types of maps

isoline map

On a map, a line that connects or links different places that share a common or equal value. such as elevation

topographic map

A graphic representation of the three-dimensional configuration of the Earth's surface

refrence map

A map that shows geographic locations on Earth's surface, such as the locations of cities or oceans

chropleth map

A thematic map that shows data aggregated for a specific geographic area, often using different colors to represent different values

cartogram

A map that distorts the geographic shape of an area in order to show the size of a specific variable; the larger the area on a cartogram, the larger the value of the underlying variable

proportional or graduated circle map

A map that uses symbols (such as circles or dots) of different sizes to represent numerical values

dot density or dot distribution map

A map that uses dots to represent objects or counts; the dot can represent one object (a one-to-one dot density map) or it can represent a number of objects (a one-to-many dot density map)