Map Critique #10

This is a proportional symbol map created to emphasize the consumption of the people worldwide of Starbucks coffee and McDonalds fastfood. 

The graphs below the map are important, but aesthetically speaking, it would be better if they are smaller or they are on the other layout or page.

This is a nice map because it is very informative and some necessary elements are present. However, it would be better if the world map used was bigger so the proportional symbol were emphasized more. Also, the map has no title and source. In presenting this kind of information, the cartographer must assure that a reference/s will be presented also. And eventhough the map itself present its purpose, a title should still be provided.

map source:

http://tobydesign.blogspot.com/2006_09_01_archive.html

Map Critique #9

This is a proportional symbol map of the individuals in USA who are not committed. This is one of the most interesting and unusual map. 

One obvious mistake in this map is that the cartographer didn't provided a title and a scale. This map would also be better if there is an inset. Eventhough USA is famous, an inset must still be provided in order to emphasize where it is actually on the world map. 

Also, the cartographer provided a label on selected cities only. He/she must provide the labels for all city or do not put label on any. 

map source: 

http://www.google.com.ph/imglanding?q=interesting+maps&um=1&hl=tl&sa=N&biw=1024&bih=499&tbs=isch:1&tbnid=O3DcMhjTKiDUsM:&imgrefurl=http://wehrintheworld.blogspot.com/2009_04_01_archive.html&imgurl=http://creativeclass.com/whos_your_city/maps/FIG_13.1_The_Singles_Map.gif&ei=kWZzTaT5KYb0cb218PgC&zoom=1&w=680&h=662&iact=hc&oei=62VzTf-0LorNrQeT_enSCg&page=17&tbnh=164&tbnw=168&start=141&ndsp=8&ved=1t:429,r:7,s:141

Map Critique #8

This is one of the most interesting map I've encounter. It is the visual representation or explanation on the happiness or the level of happiness of the different groups of people in the world.

Obviously, America is the happiest place according to this map. While Africa and Europe are not that happy and Asia is average.

However, this map lacks many things. First is source. This map is trying to convey information on the audience, therefore it must have source or reference to prove the information given in this map. Because it has no sources, this can't be consider reliable. In fact, this map might be a bias map especially on the west because what this map trying to say is westerns are more contended in their life than others do. This can be consider as a propaganda map.

Also, this map has no scale, and orientation. Nonetheless, the map maker used nice set of graduated color. The color used was appropriate on the subject of the map which is happiness because lively colors like this are often associated with happiness.

map source:
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://selfinterestandsympathy.files.wordpress.com/2007/11/happinessmap-710428.jpg&imgrefurl=http://selfinterestandsympathy.wordpress.com/2007/11/18/two-interesting-maps/&usg=__ra2t7w5hK03JTEuWRI44JHNKFYk=&h=545&w=800&sz=41&hl=en&start=24&sig2=I4UuhnRJrdFHafGOAktPoQ&zoom=1&tbnid=fWEJffG11fdRXM:&tbnh=152&tbnw=223&ei=U2FzTcmPLY2gvgPy1-i9AQ&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dinteresting%2Bmaps%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D1024%26bih%3D499%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=144&vpy=225&dur=446&hovh=185&hovw=272&tx=168&ty=156&oei=tmBzTdcSifKtB5ebqNMK&page=4&ndsp=8&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:24

Map Critique #7

Proposed Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities

This is a proposed map of bike lane and pedestrian facility by the Planning Department of Elk Grove Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. Obviously, the map has no specific title. The map maker didn't indicate where is this place. Therefore, this map develop confusion.

Also, this map lacks several essential elements, such as the scale and the orientation. But the complete legend redeem the incompleteness of this map. Also, the color used was nice and the labels were clear. But I think, more labels must be provided. And because this is a proposed map, I think source is not that important, but still, needed (for the date in the main map).

