Map Types

topographic map

a map showing the surface features of an area

choropleth maps

A thematic map that uses tones or colors to represent spatial data as average values per unit area.

isoline maps

A thematic map with lines that connect points of equal value.

dot density maps

use dots to express the volume and density of a particular geographic feature

flow-line maps

use lines of varying thickness to show the direction and volume of a particular geographic movement pattern

cartograms

A type of thematic map that transforms space such that the political unit with the greatest value for some type of data is represented by the largest relative area.

mental map

An internal representation of a portion of Earth's surface based on what an individual knows about a place, containing personal impressions of what is in a place and where places are located.

thematic map

A type of map that displays one or more variables-such as population, or income level-within a specific area.

reference map

A map type that shows reference information for a particular place, making it useful for finding landmarks and for navigation.