The topologist’s map of the world

The topologist's map of the world

This map, at first glance, similar to a medieval map of the world 'mappa mundi', is the topologist's map of the world, showing international borders, and nothing else.

Topology in math is the study of properties that are preserved when a shape is curved or elongated. So a circle and a square are topologically equal because they are both a simple loop. A figure eight isn't comparable to them since it has the intersection point and two loops.

This map is showing the basic adjacency within regions, without consideration for the complicated shapes the areas take. In topology, the borders can be smoothed out, but the adjacency is a fixed property that remains no matter how much the edge is reshaped.

The map shows the topology of national borders; all information about a country's shape and size are ignored. This leads to some interesting effects: Brunei and Indonesia are linked to Afro-Eurasia since they connected through Malaysia, even though they are on different landmasses. Exclaves have otherwise been ignored. The world is encircled by a ring of 38 island nations, as well as two pairs (Haiti/Dominican Republic and Ireland UK). East is (approximately) up.

....

Vineesh V
Assistant Professor of Geography,
Directorate of Education,
Government of Kerala.
https://g.page/vineeshvc
🌏🌎
🌐🌍

Comments

Regional Geography, Systematic Geography, Idiographic, Nomothetic, Inductive and Deductive Approaches

T wo major ways of studying Geography : the Regional Approach and the Systematic Approach . It also explains the related ideas of idiographic vs. nomothetic and inductive vs. deductive reasoning , especially in the context of the Hartshorne–Schaefer debate . 1. Regional Geography: “All About One” Regional Geography studies one particular region in detail . A region is an area that has some degree of homogeneity (sameness) within its boundary but is also unique or different from other regions . For example, if we study Palakkad District , we may study: Relief and drainage Climate Soil Vegetation Agriculture Population Occupation Economy Culture Political characteristics The purpose is to understand the complete geographical personality of Palakkad and the relationships among its different features. Key concepts Region: A geographical area with identifiable characteristics and boundaries. Homogeneity: Si...

Kuhn’s Paradigms

The given content explains Thomas S. Kuhn’s model of scientific development , its application to geography, and criticisms by Karl Popper, Paul Feyerabend, Michel Foucault , and others. 1. Basic Idea Kuhn argued that science does not develop continuously in a straight line . Instead, scientific development occurs through: Preparadigm → Paradigm → Normal Science → Crisis → Scientific Revolution → New Paradigm A new paradigm may replace an older one, producing a major change in the way scientists understand and study a subject. Concepts and Terminologies Concept / Term Simple Meaning Paradigm A commonly accepted framework/model that guides scientific research Exemplar A successful concrete problem-solution used as a model for future research Disciplinary Matrix Shared beliefs, values, concepts, methods and techniques of a scientific community Preparadig...

Multispectral and Hyperspectral Imaging Systems

The main idea is how a remote-sensing sensor collects information about an area . A sensor does not simply take an ordinary photograph. It measures the electromagnetic energy reflected or emitted by objects in different wavelength bands . Depending on how many bands are measured and how the sensor collects them, different imaging systems are used. 1. Multispectral vs. Hyperspectral Multispectral imaging (MSI) records information in a limited number of relatively broad, separate spectral bands , such as blue, green, red, near-infrared and shortwave infrared. Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) records information in many narrow and usually contiguous spectral bands . Therefore, it provides a much more detailed spectral signature of each pixel. The resulting dataset is commonly called a hyperspectral data cube (hypercube) because it contains: X-axis → spatial information Y-axis → spatial information Z-axis → wavelength/spectral information Thus, hype...

Discrete Detectors and Scanning mirrors Across the track scanner Whisk broom scanner.

Multispectral Imaging Using Discrete Detectors and Scanning Mirrors (Across-Track Scanner or Whisk Broom Scanner) Multispectral Imaging: This technique involves capturing images of the Earth's surface using multiple sensors that are sensitive to different wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation. This allows for the identification of various features and materials based on their spectral signatures. Discrete Detectors: These are individual sensors that are arranged in a linear or array configuration. Each detector is responsible for measuring the radiation within a specific wavelength band. Scanning Mirrors: These are optical components that are used to deflect the incoming radiation onto the discrete detectors. By moving the mirrors, the sensor can scan across the scene, capturing data from different points. Across-Track Scanner or Whisk Broom Scanner: This refers to the scanning mechanism where the mirror moves perpendicular to the direction of flight. This allows for t...

Satalite

Landsat → Land resources SPOT → High-resolution mapping IRS → Indian natural-resource mapping ASTER → Geology + thermal + DEM QuickBird → Very high spatial resolution MODIS → Daily global monitoring GOES → Weather monitoring AVHRR → Weather + vegetation + ocean AVIRIS → Hyperspectral imaging Highest spectral resolution: AVIRIS (224 narrow bands) Highest spatial resolution in this list: QuickBird (~0.61 m PAN) Highest temporal frequency: GOES (minutes) Best broad global monitoring: MODIS Indian sensors: IRS-LISS III and LISS IV Hyperspectral: AVIRIS Thermal + multispectral + DEM: ASTER abbreviations MSS – Multispectral Scanner System TM – Thematic Mapper ETM+ – Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus GOES – Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite AVHRR – Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer HRV – High Resolution Visible HRVIR – High Resolution Visible and Infrared HRG – High Resolution Geometric ...

Vineesh V, Geography

Search This Blog