Analyzing Maps, Topography, and Geographic Data

Thematic Maps

• General Information: Identify the type of source (e.g., choropleth, isoline, flow map).
• Geographic Phenomenon: Describe the geographic phenomenon represented (e.g., relief, population density). Refer to the map title and legend.
• Area and Date: Specify the geographic area and date the map refers to.
• Originator: Identify the map's originator.
• Commentary: Provide a geographic definition of the phenomenon represented.
• Location and Distribution: Describe the characteristics of its location or distribution, differentiating between areas.
• Causes and Consequences: Discuss causes and consequences, compare with other countries, and consider expected future trends.

Topographic Maps

• Source Identification: Identify the type of source: basic cartography.
• Leaf Identification: Identify the sheet number, population name, edition, and date.
• Projection System: Identify the projection system used (e.g., cylindrical MTN).
• Coordinates: Establish coordinates, length (top and bottom), latitude (left and right).
• Level Indication: Note the level indication.
• Physical Aspects:
• Relief: The relief is represented by contour lines connecting points of the same altitude. Closer lines indicate a steeper slope. Analyze general topographic characteristics and major landforms (plateaus, valleys, etc.).
• Hydrography: Identify marine and inland waters, noting their relationship with existing settlements and land use.
• Natural Vegetation: Describe the natural vegetation, noting its relationship to relief, hydrography, climate, and human use.
• Human Aspects:
• Land Uses: Describe land uses, such as agricultural (farming, livestock, and forestry), industrial (factories, mines, polygons), and tertiary (transport, indicating its density category).
• Settlements: Note that closer settlements have more established communication channels, while more distant settlements are more separated.
• Toponymy: Include toponymy.

Graphs

• Source Identification: Identify the type of graph (line, bar, or sector).
• Geographic Phenomenon: Describe the geographic phenomenon represented. Consider the graph title and legend, and how the data are provided (absolute or relative).
• Area and Date: Specify the geographic area and date the graph refers to.
• Originator: Identify the graph's originator.
• Commentary:
• Geographic Definition: Provide a geographic definition of the phenomenon represented.
• Evolution or Distribution: Characterize the evolution or distribution represented. If the graph represents evolution, describe the general trend over time (if the numbers increase or decrease from beginning to end) or split the graph into parts (if there are oscillations in the evolution). If it represents distribution, describe the distribution characteristics.
• Causes and Consequences: Discuss causes and consequences, compare with other countries (not always applicable), and consider future trends.

Tables

• Source Identification: Identify the type of source (single or multiple).
• Geographic Phenomenon: Describe the geographic phenomenon represented. Consider the table title and legend.
• Area and Date: Specify the geographic area and date the table refers to.
• Originator: Identify the table's originator.
• Definition: Define the geographic phenomenon represented.
• Evolution and Distribution: Characterize the evolution and distribution of the data series. Describe the general trend (as in graphs).
• Causes and Consequences: Discuss causes and consequences, compare countries, and consider future trends.