Types of Maps

Types of Maps

1. Virtual Maps: (mental maps) personal ideas about space, reflects prejudices and biases

2. Reference Maps: (general purpose) shows direction, location, and distance

3. Thematic Map: (special purpose) shows spatial distribution, such as population densities, climate, land use, etc

   • Point Symbol Maps
     • Dot Density Maps: a dot represents a given quantity
     • Proportional Symbol Maps: display map features using different size symbols
   • Area Symbol Maps
     • Area Class Maps: shows zones of constant attributes such as languages, vegetation, soil type, etc
     • Chloropleth Maps: shows differences in quantity using different colors
     • Cartogram: area of units proportional to the data represented
   • Line Symbol Maps
     • Qualitative Maps: descriptive
       • Qualitative Point Feature Maps: symbols showing something at a location; using points-do not vary in size, no ranking
       • Qualitative Line Feature Maps: no ranking; differences of linear features represented by different line widths, colors, and patterns
       • Qualitative Area Feature Maps: differences are filled with a color hue, pattern, or pattern orientation to differentiate areas
       • Qualitative Multivariate Maps: use a single attributes to show several attributes
       • Qualitative Change Maps: use point, line, areal symbols; shows qualitative changes in attribute; temporal change (time) or spatial change (space)
     • Quantitative Maps: numerical
       • Quantitative Point Feature Maps: shows location of features while implying message of magnitude
         • Dot Density Map:does not show exact locations of features
         • Proportional/Graduated Symbol Maps: symbol size varies dependent upon quantity it represents
       • Quantitative Line Feature Maps: linear symbols represent different information associated with roads, highways, etc; differences shown using size, color lightness, color saturation, pattern texture
       • Qualntative Area Feature Maps: features vary in magnitude ; distinguished by color shading
         • Chloropleth Maps
         • Cartograms
         • Prism Maps
       • Quantitative Change Maps: shows quantitative change in attributes; temporal (time) and spatial (space) changes; point, line, areal symbols
     • Flow Line Maps: shows direction and amount of movement of data

4. Topographic Maps: (special reference) shows shape and elevation, composed of Contour Lines

   • Bathymetric Maps: show water depths and configuration of under water topography