Contextualization

Cartography is a discipline that fits within Geography and is related to the graphic representation of the Earth. It is essential for us to understand the geographical space in which we live, its characteristics, and changes over time.

Cartography is divided into two main areas: General Cartography and Thematic Cartography. General Cartography involves the production of location maps, while Thematic Cartography produces maps that represent specific phenomena, such as population distribution, rainfall, among others.

With the evolution of technologies, Cartography has undergone significant changes and adaptations. New methods and tools for map production have emerged, going beyond paper and pen. Today, for example, we have Digital Cartography and Satellite Cartography, which allow for a more precise and real-time representation of the Earth.

In the current world, Cartography is vital in various activities. It is used in urban and rural planning, in locating natural resources, in monitoring climate changes, and in creating strategies for environmental conservation, among others. Without Cartography, it would be much more difficult to make informed decisions about how we use our geographical space.

Furthermore, Cartography is also an important tool for understanding History, as it allows us to visualize historical processes and how they have altered the configuration of spaces over time. Through maps, we can understand, for example, how human migrations occurred and how countries' borders have changed over the centuries.

To delve deeper into this topic, students can consult the following resources:

1. IBGE - Cartography
2. UFRGS - Cartography
3. Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV) - Cartography
4. YouTube - The History of Cartography

Practical Activity

Activity Title: "Mapping Time and Space: A Cartographic Analysis of the Evolution of Your City"

Project Objective:

The objective of this project is to explore the evolution of the urban and geographical landscape of your city over time, through cartography. Students should analyze historical and current maps, observe the changes that have occurred, and identify the factors that influenced these changes.

Detailed Project Description:

Groups of 3 to 5 students will conduct a cartographic investigation by analyzing historical and current maps of their city. They should identify the main changes in the geographical and urban landscape and the factors that influenced these changes.

The investigation should be divided into two main stages:

1. Collection and analysis of historical and current maps.
2. Preparation of a detailed report with the findings and analyses.

Required Materials:

• Internet access for research on historical and current maps.
• Image editing and text processing software for report production.
• History and geography books of the city, if available.

Detailed Step-by-Step for Activity Execution:

1. Research on Historical and Current Maps: Students should research historical maps of their city on the internet, in libraries, and public archives. It will also be necessary to obtain a current map for comparison.

2. Map Analysis: Once the maps are collected, students should carefully analyze them, identifying the main changes that have occurred over time. These changes may include alterations in street layouts, construction of new buildings, population growth, changes in land use, among others.

3. Identification of Factors: After identifying the changes, students should investigate the factors that influenced these changes. They can research in books, newspapers, scientific articles, and interview older residents to complement their findings.

4. Report Preparation: Finally, students should prepare a detailed report on what they have learned. The report should include an introduction with the project's contextualization, a development section where they report the methodology used and the results obtained, a conclusion section where they summarize their findings and reflections on the project, and a bibliography section where they list all the sources used.

The report should be organized in a clear and coherent manner, showing the connection between the evidence found in the maps and the conclusions drawn by the students.

The report should also contain images of the analyzed maps, with notes and highlights indicating the main changes found.

Students will have one month to complete the project.