ATLAS EXERCISE
 Geography 305-501/502
 
 
            The Atlas Exercise is a learning exercise that introduces students to maps and serves as a survey of cartographic ideas as well as explore map resources. The exercise is worth 50 points.

 

DIRECTIONS:

Use the Texas Almanac, class notes, and WorldWideWeb.

Answer with the most correct possible response;

Record onto a large gray scantron

Due: beginning of fourth week!

 

Multiple Choice:

 

1. The definition of a map (presented during lecture) is:

            [A] graphical representation of reality        

            [B] realistic presentation of the Earth

            [C] satellite derived data

            [D] terrestrial graphic imagery

 

2. Using Cartesian coordinate systems such as Latitude and Longitude, Texas A&M is in the _______ Hemispheres.
         [A] Northern and Eastern       

         [B] Northern and Western       
         [C] Southern and Western

         [D] Southern and Eastern

 

3. A thematic map can be best described as a map that ______________.

            [A] shows spectral data from satellites.

            [B] portrays spatial statistics on a flat two-dimensional plane.

            [C] represents a specific geographical theme.

            [D] tries to confuse the reader with unknown symbols.

 

4. Identify the incorrect statement:

         [A] Longitude and Latitude gives map readers a grid system to measure location.

         [B] Cartographers produce maps as well as critique other’s maps.

         [C] An AAA road map could be classified as a general purpose map.

         [D] The “isoline” that measures elevation on a topographic map is a contour line.

         [E] Inhibition is a part of effective “map reading.”

 

 


The following questions refer to the Texas Almanac

 

Refer to page 240 for Brazos County: (questions 5-9)

Match the following (5-7) based on the data.

5. Average annual precipitation                 

6. Change of population since 2000          

7. Unemployment rates                               

            [A]       2.9%

            [B]       4.3%

            [C]       25.07”

            [D]       39.67”

 

True [A] or False [B]

8. Bryan is the county seat for Brazos County.

9. College Station accounts for over half of the county’s population.

 

The Texas Almanac changes (reissues) every two years, this edition’s special features are found on pages 18-47.

 

10. What does the CCC stand for?

            [A] Combined Control Conservation

            [B] Corps of Civilian Construction

            [C] Commander in Chief, Civil branch       

            [D] Civilian Conservation Corps

 

11. How many New Deal communities were constructed in Texas? (use graph)

            [A] 1

            [B] 5   

            [C] 11

            [D] 131

            [E] 562

_____

12. On page 105, what is the largest land use in Texas?

            [A] Cotton      

            [B] Forestry   

            [C] Grazing    

            [D] Universities

 

13. Which reservoir has the largest storage capacity (not surface area)? (pp 99-104)

            [A] Amistad   

            [B] Falcon      

            [C] Toledo Bend

            [D] Sam Rayburn


 

Page 512 has a map of one of the more controversial issues in Texas.

 

14. How many counties are completely “Dry” according to the text?

            [A] 16 

            [B] 39 

            [C] 186

            [D] none exist any more

 

15. Brazos County is considered to be _______.

            [A] wholly wet

            [B] partially wet

            [C] wholly dry

            [D] complete party zone

 

 

16. According to the almanac (p.542), which county has the highest percentage of French ancestry (probably due to proximity to Louisiana)?

            [A] Chambers

            [B] Hardin

            [C] Jefferson

            [D] Liberty

            [E] Orange

 

Pages 566-569 relates to religion in Texas

 

17. Texas’ ranking among other states; Texas has the most adherents of what denomination?

            [A] Evangelical Protestants

            [B] Catholics

            [C] Buddhists

            [D] Mormons

 

18. Using the almanac’s categories, which denomination does not have over a million adherents?

            [A] Baptist

            [B] Catholic

            [C] Lutheran

            [D] Methodist

 

 


Texas Forest Unit:

 

Go to http://txforestservice.tamu.edu *LINK CHANGE* search for new url

Click on “Forestry Education”

Click on “Texas State Forests”

            Also consult TX Almanac

 

19. Search for the definition of “urban wildland interface”

            [A] the geographical area where combustible homes are mixed with wild animals.

            [B] the historical area where homes are mixed with wild vegetation.

            [C] the geographical area where combustible homes are mixed with combustible vegetation.      

20. Which is the largest (by area) State Forest?

            [A]   E. O. Siecke

            [B]   I. D. Fairchild

            [C]   J. H. Kirby Memorial

            [D]   Masterson

            [E]   W. Goodrich Jones

 

21. How many National Forests are there in Texas?

            [A] 2

            [B] 3

            [C] 4

            [D] 5

            [E] there are none

 

22. How many Wildlife Management Areas does the State of Texas operate?

            [A] 21

            [B] 38

            [C] 42

            [D] 51

            [E] there are none

 

23. According to the Almanac, what is the largest “forest type” in Texas?

            [A] Loblolly (S. Pine)

            [B] Oak-hickory

            [C] Bottomlands (includes Cypress)

            [D] Scrubby Brush

            [E] Christmas tree farms

 

24. What vegetation region is closely associated with commercial forestry?

            [A] Post Oak savanna

            [B] Piney Woods         

            [C] Hill Country

            [D] Desert Shrubs

            [E] Cypress Swamps


25. Which county has the highest “timber production” value?

            [A] Angelina

            [B] Cass

            [C] Jasper

            [D] Polk

            [E] Tyler

 

26. The majority of Texas’ timberland is _____________ owned.

            [A] Industrial (privately)

            [B] Privately (by individuals)

            [C] Publicly (federal)

            [D] Publicly (state/local)

 

 

World Wide Web

Go to the Perry-Castaneda Library Map Collection

      http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/

Navigate the sequence of links:

 

Find the “Texas” map section

Click on the Aerial Photographs – Texas Coast

Click on the South Galveston Bay section

27. How many individual images are there? (not icons but actual images)

            [A] 22                                                   [B] 28

            [C] 34                                                  [D] 42

            [E] 48

 

28. Look at the image for the northern tip of the island (#23), which of the following is a logical statement for what you see?

