Lab 7

This first map shows the population breakdown by US county for percent Asian. I used a green-based graduated color system to represent the density of percentage change.  As the map shows, the highest density of asian population percentage are present along the west coast, as well as the Northeast United States.  The more inland off both coasts, the less asians make up a part of the total county population.

This second map shows the population breakdown by US county for percent Black. I used a red-based graduated color system to represent the density of percentage change.  As the map shows, the highest density of black population percentage are present within the Southeast United States.  There also appears to be a slightly higher black population percentages within Southern California. Much of the northern part of the United States is characterized by low densities of black citizens.

The third map shows the population breakdown by US county for percent "Some Other Race". I used a random graduated color system to represent the density of percentage makeup.  As the map shows, the highest density of 'some other race' population percentage are present within the Southwest United States.  The Midwest and Northeast are mainly characterized by counties of low percentages of other races.

I am very impressed with the power and capability of GIS.  My ability to spatially and even temporally manipulate and represent data is extremely important in conveying points in a scholarly manner.  This course has taught me many the basic fundamentals needed to operate the program, yet I still want to learn many more of the advanced functions and processes.   I plan to use GIS in my future work endeavors no matter what field it may be.

Lab #6

The area that I selected is located within the east Bay Area of Northern California.  I found this area particularly interesting because of the fact that it includes deep depressions in elevation from the actual bay, as well as peaks from near hills and mountains. The extent information goes as follows:
N: 38.11969           W: -122.23729
S: 37.50723            E: -121.78501
The coordinate system used for these images is the GCS North American 1983.

Lab 5 part II

Lab 5

Map projections come in a variety of styles and shapes, with each one highlighting different geographical parameters.  The reason for such differences comes from the multitude of ways one can take the three-dimensional surface of the earth and lay them out on a two-dimensional surface.  Depending on which type of distortion has occurred, a specific map projection can show one or more—but never all—of the following: true distances, true directions, true areas, or true shapes.  By understanding the type of distortion that occurs within each projection, one can specifically choose to view a particular projection for the most accurate information on one of these four parameters.  

            Conformal maps are an example of a projection that preserves shapes and angles locally.  This means that on a large-scale, broad shapes and angles will not be accurately represented, thus altering the exact distances between points on the map.  When looking at a 7.5 minute quadrangle map, conformal projections are normally the best option due to the smaller scale.  The common Mercator map is a popular conformal map that is frequently used in today’s society.

            Equal area projections preserve general areas of geographic parameters.  This type of projection helps to fight against maps that contain gargantuan-sized Greenland land-masses, and provides the viewer with a more accurate description of relative area.  Comparison of size between two continents, or even two cities will be much easier and straight-forward.  The drawback to using equal area projections though is the fact that distances are distorted.  If one wants to find a projection that illustrates the clearest distances between objects, an equal area map would not be the best one to choose.

            One final type of map projection is the equidistant model.  These are unique in that distances from the center of the projection to any other place on the map are uniform in all directions.  For someone concerned with exact and precise distance measurements, equidistant projections will provide the most accurate data compared to real-world numbers.  The one draw back though is the fact that area and shape may be distorted in order to account for the equidistance.  

Technical difficulties occurred while re-formatting maps to jpeg form.  I will email the pdf version to Cameran and then try to re-post them as soon as possible on the blog.  Sorry for the inconvenience.