Neogeography Mash-up

With the utility of Google Maps, the hometowns for each defensive player on the San Diego Chargers can be viewed on this mash-up. View the actual "Where Are the Chargers From" mashup here.

Neogeography, which literally means new geography, is defined as a commonly applied usage of geographic tools and techniques used for personal and community services or for utilization by a non expert group of users. GIS, or Graphic Information Systems, has been used professionally as the mainframe for the United States government's mapping industry. USGS topographic maps are used professionally for reference.

Neogeography, however, has opened the doors to the public. Neogeographic maps, such as Google Maps have moved maps into the public sector. Now it is possible for civilians and amateurs to use maps for personal interests. Neogeography mash-ups do bring controversy, however. Problems such as accuracy arise. Since the vast majority of mash-up users are amateurs the validity of certain maps can come into question. USGS maps are classified as map-centric which means they are used strictly for geographic information. Mash-ups, however, are user-centric which means anyone and everyone can create a map for personal interests. For my example, there is no governing source to see if the towns listed are in fact actually accurate.

Neogeography is relatively new and is quite useful. Though it is not necessarily on the professional standard, its uses can even be more practical than USGS maps in many cases. Neogeography is still budding and making its technological advances. Thus, making new mapping techniques more user friendly.

Quadrangle- Beverly Hills

1. What is the name of the quadrangle?

Beverly Hills Quadrangle

2. What are the names of the adjacent quadrangles?

Canoga Park, Van Nuys, Burbank, Topanga, Hollywood, Venice, and Inglewood.

3. When was the quadrangle first created?

1966

4. What datum was used to create your map?

North American Datum of 1927 and North American Datum of 1983

5. What is the scale of the map?

1:24,000

6. At the above scale, answer the following:

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

1200 m

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

1.89 mi

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

2.64 in

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

12.5 cm

7. What is the contour interval on your map?

20 ft

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

a) the Public Affairs Building; Lat- 34 deg 4'24" N (34.073 deg N) Lon- 118 deg 25'52" W (118.065 deg W)

b) the tip of Santa Monica pier; Lat- 34 deg 0'30" N (34.0083 deg N) Lon- 118 deg 29'50" W (118.5251 W)

c) the Upper Franklin Canyon Reservoir; Lat- 34 deg 7'10" N (34.0091 deg N) Lon- 118 deg 24'28" (118.4178 W)

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

a) Greystone Mansion (in Greystone Park); 581 ft/177 m

b) Woodlawn Cemetery; 98 ft/ 30 m

c) Crestwood Hills Park; 636 ft/ 194 ft

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

11. What are the UTM coordinates for the lower left corner of your map? 3763 and 362

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

14 degrees East

15. In which direction does water flow in the intermittent stream between the 405 freeway and Stone Canyon

Reservoir?

North to South

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