Answering your map questions
This is a very big world and it is very easy to get lost in it if you do not have precise directions of where you are going. Thousands of years ago, people looked to the stars to guide them to their destination. They had no idea how long it would take if they had never been there before and had no idea whether or not there would be certain landmarks along the way.
Cartographers changed the world for people everywhere by developing maps. The map is one of the tools most used by humans every day of their lives. It may be the simple road map or it may be a complex map of terrain and geography. This is a topic that everyone should know something about and in this article you can find some of the basic information that you may need.
What are maps?
Maps are a representation of a given space. The map is used to find geographic information about a certain area. While there are many different types of maps, the most widely used map is one marked with streets and highways. People will use this type of map to find out how to get to a certain destination. The map has changed considerably over the years. Whereas before it was primarily topographical and showed only large landmarks, the modern map is digital and spoken via a GPS unit.
When did maps go electronic?
By the way most people think of electronic maps, it would be with the invention of mapping websites like Google Maps or Mapquest. These websites allowed people to log in, type in their destination, and provide exact turn-by-turn directions to where they needed to go. At first, addresses were linked entirely to paper maps entered into the systems, but these changed as satellite imagery and details became more readily available. In fact, it could be said that satellite images and satellites were the first electronic maps. They helped the military tremendously by showing them the layout of the land.
How often are the maps updated?
Unfortunately, there is no set answer to this question. Obviously, a paper map is updated much less than a digital map or one found on the Internet. A paper map may be updated every year or two as new subdivisions are added and new streets are formed. This is especially true in the case of a local city map. The map you find on the internet via Google, Mapquest or any other mapping site usually takes less time, but it can still take up to a year or more before the information is entered.
The problem is that all addresses have to be confirmed and verified. This takes time. GPS maps are usually updated more frequently because more users are inputting data that helps the GPS provider increase their coverage areas. If you’re trying to find a location and can’t locate it on a map, you may want to find the nearest city and call City Hall for directions. At least they can point you in the right direction. You may even have to stop at a gas station for directions.
What is Google Earth?
Google Earth is a new feature provided by Google. It’s a whole new way of looking at a destination or location. It gives you the versatility and freedom to see real-time data about the locations you enter. You can explore the whole world with Google Earth. It’s the ultimate in maps because you can see things as they happen and even visit places that would normally be impossible. To get Google Earth, all you have to do is download the software from the Google website and you can explore the world.