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.
- 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 valueCrime Map
COMMERCIAL WIRELESS SIGNALS
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
Where Pennsylvanian students prefer to live
Where Californian students prefer to live
Perception of Place
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
SIMPLIFICATION
SIMPLIFICATION
SYMBOLIZATION
SYMBOLIZATION
SYMBOLIZATION
SYMBOLIZATION
CLASSIFICATION
CLASSIFICATION
CLASSIFICATION
INDUCTION
CENTERING
CENTERING
CENTERING
SCALE
SCALE
MESSAGE/ART
Message/Art
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