Maps as Things: What is a Map? 321 Definitions

Defining "map," visualizing definitions with a word cloud, and thinking about it all

This material is aimed at students using Making Maps: A Visual Guide to Map Design for GIS but is certainly a joy for anyone to peruse and engage.

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Making Maps: A Visual Guide to Map Design for GIS is about making maps. But what is a map? The book does not define what a map is! The first edition did, but that was a mistake (see below). It’s tough to define what a map is, but worth discussing.

Group question and discussion: What is a map?

Maps as Things: What is a Map? 321 Definitions

A few definitions:

Map: a “spatial representation of reality” (a generic map definition)

• spatial: consisting of at least two dimensions and usually referring to geographic space

• representation: something that stands for something else (in our case, something in the human or physical environment)

• reality “the state of things as they actually exist.”

Map: “A graphic statement that locates facts.” (From Making Maps, 1st edition, 2005)

• Graphic: A visual display of marks that stand for something else. An airplane shape on a map implies an airport.

• Statement: To put forth information, a formal embodiment of facts or assertions.

• Locating facts: Tangible and intangible phenomena located in geographic space: what we can see (roads, rivers) and what we cannot see (temperature, radiation), varying in amount (population) and kind (vegetation types).

• But: “My show shoes are in my basement”: is this statement a map?

  • graphic: visual marks (letters, words)

  • statement: it sure is

  • locating facts: my snow shoes are in my basement!

• This is why we stopped trying to define what a map is in Making Maps.

There are even more definitions! Take a look at this fascinating article: 321 Definitions of Map

Group Exercise

1. Sort yourself into groups around a computer. Introduce yourselves.

2. Open up  321 Definitions of Map

3. Open up the WordArt word cloud generator. Or something similar.

   1. copy the 321 definitions (the list without the citations and citation numbers)

   2. click on import

   3. paste the 321 definitions

   4. click on shapes and select a circle or square (scroll down) and hit visualize

   5. (you can change options, just hit visualize to reset the word cloud)

4. Discuss your word cloud and what your group thinks about the definitions of the word “map.” Appoint a group spokesperson and come up with a quick summary and two questions to discuss.

5. Round the room discussion.