Project: Imagination World Map: A Cartographic Adventure

Background

Our modern life is full of maps. They are on our smartphones, on road signs, in museums. Even in the TV series we watch, such as Game of Thrones, for example, there are maps. But have you ever wondered how maps are created? How do they manage to represent a curved surface, like the Earth, on a flat surface, like a sheet of paper? And what about the scales, why are they so important? This project will address the study of cartographic representations and scales, two fundamental tools for understanding the world around us.

Cartographic representations are ways of representing the world or part of it on a flat surface. They can be of different types: physical, political, thematic, among others. Scales, on the other hand, are mathematical tools that allow us to understand the proportions of the elements represented on maps. That is, they tell us how much smaller or larger an object or distance was represented on the map in relation to its actual size or distance.

Understanding these concepts is essential for a correct and efficient reading of maps. Imagine, for example, that you are planning a road trip without using a GPS. When you look at the map, how will you know the real distance between cities? Or, in a historical context, how did ancient navigators know if they were near or far from their destination? This is where the importance of studying scales comes in.

In addition to practical use, the study of cartographic representations and scales also plays an important role in our understanding of the world. It enables us to understand how geographical information is organised, the power relations and geopolitics present in the creation of maps, among other aspects.

To begin our investigation into this fascinating topic, I suggest you consult the following resources:

1. Book "The Nature and Practice of Geography", by John R. Stimson. This book is an excellent introduction to Geography and has an entire chapter dedicated to cartographic representations and scales.

2. The website Mundo Educação (https://www.mundoeducacao.uol.com.br/), has a section dedicated to Geography, with several texts that explain the concepts of scales and cartographic representations in a clear and detailed way.

3. Documentary "The Power of Maps", available on YouTube, explores the history and importance of maps in our society.

Read, explore and discuss among yourselves. Together, let's discover the fascinating world of cartographic representations and scales!

Practical Activity

"From Paper to Global: Building Our Own Maps"

Project Objective

The main objective of this project is to apply the theoretical knowledge about cartographic representations and scales in the creation of a map, allowing students to have a practical understanding of these concepts and to stimulate team collaboration.

Detailed Project Description

Students, divided into groups of 3 to 5, will choose a location in their city or neighbourhood to create a map. They should think of a title for the map, identify points of interest and, above all, establish an appropriate scale for the representation.

The maps should include:

1. Title
2. Scale
3. North indicated
4. Symbols or legend
5. Points of interest

It is important that when choosing the scale, the students pay attention to the space available on the paper, as well as to the level of detail they want to achieve.

Materials Needed

1. Measuring tape
2. Pencils and coloured pens
3. A3 paper or cardboard
4. Ruler
5. Eraser
6. Computer with internet access (for research)

Detailed Step-by-Step

1. Form the groups and distribute the materials
2. Choose the location to be mapped: it can be the school, a park, a neighbourhood, etc.
3. Visit the chosen location to collect data: measurements (use the measuring tape to measure distances), identify points of interest, etc.
4. Discuss in the group and decide on the scale to be used. Remember to take into account the size of the paper and the level of detail you intend to achieve.
5. Draw the map on paper, following the chosen scale.
6. Include points of interest and other necessary elements (title, legend, direction of north, etc.).
7. Review the map as a group, checking for accuracy and clarity of representation.

Project Deliverables

The groups should submit the final version of the map produced along with a written report, which should contain:

1. Introduction: Contextualisation of the theme, relevance in the real world, objective of the project and description of the chosen location for mapping.
2. Development: Explanation of the cartographic representation and scale concepts used, details of the activity carried out, the methodology used and discussion of the results obtained.
3. Conclusion: Review of the main points, lessons learned and conclusions about the project.
4. Bibliography: Indication of the sources used for the elaboration of the project.

The report should be written in a clear and objective way, highlighting the understanding of the concepts studied and their practical application in the creation of the map. The report and the map will be the main indicators of learning and application of knowledge about cartographic representations and scales.