INTRODUCTION TO GIS

CREDIT=2
Theory Hours = 32
Practical = 18
Internal=2
Assignment=as required

Final
Theory 80 marks
Practical 10+10
10 from external
10 from internals and assignment
INTRODUCTION TO MAPS
 WHAT IS A MAP?

A map is a picture or representation of the Earth's surface,

showing how things are related to each other by distance,
direction, and size. Maps are a way of showing many things
about a portion of the earth's surface on a flat piece of paper
that can be carried and transported easily. A map is not a
photograph of the Earth's surface. It can show many things
that a picture cannot show, and as a result, a map looks
different in many ways from a photograph of the Earth's
surface.

Maps have been used for centuries. A person who creates map
as a profession is called a cartographer
USES OF MAPS?

 Today maps are used by people to find places they have not
seen. Let’s say you are asked to find the nearest high school
from your house. You could walk aimlessly from your house
and hope you find a school.

 However, if you were thinking, you would use a local map

to help locate the nearest high school. The scale on the map
can help you determine the distance and the legend reveals
what map symbol is a high school. The direction in which
you should walk can also be determined. However, you may
need a compass to walk in the direction. Let’s learn about
other types of maps and their uses.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF MAPS
 Topographical
 Thematic map
 Cadastral
 Tourist
 Resource etc.
TOPOGRAPHIC MAPS
 Topographic maps show a 3 dimensional world in 2
dimensions by using contour lines. Many people have
trouble reading these maps, because they have mountains
and valleys are represented with concentric circles and
lines.

 In modern mapping, a topographic map is a type

of map characterized by large-scale detail and quantitative
representation of relief, using contour lines but,
historically, using a variety of methods. Traditional
definitions require a topographic map to show both
natural and man-made features.
COMPONENT AND APPLICATION
Components

Contours
Natural and man-made features
Hydrographic features
Grids etc.

Application

 Many hikers use topographic maps, especially in areas where there

are no roads with signs.
 Geologists depend on topographic maps to record the types of rocks.
 Engineers use topographic maps when they are planning roads,
buildings, or other human–made structures.
 Imagine designing a city without considering where hills and valleys
are located!
CADASTRAL MAPS
Cadastre is a technical term for the records showing the extent,
value and ownership (or other basis for use or occupancy) of land.
The information recorded includes an accurate description of the
location of a parcel of land and who owns it. It may also record
what the land can be used for (eg residential or not, national
park etc) and may also show the location and shape of
buildings. In some countries it also records the value of a
property, in these cases the cadastre may also be used for land
taxation purposes.

A cadastral map is a map which provides detailed information

about real property within a specific area. A simple example of a
cadastral map might be a map of a village which shows the
boundaries of all of the parcels or lots within the village,
although cadastral maps can show other types of areas as well.
These maps are usually maintained by the government, and they
are a matter of public record; anyone who wishes to go to the
office which maintains the records can ask to see them.
COMPONENTS AND APPLICATIONS
Components

Parcel: parcel is a
Parcel number, buildings, taps
Roads, rivers etc in large scale
Applications

 It carries detailed information about location

 These maps do not just show the boundaries of lot lines, they provide measurements on
each lot
 A cadastral map also highlights specific landmarks which people can use to orient
themselves within the map, including buildings and natural features such as lakes and
streams.
 The map also provides people with information about property rights, and a history of
the rights in that area
 Cadastral maps can show who retains mining or timber rights, for example, in contrast
with who owns the land.
 Maps can also detail how the land is being used, so that people interested in land use
patterns can easily identify areas of interest.
TOURIST MAP
 A geographic map designed for tourists is a tourist map.

 include such common geographic features as

 road networks, population
enters, rivers, lakes, forests, and land relief,
 as well as items of special tourist interest, including archite
ctural and
 historical landmarks,
preserves, national parks, museums, hotels,
 tourist centres, and camping sites.
 Such maps serve to acquaint tourists with a given district a
nd
provide information on possible travel routes, on the locatio
n of specific landmarks, and on the availability of tourist se
rvices.
RESOURCES MAP
 Map of world resources show the vast expanse
of natural resources available on and in the
surface of earth through maps. Abundance of
natural resources occur naturally and are hidden
in the surface of earth.

Natural forest cover of the world, world map of

natural vegetation, world map of minerals and
seven natural worlds are just of the few famous
maps of the natural resources maps section.
Apart from these maps this section also has a
comprehensive map of major exploration of the
world.
OTHER MAPS
Other maps include
 A geologic map is a map of the different types of rocks that are on
the surface of the Earth. By mapping different rock types, geologists
can determine the relationships between different rock formations
which can then be used to find mineral resources, oil, and gravel
deposits. Also, you want to know what type of rock you are building
on or else you might have a Leaning Tower of Pisa or a pile of rubble
after a strong earthquake
 ENVIRONMENTAL MAPS

 These types of maps include maps that look at human's activity in

urban and metropolitan areas and the environment in which we all
live. Maps that illustrate physiographic features such as forests,
grassland, woodland, tundra, grazing land, ocean floors, and ocean
sediments could be included in this large grouping.
 Meteorological maps that show climate, weather and wind are
types of environmental maps. Meteorologists, oceanographers,
geographers, city planners, and many other professionals depend
greatly on these maps to record and forecast their specific field.
 THANK YOU