Contextualization

Geography is a discipline that explores the relationship between man and the environment in which he lives. Maps are essential tools in this field, used to represent the surface of planet Earth and all its characteristics. They help us understand the world, from a microscale, like a house plan, to a macroscale, like a map of a country or the entire world. This ability to understand and interpret maps is known as cartography.

Maps come in various types, each serving a specific purpose. Some are used to depict the geographical location of a place, others to show physical features like mountains and rivers, some are used to display information about climate, population, and even political history. In this project, we will explore different types of maps and their characteristics, as well as understand how they are created and interpreted.

The ability to read and interpret maps is a valuable skill in today's world. With easy access to information about places and directions through mobile devices and the Internet, map reading has become a necessary skill in many aspects of daily life. Furthermore, understanding the importance of borders and how they are created is crucial to grasp geopolitics and international relations. This is where Geography intersects with History, allowing us to understand how the world has come to be as it is today.

Our journey through this world of cartography will be enriching and challenging. You will have the opportunity to dive into a world full of possibilities and unravel the secrets hidden in the lines and colors of maps. So, get ready for this adventure!

To delve deeper into the topics that will be covered in this project, we suggest consulting the following resources:

• Book "Cartography: notions of physical and political geography" by Alfredo Balena.
• IBGE Educa website which provides concepts and activities on Cartography.
• Nostalgia channel video on Youtube that, in a playful way, explains the importance of maps.

Practical Activity

Activity Title: The Journey of Cartographers

Project Objective

The objective of this project is to encourage students to explore cartography, history, and culture, engaging them to understand the process of map creation and how they reflect the reality of the world in different historical and cultural contexts.

Detailed Project Description

Each group of 3 to 5 students will create a set of maps that reflect different aspects of a fictional country. This fictional country will have several regions with different geographical, climatic, and cultural characteristics. Students will have to create a map for each region that shows these characteristics, as well as a general map showing the country as a whole and its borders. Students will also need to investigate how borders are defined and represented on maps and apply this concept to their own map.

Required Materials

1. Cardboard paper of various sizes.
2. Colored pens, markers, and colored pencils.
3. Ruler and compass.
4. Scissors and glue.
5. Books and Internet resources for research.

Detailed Step-by-Step for Activity Execution

1. Divide the class into groups of 3 to 5 students.
2. Instruct each group to create their own fictional country, with unique geography, climate, borders, and culture.
3. Have each group research and understand how borders are defined and represented on a map.
4. Each group should then create several maps, one for each region of the fictional country, showing its geography, climate, borders, and culture.
5. Each group should also create a general map of the fictional country showing all its regions and borders.
6. At the end, the groups should present their work to the class, explaining what each map represents and how each was created.

Project Deliverables

As the groups carry out the activity, they must document all their research, decisions, and processes in a written report. This report should be divided into four sections: Introduction, Development, Conclusion, and Bibliography.

1. Introduction: Students should contextualize the project, explaining what maps are, their importance in society, and how they relate to culture and history. They should also describe the fictional country they created and the purpose of each of the maps they created.

2. Development: In this section, students should describe in detail the process of creating the maps, the research they conducted, the decisions made, and the challenges encountered. They should also discuss how borders were defined and represented on their maps.

3. Conclusion: Students should reflect on the experience of creating the maps, what they learned during the process, and how this experience relates to what they have learned about geography and history. They should also discuss how this activity contributed to the development of skills such as teamwork, time management, and creative thinking.

4. Bibliography: Students should list all the resources they used for research and inspiration throughout the project. Encourage them to diversify their sources and acknowledge the work of others.

In addition to the written report, the final practical activity - the created maps - must be submitted. Both will be part of the final evaluation.