Quiz 1

Question 1- In order to be a good cartographer, one must first understand that maps are constructed by overlapping layers of information on top of one another. Therefore, the cartographer must possess excellent analytical skills to be able to anazlyze data, create the necessary layers, and organize them into a map that anyone should be able to view and understand. Also, the cartographer must have a sense of what works visually in order not to create a confusing mix of colors, shapes, and words. Finally, the cartographer must be able to understand the needs of his client and be able to translate those needs into an easy-to-use visual representation.

Question 2- A good map must first be easy to look at. While this sounds simple, it is imperative that the user be able to identify what information he is looking for on the map. Also, a good map contains features pertinent to the map topic (i.e. elevation markers on a topographic map) and corresponding attributes related to those features presented in a user-friendly way, as well as iconic imagery to make things readily identifiable. A bad map is one that is not user-friendly, perhaps by using color schemes that are hard to look at, making it hard to read words and data contained in the map. Also, bad maps may have incorrect layering and jumbled or confusing features or no labeling of important data.