Global Linkages: Geographies of Economic Production

Objectives: The Outback is perhaps the best known land feature of Australia's physical feature. It's prominence in the imagination of what defines Australia is seen even in the Australian-theme steakhouse restaurant Outback.  However, exactly where the Outback is located remains a question with answers that vary depending on whom one asks.  This exercise will define the Outback of Australia with a focus on two criteria -- population and precipitation.  Through these variables, an estimate of the Outback will be defined.

Steps: You will create a multi-variable proportional symbol map to combine the population and precipitation data. This type of map allows for both variables to appear on the same map, which allows for easier interpretation and analysis.  Then, using the parameters set below, you will draw a line to show the approximate boundary of the Outback based on the variables used in this exercise.

Directions.

For this exercise, the Outback will be defined by areas with a small population and minimal precipitation.  "Small population" will include cities with populations less than 75,000 people and "minimal precipitation" is an annual precipitation of less than 22 inches.  For a city or town to be considered an "Outback" city, it must meet BOTH requirements; a large city with minimal precipitation or a small town with heavy annual rainfall should not be counted as an "Outback city."  When you draw the boundary of the Outback, the line should be between those places defined as "Outback cities" and those that are not.

You will be using two classifications for your map.  The first are proportional symbols, which are symbols in which the size of the symbol represents that value.  For example, a very large circle may represent the largest value while smaller circles reflect values less than the largest one.  For this exercise, using different sized coins is offered as an example of how you can create your proportional symbols.  You will use proportional symbols for population utilizing the following classification:

• Use a quarter-sized or half dollar-sized circle for populations greater than 1 million
• Use a nickel-sized circle for populations between 75,000 and 999,999
• Use a dime-sized or penny sized circle for populations between 10,000 and 74,999
• Use a quarter-inch sized circle [about the diameter of a pencil] for populations less than 10,000

The circles can be drawn over the points representing the city on the map below.

The second step for the multi-variable proportional symbol is to color or shade in the proportional circles.  While the size of the circle reflects population, the color or shade will represent precipitation.  Use the following classification for precipitation:

• Use a dark color to mark cities with an annual precipitation of 40 inches or greater
• Use a lighter color (or shade of a chosen color) to mark cities with an annual precipitation between 22 and 9 inches
• Use a lighter color (or shade) to mark cities with an annual precipitation between 11 and

21.9 inches

• Use the lightest color (or shade) to mark cities with an annual precipitation of less than 11 inches

Once you complete your proportional symbols, you should be able to determine the boundary for the Outback.