            [A] densely settled

            [B] sparsely settled

            [C] unsettled

 

Find the Trans-Texas Corridor State Maps:

29. What are the two generalized corridors under consideration?

            [A] TTC-35 and I69/TTC

            [B] TTC-21 and I35/TTC

            [C] TTC-69 and I59/TTC

            [D] TTC-59 and I35/TTC

            [E] TTC-42 and I69/TTC

 

Find the US-Mexico border fence map (Christian Science Monitor).

30. How many miles of “border Fence” will be built in Texas? (do not include the El Paso section)

            [A] 83                                      

            [B] 227

            [C] 469                                               

            [D] 698

            [E] 1920
Find the “Mexico” map section

Use the most recent political map and shaded relief (physical) map

31. Which Mexican state has its capital in Monterrey? (hint: follow IH-35)

            [A] Chihuahua                        

            [B] Coahuila

            [C] Nuevo Leon                      

            [D] Veracruz

 

32. Looking at the “label” for rivers, what do Mexican cartographers typically call the Rio Grande?

            [A] Big River                           

            [B] Rio Bravo

            [C] Rio Laredo                        

            [D] Rio Tejano

 

 

Download the following map in the Texas section: (save map for midterm 2)

Natural Subregions of Texas (B/W)

33. The Davis Mountains are labeled with

            [A] 10                          

            [B] 11a

            [C] 11b                       

            [D] 11e

            [E] 12

 

34. The Llano Estacado is labeled as

            [A] 9a                          

            [B] 9b

            [C] 10             

            [D] 11b

            [E] 11f

 

35. The area labeled 7b is

            [A] Balcones Fault Zone                                 

            [B] Balcones Canyonlands

            [C] Edwards Edge

            [D] Edwards Aquifer

 

36. Nacogdoches is labeled as

            [A] Longleaf Pine Forest                                

            [B] Shortleaf Pine Forest

            [C] Mixed Pine-Hardwood Forest

            [D] Hickory Hardwood Forest

 

Go to www.governor.state.tx.us/divisions/film

37. Which 1971 movie won an Academy Award?

            [A] The Last Picture Show                             

            [B] The Andromeda Strain

            [C] Brewster McCloud


Google Earth

 

(On campus student computing labs, “start->all programs->courseware->geog324”)

 

Use the search feature and type in Aggieland;

 

38. Which business is furthest away from campus?

            [A] Credit Union

            [B] Rudder Tower

            [C] Apartment Finders

            [D] Country School

            [E] Super 8

 

True [A] or False [B] (questions 39-41)

 

39. Use the pointer to find precise coordinates for Dr. Prout’s office in CSA on campus;

            30° 37’ 01.16” N and 96° 20’ 10.23” W could be a correct reading.

 

(Pavillion is West of my office)

40. It appears the roof of the Pavilion is under construction.

 

(Bonfire Memorial is North of my office)

41. It appears that the grass around the Bonfire Memorial is brown like the polo fields.

 

Search for Enchanted Rock

Find the actual Rock formation (near the southern county line)

Move the cursor over the rock and try to determine the maximum elevation

42. What is the highest elevation (+/- 50 feet)?

            [A] 1678

            [B] 1742

            [C] 1816

            [D] 1998

            [E] 2011

 

43. At that location, what is the nearest latitude?

            [A] 30° 30’ 22.6” N

            [B] 98° 49’ 06.9” N

            [C] 30° 30’ 22.6” W

            [D] 98° 49’ 06.9” W

 

44. At that location, what is the nearest longitude?

            [A] 30° 30’ 22.6” N

            [B] 98° 49’ 06.9” N

            [C] 30° 30’ 22.6” W

            [D] 98° 49’ 06.9” W

45. What name can we see for the two places in and around Gillespie County? (use business search)

            [A] Germania

            [B] Latinium

            [C] Trois Estate

            [D] Xanadu

 

Go to the following coordinates and answer the remaining questions:

            30° 11’ 40.86” N and 98° 46’ 45.30” W

 

46. What is this place?

            [A] Crazy Caverns

            [B] Bio-Willie service station

            [C] Kerrville Telephone

            [D] Luckenbach

            [E] Easy Rider Warehouse

 

47. Which Texas country music persona is most associated with the above place?

            [A] Larry Hagman

            [B] Buddy Holly

            [C] Janis Joplin

            [D] Willie Nelson

            [E] Buck Owens

 

48. Using the Directions feature, how many miles is it to Fredericksburg from Q.46?

            [A] 7

            [B] 10

            [C] 15

            [D] 19

            [E] 23

 

49. Using the directions, how long does it take to drive here (Q.46) from College Station?

            [A] 3 hours 13 minutes

            [B] 4 hours 5 minutes

            [C] 5 hours 27 minutes

            [D] 169 miles

            [E] 215 miles

 

50. Zoom in and find the street name next to the old post office; what is the name?

            [A] City Loop

            [B] Loop Around

            [C] Farm Loop

            [D] Loop Back

            [E] Town Loop