Thematic Map

Thematic maps are useful for understanding specific topics and often rely on chloropleth map characteristics to get across their messages. This one is conveying the average temperatures across Australia. It uses colors to indicate where high average temperatures are located and low temperatures are located.

http://www.bestcountryreports.com/Temperature_Map_Australia.html

Mental Maps

Mental Maps are often rough, crude drawings with little attention payed to scale and rely on an individuals mental picture of the area. These types of maps are not to be relied on for scientific or statistical data but are most helpful for directions or knowing a rough layout of an area.

http://www.fedstats.gov/kids/mapstats/concepts_mentalmaps.html

Hypsometric Map

Hypsometric maps are used by cartographers to illustrate changes in elevation. This is achieved by using different colors to represent different heights and then shading appropriately. This map shows a region of France and how near the rivers mouth the elevation is low.

http://www.reliefshading.com/colors/hypsometric.html

Univariate Chloropleth Map

This map depicts poverty in the United States. It uses the baseline lowest level of poverty to set where the darkest color should be and then usually gradually lightens the color. It shows that areas in the Arizona and Texas have the highest percentages of poverty.

http://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2007/oct/07_0091.htm

Propaganda Map

Propaganda Maps are most often used to depict a certain areas view of what they think about the world. In this case the map is favorable to America and shows the rest of the world as beneath us. It is not at all an accurate representation of the world but shows a common view of many Americans.

http://kansieo.com/2008/04/08/the-world-according-to-texans/

Prism Map

This is a prism map representing West Nile Virus cases in the United States. This type of map is nice cause it allows for easy assumptions to be made when one looks at it. It uses colors to indicating number of cases but also uses the height of the states to indicate which has more cases. This map also shows that the misconception that gulf states were the most vulnerable it was in fact the upper midwestern states that were at most risk.

http://www.goldensoftware.com/products/mapviewer/mapviewer-maptypes.shtml

Range graded proportional circle map

Range graded maps deal sets the standard for the size of the distribution bubbles by subtracting the largest population time from the smallest size. This allows for a nice equal distribution and realistic sized bubbles to the population size. Also as you notice the bubbles are proportional to the population size due to the range set.

http://www.neiu.edu/~jrthomas/377/circle.jpg

Thematic Maps

This map deals with the population density of Japan. It uses influences from chloropleth maps to show that Japan's cities are very densely populated. It also shows that Japan is very densely populated in the cities and that the country side is also populated but not nearly densely populated as the urban areas.

http://www.bestcountryreports.com/Population_Map_Japan.html

Box Plot

Box plots are useful for understanding data in terms of median and other statistical data types. In these types of plots you can begin to understand all the data. It allows you to see the distribution of the data. They are especially useful when seeing if there are any outliers.

http://edubuzz.org/blogs/nbhs3x1/2007/01/08/8-jan-2007-five-figure-summary-and-box-plots/

Dot Distribution Map

Dot distribution maps deal with the density of the data sets. This map deals specifically with bird citings in North America. These types of maps can be useful when trying to figure out densities of populations.

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/pfw_fr/Members/ParticipantMap00.htm

Standardized Chloropleth Map

Standardized Chloropleth Maps use colors to depict percentages of a type of data in specific constraints. This one deals specifically with percentage of the population under the age of 14. In these types of data sets they set a standard where the lowest population percentage sets the standard.

http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/92f0138m/2008003/figures/5200001-eng.htm

Scatter Plot

Scatter plots are used to plot data on an x and y axis. Often the data has two variables one that is controlled and one that is variable. This data can be fit to a trend line and from this you can often detect outliers once you run statistical analysis on it.

http://www.itl.nist.gov/div898/handbook/eda/section3/eda33q.htm

Correlation Matrix

Correlation matrixes are used to show relationships among a large data set. This can be helpful if one is trying to track genetic inheritances among an animal population as is depicted above. But can also be used for large human populations to track how they're moving in a specific geographic area.

http://www.livestockgenomics.csiro.au/Genome_to_Phenome/matrix32_blocked.png

Pie Maps

Pie maps can be used to show how the population is broken up. In this case it deals with how the population is broken up among the different counties. These maps could be useful when trying to break up the racial makeup of a certain area.

