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Cartographic Communication. Two Types of Maps:. Reference Maps Show locations of places and geographic features Absolute locations What are reference maps used for?. Thematic Maps Tell a story about the degree of an attribute, the pattern of its distribution, or its movement.
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Two Types of Maps: Reference Maps • Show locations of places and geographic features • Absolute locations What are reference maps used for? Thematic Maps • Tell a story about the degree of an attribute, the pattern of its distribution, or its movement. • Relative locations What are thematic maps used for?
Graduated Circle Maps or Proportional symbol • shapes of different sizes to show where and how much • Larger the circle = more phenomenon • Single variable • Population, median income, wheat production, or average land value Swine Flu
Dot Map • A single or specified number of occurrences is represented by a dot • Good for suggesting spatial pattern, distribution, and dispersion • Poor at showing precise value Crime Map
Isometric/Isopleth/Isoline Map • Features isolines that connect points registering equal values of whatever is being mapped. • Isoline show where there is a uniform occurrence • Poor at showing information that might be patchy
Perception of Place Where Pennsylvanian students prefer to live Where Californian students prefer to live
Choropleth • Shows data in a predetermined unit. • Each unit is shaded to represent how much of an item in the borders • Can give a false impression of abrupt change • Smaller units are better than larger (1-5) is more accurate than (1-50) Election Results
Cartogram • Uses statistical data to transform a space so that the largest unit on the map is the one showing the greatest statistical value • Gives a good visual representation of quantity but not good at communicating exact numbers
Most thematic maps have: • Simplification- • What has the cartographer chosen to keep • Why are things left out? • Symbolization • What do the symbols add to the meaning? • Does it look attractive? • Classification • Thematic maps use categories • Equal interval or set values • Induction • Information is under the surface or hidden • Linked to classification • Centering- what is placed in the center of the map shows cultural/artistic value
Symbolization Super bowl Word Symbols