The map was properly digitized and the boundaries were clear.

map source:
http://www.google.com.ph/imglanding?q=proposed+bicycle+and+pedestrian+facility+of+elk+grove&um=1&hl=tl&tbs=isch:1&tbnid=QhGoeEijbHDPuM:&imgrefurl=http://www.egplanning.org/projects/bikeway/&imgurl=http://www.egplanning.org/images/maps/existing_proposed_bikeway_facilities_map_070104.jpg&ei=AmJzTa_lNM7zcbKWrPsC&zoom=1&w=1012&h=652&iact=hc&oei=AmJzTa_lNM7zcbKWrPsC&page=1&tbnh=97&tbnw=151&start=0&ndsp=17&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0&biw=1024&bih=499

Map Critique #6

Map of World Internet Penetration

This map is the map of internet penetration released by the World Bank and was published at Geocurrents.blogspot.com. It is an easy visualization of how countries are becoming reliant on internet and virtual mobility. It is obvious that the intervention of internet is almost 100% in North America and part of Europe.

At first glance, this is a nice map because it convey message to the audience despite of its simplicity. People will easily understand the map because of the title and the appropriate use of one color gradient. Also, the color gradient used was nice and appropriate because blue color is often associated with technology related materials.

Nonetheless, this map is lack with a very necessary detail that it must have, source. This is a map of internet penetration so it will be reliable if the map maker had presented the sources or evidences that he used which lead him to conclude this kind of map. Due to that factor, this map might become questionable.

map source:
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsdsI_8DsVELvG_d9G9zTjsyvTSCuxHyNee-dUdAHXPoazj1yF0MsDmDtNSmR-c5ubU67qD1vSSvjI4N-C8MCq8OCyONsPNXQkMnWuv1kP96MkicZy1JoPeJ4JiZA0y85QnM9ECua-wWg/s320/Inter44.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.blogcatalog.com/blogs/geocurrents-history-and-georpaphy-of-current-global-events&usg=__Wd5pii7C1pvQlJvuGvZimztxZXc=&h=170&w=320&sz=16&hl=en&start=113&sig2=zlChZnWRDrF20PiSD0sIdA&zoom=1&tbnid=p3gr9ZWiGlACfM:&tbnh=102&tbnw=192&ei=U5dzTcmrB9OWcciU_PgC&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dmap%2Bof%2Bworld%2Binternet%2Bpenetration%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D1024%26bih%3D499%26tbs%3Disch:10,4763&um=1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=2154&oei=JZdzTbadAsq4rAe8m4TVCg&page=14&ndsp=8&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:113&tx=113&ty=50&biw=1024&bih=499

Map Critique #5

Base map of Blue Nile River Basin

This is a base map of Blue Nile River Basin used for the introduction to Spatial Database Development at University of Texas at Austin.

Looking the map only creates curiosity to the audience because of its lack of details. The 5 digit number labels have no clear purpose and these numbers overlap in the lines that served as boundaries in the map. Also, the map maker didn’t present a scale and a legend. Audience might get confuse on the purpose of blue lines, and the difference in the thickness. The inset wasn't provided too. This is important because the audience of the map might come from other parts of the world and not aware with the location of Africa in the world map. It has no title and sources too. 

For me, this map is not a good map, however, it has a potential. Developing it might produce a better map.

map source:
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.crwr.utexas.edu/gis/gishyd98/atlas/exercise/ex7/webfiles/Basemap.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.crwr.utexas.edu/gis/gishyd98/atlas/exercise/ex7/webfiles/ex7af.htm&usg=__oFuz2vUe3BKPDVMYksjPAvyVMLE=&h=519&w=497&sz=22&hl=en&start=0&sig2=RZH3DuhTDaEJnyvvE927YA&zoom=1&tbnid=5QLkds2r1jkb5M:&tbnh=119&tbnw=114&ei=8ZdzTbibJY60rAeCpeDRCg&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dbase%2Bmap%2Bof%2Bnile%2Briver%2Bbasin%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D1024%26bih%3D499%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=128&vpy=75&dur=554&hovh=229&hovw=220&tx=108&ty=76&oei=8ZdzTbibJY60rAeCpeDRCg&page=1&ndsp=21&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0

Map Critique #4

This map is one of the versions of several hilarious map of how United States of America see the world. On its perception, the south is the land of cocaine and coffee, Africa is just an empty area, Asia is a combination of oil, Microsoft and Nike producers, and a war freak community.

