Abstract
Geographical information illuminates many features of culture that cannot be seen otherwise. Higher-resolution mapping of cultural traits, now possible with computerized techniques, can open a new window on human cultural adaptation. It can look at where people live on a scale that is small enough to reveal the features of the environment to which their cultures respond. This article discusses the mapping of language in a rural area of Mexico. Much GIS technology has become so elaborate that it is not appropriate to cultural anthropology. The project described was successful because it developed and used techniques that were appropriate to the problem being studied and the situation in the field. The techniques can be used for other types of mapping projects. Keywords: GIS, geographical information systems, cultural anthropology, maps, peasant culture.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.