TOPOGRAPHIC MAP

A Topographic Map is a type of map characterized by large-scale detail and quantitative representation of relief, usually using contour lines in modern mapping, but historically using a variety of methods. Traditional definitions require a topographic map to show both natural and man-made features.

This image is a Topographic Map of Romania showing the different elevations of this land. For those of us not familiar with Romania, listed below are a few interesting tidbits of information about Romania:

• Romania is located in Southeastern Europe, bordering the Black Sea, between Bulgaria and Ukraine, comprising of 237,500 sq km.
• Romania has a population of 22,329,977 (2005).

THEMATIC MAP

A Thematic Map shows the spatial distribution of one or more specific data themes for standard geographic areas. The map may be qualitative in nature (e.g., predominant farm types) or quantitative (e.g., percentage population change). In contrast to reference maps which show many geographic features (forests, roads, political boundaries), thematic maps emphasize spatial variation of one or a small number of geographic distributions.

This Thematic Maps shows the population percent change in the United States between 1990 and 1996. The source of the data is the USDC, Bureau of the Census.

UNSTANDARDIZED CHOROPLETH MAP

An Unstandardized Choropleth Map portrays areal data, and is not areally averaged in any way. The Areal divisions are often boundaries like census tracts, counties, states.

This Unstandardized Choropleth Map shows the acres of forage (hay, silage, etc.) The map is showing that the total hay or silage acres in each county is more regionally diffuse, since it proportionately favors the largest counties, notably those in central California, southeastern Oregon, and the northern Plains.

SIMILARITY MATRIX

A similarity matrix, a type of geovisualization, is a matrix of scores which express the similarity between two data points. Similarity matrices are used in sequence alignment. Higher scores are given to more-similar characters, and lower or negative scores for dissimilar characters.

This image is a similarity matrix of the song by the Beatles, “Hey Jude”. This Similarity Matrix was designed to show the repetition parts. Noted observations are:

• The "deep blue" part along the off-diagonal lines of similarity matrix represents repeating parts.
• The chorus is easier to detect from the similarity matrix than the verse.
• The dissimilar part between very similar parts is usually instrument playing without vocal sounds.

STANDARDIZED CHOROPLETH MAP

A Standardized Choropleth map portrays areal data, and is areally averaged (i.e. Density-persons per square mile, percentages). The Areal divisions are often boundaries like census tracts, counties, states.

This Standardized Choropleth Map shows Canada – Percentage of Population Aged 14 and Under. The data used for this map is from the 2006 Census Data.

CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE PROPORTIONAL CIRCLE MAP

A Continuously Variable Proportional Circle Map is a proportional circle map, where we point data mapped with a circle instead of a dot, and there are not a finite or set number of sizes used for the circles. The circles can come in all sizes.

This image is a map Continuously Variable Proportional Circle Map of the 2002 Gorilla Groups Locations in Uganda. Each circle represents one group, with the size of the circle proportional to the size of the group.

RANGE-GRADED PROPORTIONAL CIRCLE MAP

A Range-Graded Proportional Circle Map is a proportional circle map, where we point data mapped with a circle instead of a dot, and there are a finite or set number of sizes used for the circles.

This image is a map Range-Graded Proportional Circle Map of Filipino Population for selected states in the year 2000. The data comes from the 2000 Census Bureau.