Contextualization

Cartography is a science that studies the geographical representations of the Earth's space. Its objective is to create maps that are capable of visually translating complex information, such as geography, history, and the culture of a location. Cartography is concerned not only with technical accuracy but also with the reception, interpretation, and use of information by map users.

In maps, time and space intertwine. Through them, we can travel to distant places without leaving our location and revisit the past or imagine the future. By studying maps, we learn about the geography, history, politics, culture, and even the art of the places they represent.

Maps have a variety of real-world uses. They are essential for orientation and navigation, both on land and at sea. They are important planning and decision-making tools in many areas, such as military strategies, urban planning, geology, meteorology, tourism, among others. Additionally, maps help us understand and interpret the world we live in, assisting us in identifying patterns, trends, and connections that may not be immediately obvious.

The importance of maps transcends the simple act of showing where things are located in a geographic space. They are powerful tools that allow us to understand how space is organized and how it has changed (and continues to change) over time. With the digital revolution, maps have become even more indispensable, as the internet and GPS devices heavily rely on them.

To continue your learning journey about the fascinating world of cartography, we suggest the following reliable online resources:

1. Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE): IBGE offers a variety of educational resources about Brazil, including a set of pages dedicated to cartography.
2. Teacher's Portal - MEC: This MEC resource offers a collection of lessons on various aspects of cartography, including the history, principles, and techniques of maps.
3. YouTube - Nerdologia Channel: This video from the Nerdologia channel presents an interesting and accessible overview of the history and importance of cartography.

Practical Activity

Activity Title:

"Mapping our Local History: A Cartographic Journey Through Time"

Project Objective:

The main objective of this project is to allow students to apply the theories and skills of Cartography to understand the evolution of space and time in their region.

Detailed Project Description:

Students will work in groups of 3 to 5 people to carry out this task. They should choose a location in their city, which can be the neighborhood where the school is located, the neighborhood where they live, or a place of historical importance to the city.

This location will be the subject of study for the group, which will search for old and current maps of this location, observing the physical and temporal changes that have occurred over time. Based on these maps, students will create a cartographic timeline, highlighting the main changes in the landscape and the relationship of these changes with relevant historical events.

Required Materials:

• Internet access for researching maps and historical data
• Materials for creating physical maps (paper, colored pencils, ruler, etc.) or drawing software for creating digital maps

Detailed Step-by-Step for Activity Execution:

1. Group Formation and Choice of Study Location: Students should organize themselves into groups of 3 to 5 people. The groups must choose a place in the city to be the subject of the project.

2. Map Research: The groups should conduct an online search to find old and current maps of the chosen location. Prefer maps that offer a clear view of the physical changes that have occurred over time.

3. Creation of the Cartographic Timeline: Based on the maps found, the groups must create a timeline showing the changes that have occurred in the chosen area. The timeline should highlight the main historical events and how they influenced the landscape.

4. Project Report Elaboration: The groups must write a report describing the work done. The report should be divided into four sections: Introduction, Development, Conclusion, and Bibliography.

   • Introduction: Briefly describe the chosen location, the reason for the choice, the project's objectives, and its relevance in the real world.
   • Development: Explain the applied cartography theory, the activity carried out in detail, the methodology used, and the results obtained with the creation of the cartographic timeline. Include details on how they researched the maps, the main changes observed in the maps, the difficulties faced, and how they overcame them.
   • Conclusion: Summarize the main points discussed in the development and explain what they learned from the project, the insights gained, and the skills developed.
   • Bibliography: List the sources used, including websites, books, videos, among others.

5. Project Presentation: The groups must present the project to the class, displaying the cartographic timeline, explaining the main changes observed, and their historical significance.

This project will take an average of two to four hours for each student, and the deadline for submission will be one week. In the end, students will have developed research, collaboration, communication, cartographic analysis, and critical reflection skills, as well as a greater understanding of space and time in their region.