Lab 3

View Orange County Beach Area in a larger map


In my take of neogeography, I took the area I mainly grew up in down in Orange County and focused on the beach area of the north-end of the coast in Orange County. I incorporated what I know is great along the Pacific Coast Highway; incorporating what I know ends up being a pitfall of neogeography, though. Using my knowledge to map adds limitations, along with the fact I'm not a geography expert (yet). To be exact, for example, I mapped the fire pit paths on the three main beaches I would go to if I ever went or had a bonfire. I could have gone along the rest of the Orange County Coast, marked each specific pit area, and other things. I only mapped what I really knew and wanted to map. Another pitfall can be from misrepresentation of an area, like the polygons I created for Crystal Cove and Downtown Huntington Beach. I made the polygons around what I believe the areas are, given what Google Maps provide, but from the map, I have no definite way to know where the actual boundaries are.


I added descriptions for points I marked which adds potential for neogeography. It provides more information on the map to be used for more than just geographical purposes, but as a guide, too. Someone potentially visiting the area could look up my map for a little more insight on where to go, what each place mainly has to offer, but again, this is from my opinion and view. Adding images and videos is also a benefit to neogeography by providing an actual view of what the area looks like beyond the map. The video of the Huntington Dog Beach that I added provides image and ideas of the experience there.


I think obvious potential from using neogeography with Google Maps is that it elaborates on what is already mapped out. But the elaboration could possibly be on inaccurately marked things, which is one pitfall of this style of mapping. GIS only goes so far with it's accuracy until a non-expert (like myself) plays with map-making and puts his or her own take.

With the pitfalls and potentials of neogeography, the consequences include limitations of what Google Maps can offer to be added to the map in the tools, but still they all add to a better, deeper, and more detailed view of a mapped area.