People might find this map offending because of its sarcastic representation of regions in the world. But we must also consider that this map is somewhat a picture of reality, it was just expressed in an exaggerated way.

For me, this map is one of the negative uses of map which is for propaganda. And as a student of Cartography, this is not a good example and this kind of maps must be avoided because just what i stated before, this is offending especially for the Asians, Europeans or to other races.

map source:
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://frecklescassie.files.wordpress.com/2007/04/consumer-map.jpg&imgrefurl=http://frecklescassie.wordpress.com/2007/04/&usg=__HUTUoEwWogrVOA4UqUaIa5WpTqM=&h=450&w=870&sz=145&hl=en&start=0&sig2=5AxsbUrlDyzDDXrDLNI0Yw&zoom=1&tbnid=cpqYvqhimYvazM:&tbnh=80&tbnw=155&ei=cphzTdujDcnYrQeMsrjTCg&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dmap%2Bof%2Bhow%2Bamerica%2Bsee%2Bthe%2Bworld%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26biw%3D1024%26bih%3D499%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=90&vpy=96&dur=1568&hovh=161&hovw=312&tx=133&ty=57&oei=cphzTdujDcnYrQeMsrjTCg&page=1&ndsp=15&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0

plates 3-8: Cordillera Administrative Region

Map Critique #3

Makati City, Philippines 

This is a map of Makati city, one of the central business districts in the Philippines.

This is relatively a nice map because it showcased essential details. It has an almost complete labels (streets, establishment, etc. ). But this map doesn't have orientation and legend. And the most disturbing feature of this map is the layer of grids above the main map. Also, the cartographer did not provide a title and a source.

This map must be developed in order to produce a better one.




map source:
http://www.asiatravel.com/makatimap.html

Map Critique #2

 Vicinity map of De La Salle University - Manila

This map is a vicinity map of one of the biggest academic institution or university in the Philippines, the De La Salle University - Manila. DLSU - Manila occupies at least  four hectares lot along Taft, Manila. Along its vicinity are other colleges and universities. And this map was published in the university's website.

This map is a nice map for me because this is a user friendly map. For students who haven't taken any Cartography related course, this map is very easy to interpret. Labels and boundaries are clear.

But like other map makers common mistake, this map must have a scale and legend. Also, this map is like a land use map but the map maker didn't specify the particular land use in the area.


map source:
http://www.dlsu.edu.ph/inside/

Map Critique #1

 Map of Prague - capital of Czech Republic

This map is a map of Prague, Czech Republic. It was published by checkinprague.com to accommodate tourists in Prague. This map has the all important sights that the Prague's city center can offer.

As we all know, a cartographer or a map maker have always biases. And as a student of Cartography, I find this map quite interesting because it is very detailed but it doesn't suit my "taste". The first thing I observed was the color. For a tourist map, the color combination used was unpleasant. Also, the map maker failed to provide the map a scale, legend (which I think very necessary in this map), orientation (again, a very important part of this map because this is a map for tourist or for 1st timer in Prague), source and a title. 

A map must always maintain its simplicity but this map failed to be simple. But despite of this map's weaknesses, it is still a nice map because of its several details that are mere important. 

map source:
http://www.google.com.ph/imglanding?q=map+of+prague&um=1&hl=tl&sa=N&biw=1280&bih=830&tbs=isch:1&tbnid=dwrSymmoHGPRCM:&imgrefurl=http://mappery.com/map-of/Prague-City-Center-Map&imgurl=http://mappery.com/maps/Prague-City-Center-Map.gif&ei=KdVHTZ_xOYrnrAfLjq2TBA&zoom=1&w=1720&h=1720&iact=hc&oei=KdVHTZ_xOYrnrAfLjq2TBA&esq=1&page=1&tbnh=170&tbnw=170&start=0&ndsp=20&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0

1st plate: Projections of the world

land use map of UP Diliman Campus

the Philippine map