation to the full text and its precursor below; portions drawn directly from that text.