Classed Choropleth Maps

http://courses.washington.edu/info424/Labs/ChoroplethMap.html

A Classed Choropleth Map differs from an unclassed map in that intervals are created to display the data in a more simple manner. The number of intervals created can vary. Another thing that can vary is the way data is divided up into intervals. The classed choropleth map above shows a one-year forecast change in jobs for 2010 verse 2009. The data is divided into six intervals with a different color for each. 

Nominal Area Choropleth Map

http://geoportal.icimod.org/TrainingandEducation/GISforBeginners/p1ch8/

Nominal Area Choropleth Maps are used to display nominal data. These types of maps use different colors or patterns to distinguish between certain areas or regions. Usually there is no ordering (or ranking) of the data. But this map strays away from that rule. This nominal area choropleth map should which regions have access to safe drinking water. 

Bivariate Choropleth Maps

http://www.directionsmag.com/articles/sports-illustrated-from-swimsuits-to-maps-the-making-of-the-si-sports-atlas/123556

This map is called a Bivariate Choropleth map of the United States which shows where many of our Olympic Athletes come from. A Bivariate Choropleth map uses two variables and different shading to show concentration of those variables.  

Range Graded Proportional Circle Map

http://www.neiu.edu/~ejhowens/377/examples.htm

Range Graded Proportional Circle Maps show a selected range of values that correspond to the charting of the number of occurrences on the map. This map shows the populations of Filipino's in the Southeastern United States in the Year 2000. I like this maps because they are easy to interpret and fun to look at. 

Unclassed Choropleth Map

http://www.math.yorku.ca/SCS/Gallery/milestone/thumb5/popup/bssn1_popup1-19.htm

Unclassed Choropleth Maps assign shadings proportional to the amount of data rather by a key with percentages or numbers of occurrences. This maps will usually just show the area with no other help from keys like we normally see on maps. This map here shows the reading literacy rates in France during 1826. 

Univariate Choropleth Map

http://people.cas.sc.edu/hardistf/research.htm

Univariate Choropleth Maps only show one variable or one single attribute. This map shows the occurrence of a single variable. The darker areas show high concentration. These maps are useful when studying only one factor. 

Unstandardized Choropleth Map

http://www.uwec.edu/webprojects/geog367/northwoods/silent_sports.html

Unstandardized Choropleth Maps are usually used to show distributions of a variables. It lacks standardization and is not an average. This is a map of number of canoe shops by county around the Great Lakes. The darker colored shapes are more concentrated than the lighter ones. 

Parallel Coordinate Graph

http://andrewgelman.com/2007/10/15/parallel_coordi/

A Parallel Coordinate graph is a way of viewing high dimensional geometry and analyzing multivariate data. A parallel coordinate graph charts coordinates or variables of data points on an axis. Lines then connect these points to make a complete graph. Many of these maps are used to show budgets. 

DEM

http://ned.usgs.gov/Ned/historic.asp

DEM maps are used to show elevation of Earth's surface. DEM is usually used by the USGS especially in studying large volcanoes and mountains. This DEM image is a photo of Mount Saint Helens after the explosion. 

DLG

http://weather.unisys.com/usgs/3sec/index.php

DLG maps are also known as Digital Line Graphs. These are cartographic maps that are used by USGS to survey land. They usually have nine different categories of features depending on its' scale. There are two different formats; optional format and Spatial Data Transfer Standard (SDTS). This map shows the elevation of the country. 

DRG

http://egsc.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/factsheets/fs08801.html

This is a DRG map also known as a Digital Raster Graphic map. DRG maps are scanned images of a USGS topographic map for use on a computer. It usually includes the original border information also known as "map collar." This is a map of the Potomac River area from the USGS survey. 

Planimetric Map

http://www.welt-atlas.de/map_of_paris_center_1-695

This is a Planimetric Map of Paris. These are your everyday maps that people use to find their way around certain areas. They can highlight key buildings and areas that are important to that region. I choose this Planimetric map because I will be traveling to Paris this summer! 

Mental Map

http://www.randylahaie.com/blog/the-nuts-and-bolts-of-awareness-part-2/

Mental Maps are basically anything that you think of as a map in your head. These types of maps are usually very creative and is easily read by the creator. Mental maps are good to use to organize your mind and to remember important points. 

PLSS Map

http://www.fairview-industries.com/standardmodule/mn-exmpl.htm

PLSS stands for Public Land Survey System. It is used to divide public domain land which is owned by the Federal Government. They are rectangular in shape and helps organize every state and part of the country into easily accessible areas. The PLSS is monitored by the Department of Interior.  

