Module 1 - Map Types

reference map ☆

map type that shows reference information for a particular place, making it useful for finding landmarks and for navigating. emphasis on location

topographic maps

**reference** map that uses isolines to represent constant elevations

atlas/physical maps

\- often include much of the same data found on a political map

\- primary purpose is to show land forms like deserts, mountains, and plains. their topography style presents an overall better picture of local terrain.

political map

maps that are designed to show governmental boundaries of countries and states

thematic map ☆

\- displays one or more variables such as population, or income level- within a specific area

\- emphasizes spatial patterns of geographic statistics

\- sometimes relationships between them

choropleth map

**thematic** map that uses tones or colors to represent spatial data as average values per unit of data

dot density / distribution maps

**thematic** maps that use points to show the precise locations of specific observations or occurrences, such as crimes, car accidents, or births

proportional / graduated symbol map

**thematic** map with symbols that change in size according to the value of the attribute they represent

isoline map

\- **thematic**

\- continuous lines joining points of the same value

\- examples would be equal altitude (contour lines), temperature (isotherms), barometric pressure (isobars), etc.

cartogram map

\- **thematic** mapping variable- such as travel time, population, gross national product, is substituted for land area or distance.

\- the geometry or space of the map is distorted in order to convey the information of this alternate variable

flow map

**thermatic** mix of maps and flow charts that show the movement of objects from one location to another