What are thematic maps? They are maps based on a specific subject in relation to a geographic area. Thematic maps provide a visualization for the relationship between data and location so that we may better understand the data we are exploring.
Cartographers have invented many methods for exploring data using thematic maps. We'll take a look at some of the most popular methods here:
Choropleth maps
Choropleth maps are one of the most common and effective ways to visualize the relationship between data and the world. Discrete geographic boundaries are shaded with various shades of hue or entirely different colors, in proportion to a chosen statistical variable. Data that map well to bounded areas include the GDP of countries around the world, variance of crime rate by state or province, and the educational attainment of people within certain neighborhoods.
Examples
- Explore Renewable Energy around the World
- The Total Export Value of every Chinese Province
- Biggest Stadiums in every US State