LIDAR

http://imaging.geocomm.com/gallery/wtc-lidar092701-overview.jpg

Lidar stands for Light Detection and Ranging or Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging. This technology is remote sensing that measures the distance to targets by illuminating the target with laser light and analyzing the backscattered light. This remote sensing is used in many different fields of study. This LIDAR map is the one of ground zero in New York. 

Black and White Aerial Photo

http://jhlab.wordpress.com/2010/09/

Black and White Aerial photos are useful when reviewing an area. They can show major buildings and roadways that are prominent in the area. I think that these are a little outdated compared to what we have today from the development of technology but still useful somewhat. 

Infared Aerial Photo

http://californiamapsociety.org/mapping/remote.php

An infrared aerial photo uses wavelengths that the human eye cannot see. These photos are used by many different institutions; including the Environmental Protection Agency and military. They are beneficial for the environment because it is an easy way to observe fire damage and to track chemical spills. This photo is a valley in the state of California monitoring pesticide amount in the soil. 

Cartographic Animation

http://www.nrmsc.usgs.gov/research/glacier_model.htm

This is a cartographic animation of the retreating glaciers at Glacier National Park. Cartographic animations are helpful tools that help us compare data over a long period of time. I think they are very useful in environmental science and land conservation. I choose this animation because Glacier National Park is one of my favorite parks and it is determined that once huge glaciers of this park will be out of existence by the year 2020. 

Isoline Maps

http://indiemaps.com/blog/2008/06/isolining-package-for-actionscript-3/

Isoline maps show lines connecting points of equal value. They can be on graphs, charts, and other different kinds of maps. These types of lines (maps) are very common and easy to read. This isoline map shows temperatures throughout the United States.  

Proportional Circle Maps

http://propagandica.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/circlesizeisproportionaltotheamounteachcountysleadingcandidateisahead.jpg

A continuously variable proportional circle map is a proportional circle map, which utilizes circles to create point data for quantitative data.  The circles are in proportion to the variable that is being measured not exactly the area over which it is measured. For this Proportional Circle Map these circles both red and blue show the amount each county’s leading candidate was ahead in 2008. These maps are useful when looking at data that occurs in large amounts and effect many areas

Isopach

http://higheredbcs.wiley.com/legacy/college/levin/0471697435/chap_tut/chaps/chapter10-06.html

Above is an example of an isopach map which is used to show different variations in thickness within a certain stratum. These are also contour lines that show equal thickness over an area and are utilized many times in sedimentology and in stratigraphy. This map shows Eastern United States and its stratum levels. 

Isohyets

http://www.nzdl.org/gsdlmod?e=d-00000-00---off-0ccgi--00-0----0-10-0---0---0direct-10---4-------0-1l--11-en-50---20-about---00-0-1-00-0-0-11-1-0utfZz-8-00&cl=CL3.6&d=HASHda30a7db653254f3b1261d.7&gt=2

A Isohyet map shows lines connecting points having the same amount of rainfall in a given period. Weather forecasters probability use these lines the most. I think they are a good indicator of how much rainfall an area gets. 

Isotachs

http://www.erh.noaa.gov/btv/events/28Oct2008/ua2.php

This map shows isotachs which are lines in a given surface connecting points with equal wind speed. This map shows the wind speeds of the United States where they are equal. They are also called isokinetic lines. I thought this map was a good representation of the isotach lines. 

Statistical Maps

http://www.phombo.com/miscellaneous/world-maps/11237/full/popular/

This is a Statistical Map. It uses quantitative data over geographical areas to portray certain information.  Like this map, Statistical maps can make use of other charts especially Pie Charts. This is a map of the major religions of the world. I choose this one because it provided a Pie Chart and the use of color helped better understand the information conveyed. 

Similarity Matrix

http://cbrg.ethz.ch/Server/ServerBooklet/section2_14.html

A Similarity Matrix is a type of graph comprised of multiple squares that create the matrix. These squares are aligned in a sequence. Scores with larger numbers are assigned to characters, which are very similar. Characters that are dissimilar are assigned negative numbers. The overall goal of this matrix is to express similarity between two different data points, which are being observed.

This similarity matrix that is displayed shows the similarity of Amino Acids at 250 PAM. I choose this map because I am interested in genetics and amino acids. 

Lorenz Curve

http://www.answers.com/topic/lorenz-curve

An accumulative graph or Lorenz curve could also be called a probability curve. It is a graph for showing the concentration of ownership of economic quantities such as wealth and income. Formed by plotting the cumulative distribution of the amount of the variable concerned against the cumulative frequency distribution of the individuals possessing amount.  This graph displays the cumulative percentage of income over cumulative percent of population. 

