What is a Map? Crash Course Geography #2

From navigating a cross-country road trip (or just finding the nearest coffee shop), to analyzing election results, maps play a huge role in how we interpret the world! Today, we're going to talk about the differences between reference maps and thematic maps, take a closer look at how projections play a part in how we perceive maps, and discuss the role of the cartographer (or map maker) in all of this. Maps are incredibly powerful tools and play a crucial role in how we understand the world, but they are also made by people, so it is our job to think critically about how these stories are being presented to us.

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Eric Prestemon, Mark, DAVID MORTON HUDSON, Perry Joyce, Isaac Liu, Scott Harrison, Mark & Susan Billian, Junrong Eric Zhu, Alan Bridgeman, Jennifer Smith, Matt Curls, Tim Kwist, Jonathan Zbikowski, Jennifer Killen, Sarah & Nathan Catchings, Brandon Westmoreland, team dorsey, Trevin Beattie, Eric Koslow, Indika Siriwardena, Khaled El Shalakany, Shawn Arnold, Siobhán, Ken Penttinen, Nathan Taylor, William McGraw, Jirat, Brian Thomas Gossett, Ian Dundore, Jason A Saslow, Jessica Wode, Caleb Weeks
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[stulog]

I took a catography course when I was in college. The first thing we were asked on the first day of class was, "what do all maps have in common?" After some students gave answers guessing about keys or map colors or such, the teacher gave up and she told us, "WRONG! The only thing that all maps have in common is that they lie!" To emphasize the point she wrote "MAPS LIE!!!" in huge letters on the dry erase board. She then spent the rest of the class period showing us a large variety of maps she had collected over the years and explaining to us how each and every one was lying to us. I took that class 14 years ago now, but I still remember that entire lesson like I had just gotten it yesterday.

[bleankdallas]

Now I'm going to become a cartographer and for my first project I'll make a map of the distribution of crash course fans all around the world

[katelynekowalsky]

I've been a cartographer for years and always struggle to find great intro material to explaining what I do. Thanks CC, I'm so excited to share what I do in a really simple explanation. Remember y'all- all maps lie!

[radagastwiz]

As a GIS student this was very cool to see. A lot of the key areas in the field were made straightforward and accessible - great job!

[nutshellexplains]

What is a map? Me who’s watched Dora... it’s the map it’s the map 🗺

[ss]

I'm obsessed with maps all over my house, how can I get a print of that "coffee map" at the beginning of this video? I seriously need that in my kitchen 😩

[CAD]

It's really surprising when someone finds out the practical value of a map, and how are they present in almost every way on our lives. And that almost everyting can be mapped!
I pretty much make my living doing maps on GIS, and teaching cartography, It's really interesting and "colorfull", specially today when you can map everything anywhere thanks to satellite imagery, from one way of the world to the other, in your own house.

What a wonderfull age to be a geographer with all those tools just a click away

[maxosall]

This course is exciting, I'm loving it

[thomaspalazzolo]

"What is a map? A miserable little pile of secrets!"

[elihinze]

I love maps so, so much. They're one of my favorite topics, and they can be so deceptive and informative all at once! So happy to see the series talk about this.

[MarcusWolfWanders]

this opened my eyes a bit more to the ways people influence our view of the world with the most mundane of things/concepts

[TristanDoingGood]

"A miserable little pile of secrets" Dracula 1997.

[MysticVokkai]

I'm loving this series so far! I wonder if she'll discuss mental maps that govern our perceptions of reality and others

[GeographyGeek]

Will definitely use this for my 8th grade geography class as a review.

[Krustenkaese]

4:10 "But it's a simplification that could mislead someone if they're not paying close attention... like we are."
Oh wow, she described all my high school years in one sentence :O

[chrissiek]

Reminded me of West Wing episode, where Josh and CG meets cartographers for social equality society, and CG reaction at the end 😅

[ParadymShiftVegan]

Brilliant episode once again CC. Thanks so much for this *GOLD!* I'll join your patreon community once I have a job again (;

I was really impressed with this episode all around once again! y'all definitely have some of the best teaching content online, bar none. I'm super thankful to have access to such in-depth and valuable information.

sending all the good vibes your way 😁✌️☮️🌍💯

[Sw-qczo]

Excited for this series! Just think it's unfair to say paiting the USSR as red on a map is propaganda as red was their national color.

[regetonkevin]

I’ve been waiting so long for this one.
I’m glad it’s finally out. :)

[FlesHBoX]

The graphic of someone rowing a sailing boat backwards broke my brain, lol