by Don Patrick Amarasinghe

Created on: May 06, 2009   Last Updated: May 26, 2009

Global Positioning System (GPS) is a navigation instrument with a narrow function of giving directions, and guiding to find places based on latitudes and longitudes. Anyone who knows maps and geography, and have some experience of using a GPS would argue that, though the GPS is a handy and advanced electronic instrument for trip planning, and travel guiding, it would never be able to replace the multiple functions and broader utility of conventional maps. Instead, GPSs are being used to enhance, and update information in conventional paper maps.

A Conventional map is a two dimensional representation of the earth, drawn to a scale, with symbols, a direction, and a key, representing man-made as well as natural features of the environment. It has a much broader utility than a GPS, and has existed in the world a very long time. The oldest known maps are preserved on Babylonian clay tablets from about 2300 B.C. The types of maps are numerous, and their utility depends on the purpose for which they are drawn.

Uses of conventional maps are threefold. Map reading a basic utility, is the translation of map features into a mental image of the environment through identification of symbols. This is true for GPS as well. In GPS one can read visual features on screen such as roads, water bodies, gas stations and so on. However, due to the small size of the screen, and its low resolution, a limited number of features are presented on GPS screen compared to conventional paper maps. The road system and the directions are the priority features on a GPS map.

Map analysis is the second use of conventional maps. By analyzing, the features of the maps are described in terms of spatial structures and relationships. The act of map analysis converts complex patterns of symbols to usable forms, such as hilly areas, lowlands, densely populated, rural, urban, rocky, high slopes, and so on. In GPS what you see on the screen constantly changes when move with it, and hence there is only little opportunity to analyze the features in relation to other places.

Map interpretation is the third aspect of conventional map use. The knowledge one gains from map reading and analysis is put to use at this stage of map study. The conventional map is said to be a springboard for imagination. It allows you to discover patterns, and relationships of various phenomena of the environment, and inspire to search for answers. For example, if one wishes to know why a certain area has more road links than

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