Scatterplot

http://www.genderpsychology.org/autogynephilia/ray_blanchard/autogynephilic_androphilic.html

Scatter plots show the relationship between two variables by displaying data points on a two deminsional graph. Scatter plots can provide information about the relationship between the two variables including the strength, shape, and direction. This scatter plot shows the sexual orientation of transsexuals. The right bottom corner shows homosexual transsexuals and the upper left side shows non-homosexual transsexuals. The scale is 0 means no attraction and 100 is the highest possible level of attraction.

Population Profile

http://www.census.gov/2010census/

Population profile is a graph analyzing the extent to which a group of people exhibit a certain quality or characteristic. Both x- and y- axis are labeled with the analyzing factor range, and the graph consists of horizontal bars. This example looks at the amount of Population by sex and age in the 2010 Census of the District of Columbia. It seems as if there are more females between the ages of 20-30 than there are male. I choose this map because I thought it was easy to read and understand. 

Index Value Plot

http://waterwatch.usgs.gov/index.php?id=real&sid=w__plot&r=nc

An index value plot is a type of visualization map in which an index value, instead of an absolute value. It is then plotted on a line in a line graph. This index value plot gives comparison values which are compared to a normal line which the values are based off of. This map shows average streamflow index in North Carolina. It seems like most of the stream flow is under or just meeting normal levels. 

Triangular Plot

http://www.mapsofworld.com/thematic-maps/bermuda-triangle-map.html

This is a map of the Bermuda Triangle. This triangular map is called so because it shows the shape of a triangle. These were usually used during the time of trade of slaves and cash crops. These were maps that can be easily remembered because there are three distinct points to it. 

Cartograms

http://agro.biodiver.se/2007/03/singer-cartogram/

This type of map is known as a cartogram. A cartogram uses some thematic mapping variable. An example of this is travel time which is substituted for land area or distance. Being a distorted map, cartograms convey the information for the alternative variable. This cartogram shows the amount of singers by country of origin. 

Choropleth Maps

http://www.agcensus.usda.gov/Publications/2002/Ag_Atlas_Maps/Crops_and_Plants/

A Cholorpleth map is a map that uses color to portray whatever variable it is describing. This map is describing acres used for hay protection in 2002. This map is a choropleth map because of its use of the different shades of green to portray the data of this map. The data on the map is the amount of different hay grown. I choose this map because the production of Hay interests me. And from the map we can tell the majority of hay is grown in the Midwest! 

Cadastral Maps

http://elcoco.co/new-cadastral-maps-provide-better-security-for-property-in-costa-rica/

This map is used for instructional purposes to show the outcome of Cadastral surveying. It shows a public record, survey, or map of the value and ownership of property as a basis of taxation. This Cadastral map shows a town in the country of Costa Rica. These maps help better the protection of these certain neighborhoods. 

Hypsometric Map

http://www.esri.com/news/arcwatch/0612/using-image-analysis-functions-to-display-layer-tints-on-hillshades.html

On a hypsometric map each color represents an amount of elevation above or below a baseline. Some hypsometric maps include the contour lines of elevation, while others omit them. Some maps, like the one above, use shading so that there is not a distinct break between each color and the elevation is conveyed in a more fluid manner. Generally, green represents the lowest elevation, then up to yellow and tan and brown, with white at the top. This map shows a hypsometric color scheme for an area of Washington state. I choose this map because Washington state is my second home and I love the different elevations of this area. 

Doppler Radar

http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/radar/

DDoppler radar is a tool that makes use of the doppler effect to track objects at a distance. This type of technology is most commonly used in meteorology; more specifically used in tracking storms for immediate relay of information. Doppler radar allows us to pick up a storms size and speed; it can give us this information even days before it hits and area, but usually these early of readings are not accurate. The doppler radar shown above shows the size and speed of Hurricane Ivan before it hit the Gulf coast. The colors represent the intensity of the storm with red being the strongest and green being the lightest part of the storm. 

Isobars

http://drmrenfrew.wordpress.com/page/2/

Isobars are an interesting tool that weather forecasters use to determine atmospheric pressure. These bars show atmospheric pressures at a certain time and level. The distances between each isobar is equal. If isobars are very close together like the ones in the south of France are in this map, then there is going to be a low pressure system moving in, meaning there is going to be stormy weather. I choose this map because I took a Physical Geography class one semester and really enjoyed how to read these types of maps. 

