Geography 201 • Human Geography • Dr. Sarah Bednarz • Spring 2008 Activity 1 Introduction There are several objectives to this activity. You will: l) think geographically (the spatial perspective), 2) produce and interpret two maps, 3) answer a series of questions about the maps, and 4) review the locations of the states of the United States (which you already know--that is why it is a review!!). In class we discussed two key ideas: 1) that geographers "see the world in spatial terms" and 2) that the scale of analysis (one category vs. four; local scale, state scale, national scale) determines the patterns and relationships we can observe. We also discussed the tools geographers use to see patterns and to understand why things are where they are. One of the most important tools is the map. As you produce the maps for this activity, remember that you are not "just coloring maps," you are organizing spatial information in categories in order to analyze it and draw conclusions. Procedure 1. Fill in the required information (state, land area, population) on the accompanying worksheet. Use 2000 census data. Finding accurate information is your first task. Population data can be found on the web http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/respop.html and land area can be found in the Statistical Abstract of the United States in the Library in the Reference Section or on-line as a PDF file at http://www.census.gov/prod/2001pubs/statab/sec06.pdf . Use data for LAND AREA (not including bodies of water). 2. Use this formula: Population Density = Population/Land Area to calculate the arithmetic density for each state and the entire United States. Do not include the District of Columbia in your calculations. Be sure to record your correct answers in the accompanying table. You do not need to hand in the table, just the maps and your analysis of the maps. Hint: To calculate the average for the entire United States, first, add the population for each of the 50 states. Then add the total land area for each state. Last, divide the TOTAL population by the TOTAL land area. 3. Map 1: On the map of the United States, using a different color or pattern for each, indicate those states which have a population density GREATER than the United States average, and those states with a population density LESS THAN the United States average. Hint: The convention is lighter color = less; darker color = more. Try to use your lightest shade for the least category and darkest color for the greatest category. Be sure to label your map following TODALSIGs, with a detailed and descriptive title.Geography 201 • Human Geography • Dr. Sarah Bednarz • Spring 2008 4. Map 2: Now, look at this information from a different, more detailed scale of analysis. On the second map of the United States, using a different color or pattern for each, indicate: • states with a population density LESS THAN the U.S. average. • states with a population density GREATER THAN the U.S. average • states with a population density GREATER THAN TWICE the U.S. average pop. density • states with a population density GREATER THAN FOUR TIMES the U.S. average pop. density • states with a population density GREATER THAN EIGHT TIMES the U.S. average pop. density For example, if you calculate that the average is 75, you would have five categories of states: • less than 75 • 75-150 (greater than average) • 151-300 (greater than twice) • 301-600 (greater than four times) • 601 + (greater than eight times) Hint: The convention is lighter color = less; darker color = more. Try to use your lightest shade for the least category and darkest color for the greatest category. Be sure to label your map following TODALSIGs, with a detailed and descriptive title. 5. Thinking like a geographer requires looking at issues from a variety of perspectives and at a variety of scales of analysis. Answer these questions on a separate sheet of paper (type) and attach to the two maps. Staple with the cover sheet on top. A. Analyze Map 1. What patterns can be seen in the distribution of population densities by state? B. Analyze Map 2. What patterns can be seen in terms of the distribution of the population density on this map? Do you observe clusters of population or is population evenly dispersed across the US? C. Compare the first map and the second map. How does the detail of the data (two categories versus five categories) affect the way in which the population density is interpreted and the patterns you observe? D. Which map would you use to determine the best place to market a new product?