ArcMap!!!

The five exercises I worked on following the ArcMap Tutorial taught me how the GIS system works. In the first exercise, I learned the basics of the ArcMap program. I learned how to zoom in and out, insert scale bars, legends, and titles, lay out a map, and adjusting the page size. The zooming in and out allows us to analyze the map closer since are perspective changes. Zooming in allows us to see the small details of the map and zooming out allows us to see the whole picture, which can help us analyze the map. All of these things seem very minor, but are very significant since they are the basics. Without the basic knowledge of how to use ArcMap, there is no way we can proceed to the next steps.

In the second exercise I learned how to work with geographic features. I learned how to insert a new data frame in the beginning and to add new layers of different information on a map. Besides the layers, I learned how to insert the vertical bar graph as well, revealing the information of the land use in the noise contour. Next, in the third exercise I learned how to work with the tables better. I learned how to join tables together and also how to create a new field to the table. This allowed me to insert new data to the table and ultimately changing the data on the map.

The fourth exercise helped me edit new features and creating a new map out of it as a result. For example, I went back to the first map of the school data frame and created a new road. This had to be accomplished since the road was not complete and work was necessary to fix the mistake. Using the editing tool bar and snapping, I was able to join the road back together and even named it "Airport Dr". This editing tool bar allows me to edit new features and exhibit them as a new map.

In the last exercise, I learned how to work with map elements. Similar to the basics, I basically changed the background color, added more scale bars, added titles, etc. I learned how to arrange all the new data frames I made from the previous exercises and customize them on the layout view. I was able to organize the three maps and one vertical bar graph neatly on one page. Near the end of the exercise, I also added a title for my page with all the maps and even added an extent rectangle to to show the extent of one data frame within another data frame. Finally, in the end, I edited my page to make it look better. I moved some features around and added drop shadows to make them look 3-D. The ArcMap Tutorial was a long process, but I learned a great deal from it working on it 4 times since I made many mistakes.

Neogeography!!!

View Japanese Anything (Los Angeles) in a larger map

This is a map of Japanese anything. Basically, it shows all the Japanese stores; from restaurants, cultural centers, hair salons, marketplaces, etc. People that are interested in Japanese culture should definitely check this map out and use it as a guide.




Part 2
Neogeography is new geography and has pitfalls and potentials. Some characteristics of Neogeography are user centered, open to anyone, created by "amateurs", and flexible. For each one of these characteristics, there are pros and cons. They depend on what people value and their point of views.

Neogeography has many potentials. It is open to anyone on the web, so the public can easily access vital information online. For example, if you want to search for Japanese restaurants in Los Angeles, you can find them easily with Neogeography. Information can be easily accessed and people can find places to go smoothly. Another positive thing about Neogeography is the fact that anyone can make their own maps. This does not limit to only professionals now, but the whole public. Anyone can enjoy creating their own maps now.

Neography has many pitfalls as well which lead to negative consequences. One of them is the fact that anyone can access it. The issue of privacy is raised here and some people do not want their pictures up on maps. Another large pitfall is unemployment. Amateurs can easily create maps online now with the help of APIs, so professionals lose their jobs since anyone can make maps now. The profession of "map-making" is endangered.

USGS Topographic maps

1. What is the name of the quadrangle?
The name of the quadrangle is Beverly Hills.

2. What are the names of the adjacent quadrangles?
The names of the adjacent quadrangles are Canoga Park, Van Nuys, Burbank, Topanga, Hollywood, Venice, and Inglewood.

3. When was the quadrangle first created?
The quadrangle was first created on 1995.

4. What datum was used to create your map?
The North American Datum of 1927 and 1983 was used.

5. What is the scale of the map?
The scale of the map is 1:24000.

6. At the above scale, answer the following:

a) 5 centimeters on the map is equivalent to how many meters on the ground?
5 centimeters on the map is equivalent to 1200 meters on the ground.

b) 5 inches on the map is equivalent to how many miles on the ground?
5 inches on the map is equivalent to 1.8939 miles on the ground.

c) one mile on the ground is equivalent to how many inches on the map?
One mile on the ground is equivalent to 2.64 inches on the map.

d) three kilometers on the ground is equivalent to how many centimeters on the map?
Three kilometers on the ground is equivalent to 12.5 centimeters on the map.

7. What is the contour interval on your map?
The contour interval on the map is 20 feet.

8. What are the approximate geographic coordinates in both degrees/minutes/seconds and decimal degrees of:

a) the Public Affairs Building;
34 degrees 4minutes 12 seconds and 118 degrees 26 minutes 24 seconds (34.07 and 118.44)

b) the tip of Santa Monica pier;
34 degrees 0 minutes 36 minutes and 118 degrees 30 minutes 0 seconds (34.01 and 118.5)

c) the Upper Franklin Canyon Reservoir;
34 degrees 7 minutes 12 seconds and 118 degrees 24 minutes 36 seconds (34.12 and 118.41)

9. What is the approximate elevation in both feet and meters of:

a) Greystone Mansion (in Greystone Park);
about 560 feet (about 170.7 meters)

b) Woodlawn Cemetery;
about 140 feet (about 42.67 meters)

c) Crestwood Hills Park;
about 700 feet (about 213.36 meters)

10. What is the UTM zone of the map?
The UTM zone is zone 11.

11. What are the UTM coordinates for the lower left corner of your map?
The UTM coordinates are 3763000 and 362000

12. How many square meters are contained within each cell (square) of the UTM gridlines?
There are 1,000,000 square meters.

13. Obtain elevation measurements, from west to east along the UTM northing 3771000, where the eastings of the UTM grid intersect the northing. Create an elevation profile using these measurements in Excel (hint: create a line chart). Figure out how to label the elevation values to the two measurements on campus. Insert your elevation profile as a graphic in your blog.
14. What is the magnetic declination of the map?
The magnetic declination is 14 degrees.

15. In which direction does water flow in the intermittent stream between the 405 freeway and Stone Canyon Reservoir?
The water is flowing southward towards 10 east freeway.

16. Crop out (i.e., cut and paste) UCLA from the map and include it as a graphic on your blog.