Histogram

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Histogram

A histogram is a graphical display of a distribution of data, shown as rectangles. Each rectangle is erected over a certain interval with equal area to the frequency of the interval. The height of the rectangle is also correlated to the frequency density of another interval. This histogram here shows the frequency of a number and the arrivals per minute. I choose this histogram because I thought it was interesting to show the different colored rectangles. 

Box Plot

http://staffweb.mps.k12.mi.us/MurphyLL/Resources.html

A box plot can also by known as a box diagram. It is an easy way to graphically depict groups of numerical data through their 5 number summaries. In this box plot the Q4 reads about 125 and the lower Q1 reads about 30. These are the annual snow depths at Mathsville Ski Resort. I choose this box plot because it is very basic but still shows a true box diagram. 

Stem and Leaf Plot

http://www.mytestbook.com/worksheet.aspx?test_id=1104&grade=6&subject=Math&topics=Data%20Handling%20Stem%20and%20Leaf%20Plot

A Stem and Leaf Plot is a frequency diagram in which the raw data is displayed together with its frequency. The data is then placed in suitable groups. I choose this stem and leaf plot because I thought it was very easy to read. Stem and Leaf plots are an important map to learn how to read because you will see them in any industry. 

Correlation Matrix

www.livestockgenomics.csiro.au/Genome_to_Phenome/

A Correlation Matrix is a kind of map that shows relationships between different types of variables. It uses quantitative data and theory to make this kind of map. Another interesting fact about correlation matrixes  is that there are set rules and steps on how to read them.  This correlation matrix map shows the relationship between tissues. I choose this correlation matrix because I am very interesting in different types of cancers and how they correlate to each other. 

Flow Map

http://www.mekongmigration.org/?page_id=25

This is a Flow map of labor migration. Flow maps show a moment of a set of data from one place to another. Examples of data are money, goods, or peoples. They make reading the data easy to follow, hence why I think they make a great way to display certain data.

Isopleth Map

http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=132504

Isopleth Maps are mostly used to show surface elevations, precipitation, and atmospheric pressure. It makes it simple to read when looking at data with a continuous distribution. What makes these maps useful is that it shows data in the third dimension. This Isopleth map shows the outcome of the H1N1 virus on California during the year 2009.

Windrose

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Wind_rose_plot.jpg

Originally known as a Compass Rose, the Windrose is used to track winds over a period of time. This helps meteorologist determine weather patterns. It tracks things such as speed and direction. The colors on the Wind rose show wind ranges and form which directions they are blowing from.  

Climograph

http://www.colorado.edu/geography/extra/geogweb/bouldercreek-2/preview/page2.html

This Climograph represents the amount of rainfall and temperature in Boulder, Colorado. This graphs are very useful when determining the average climate in a certain area. From the graph you can see that May is the month with the highest amount of rainfall. It also looks like June is the month with the highest temperature. 

Dot Distribution Map

http://amacogis.wordpress.com/2009/02/09/37/

Dot Distribution Maps use dots to show a collection of data. This map shows population of the nonmetro poor and it seems like the majority of the poor are on the East coast. 

Bilateral Graph

http://strangemaps.wordpress.com/?s=suicide

Bilateral graphs display two related variables and how they differ in function. They can increase and decrease on either side of the map. This map shows the number of people and on which side of the bridge they committed suicide on the Golden Gate Bridge.  

Star Plots

http://start1.jpl.nasa.gov/caseStudies/autoTool.cfm

This Star Plot illustrate multiple variables for location or other observations shown. Resulting lines around each primary point then allows for comparison against the star plots for other locations and data. 

Thematic Map

http://soils.usda.gov/use/thematic/images/drought_1_gen_area_map.jpg

This type of map shows the effects of drought on the United States and the soil moisture regimes. It is a thermatic map which is a type of map that shows a specific theme over a given area. These themes can portray agriculture, political viewpoints, and economics over states, regions, and countries. I choose this map because soil moisture regimes is something that I enjoy studying. 

Topographic Map

http://mappery.com/Mount-Rainier-Topographic-Map

This map of Mt. Rainier is a topographic map. It shows both man made and natural features of the surrounding area of the mountain. These maps are used mostly by people that want to understand the geographic characteristics of the area of study. I choose this map because I love Mt. Rainier and hopefully I too will be using this kind of map to study before my hike to the top! 

Propaganda Map

http://kuoest.wordpress.com/

The Propaganda map is used to persuade people to think one way or another. This propaganda shows the way President Reagan thought during the Cold War. They are used to get a political point across to those reading it. Clearly the USSR was America's biggest enemy during this time.