Sunday, September 28, 2008

Planimetric Map










A planimetric map: indicating only the horizontal positions of features, without regard to elevation, in contrast with a topographic map, which indicates both horizontal and vertical positions. Also known as line map.

This is a planimetric map of China. The website says it is 1/25,000 of actual China and the map shows a walled Chinese city and an irrigation system in 1932. Planimetric maps are good for some people when first entering a new place, to get their bearings. But for me, planimetric maps can often be more confusing because their simplicity often leads to their unrealistic portrayal of an area. But what is helpful about this map though, is that is displays an area which is densely concentrated in buildings, through the use of grey scale shading. That at least can help a newcomer know the general vicinity of the populated city area.

Definition taken from: http://www.answers.com/topic/planimetric-map
Photo taken from: http://www.loc.gov/rr/geogmap/guide/gmillgen.html

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