http://www.goldensoftware.com/products/mapviewer/mapviewer-maptypes.shtml

Index Value Plot

Index value plots show the differences between two extremes with the normal being placed in the middle. In this case it is being related to stream flow and where normal lies. This type of graph is helpful when it comes to showing anomalies in water flow over time. And also shows that for the most part the water flow has been closer to the dry side.

http://waterwatch.usgs.gov/?m=real&w=plot&r=nm

Digital Elevation Models

Digital elevation models are used specifically to get elevation maps into a digital 3-D image. This allows for greater analysis of the area and also lets you get a more realistic view of what the area looks like. It allows you to see anomalies that might other wise be missed because a flat elevation map might not show it as clearly.

http://www.landmonitor.wa.gov.au/default.aspx?id=5

Cartographic Animation

This map uses 3-D animation to depict changes in elevation for a specific area and how it relates to wind speed. This type of map can be used to understand the movement of winds within a weather system but also can be used to understand how the gain power through wind convection.

http://cartography2.org/Chapters/page6/OverviewAnimated.html

Histogram

Histograms are used to depict one type of data against two different parameters. This often results in data bars that are clustered along a certain area on a bar graph. This data is often normalized to meet statistical guidelines so that is best fits gaussian statistics.

http://www.wind-power-program.com/wind_statistics.htm

Isohyets

Isohyets are used to depict areas of equal precipitation. The areas along the lines show wehre equal precipitation is occurring. This can be useful so you can see where areas of low precipitation are. Also it can show how water is being distributed across an area and any measures necessary to counteract that.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/weather/ianfergusson/2010/06/formula-one-weather-forecast-c-1.shtml

Windrose

Windroses are used to determine the major directions winds are originating from. This can be useful for ships if they are reading ocean windroses so they know how to best angle their ships in transit. Also can be useful for future wind farms so they know the areas that are best to place their windmills and what direction.

http://www.climate.washington.edu/climate.html

Thematic map of New Businesses

This map depicts the rapid population growth in the western states in the early to mid-nineties. This can be useful when it comes to future realignments of congressional districts. And also when it comes how money is going to be split up for resources.

http://www.infousagov.com/thematicmap.asp

Thematic Map

Thematic maps can be used for a variety of purposes. The maps main focus is on one topic typically and it can use a variety of methods best illustrate that. Usually combining statistical data or other outside sources to make its point.

http://mapmaker.rutgers.edu/355/churches_Hawaii2.jpg

Proportional Circle Maps

This type of map uses proportional circles to illustrate population but can also be used to show distribution of races in areas of the country. This map uses the circle to show the size of urban populations and how the populations around the city are being distributed. It also lets you see the footprint large urban areas have.

http://mapmaker.rutgers.edu/355/dotProporCircle.jpg

Lorenz Curve

Lorenz curves are used to show where equal distribution lies and then in a separate curve how it really is. This curve shows how income is truly distributed. This can be helpful when analyzing distribution of wealth. One could also use this in conjunction with a race distribution curve to see the inequalities in wealth distribution between races.
http://www.answers.com/topic/lorenz-curve

Topographical Map of South America

Topographical maps are useful when it comes to understanding the geography of a given area. In this case it shows us that South America is mountainous on one part of the continent but also shows us that the majority of the continent isn't lowland rain forest but most high plateaus.

http://www.zonu.com/South-America/Physical_en.html

Climograph for Boulder

Climographs depict temperature and precipitation next to one another so one can see how the weather changes in a particular area over a years span. This type of graph is useful if say one is trying to predict when the best growing seasons would be. Also comes in use when one is deciding to move to an area and wants to know what the weather is like their annually.

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

Statistical Map

Statistical maps depict data from various regions of a target area placed onto a map in a fashion as to show high hit areas versus low hit areas. These maps can be useful when tracking say police mistakes as is depicted here. Or also when tracking election results showing how people are voting and which areas in the future would be best to target.

http://www.injusticeeverywhere.com/?p=1569

LIDAR maps

LIDAR maps are useful when dealing with elevation. It is most useful in cities where it is often hard to tell elevation changes due to the large amounts of buildings. This could come in handy if say a flood were to happen by showing areas that are most likely to heaviest hit.

http://www.utsa.edu/lrsg/

PLSS Map

This type of map is used in municipalities to determine which types of properties are within a community. Also they can be used to develop tax codes. This is because if a city sees that the majority of its properties are business they would adjust their property taxes to hit businesses up for more money. Also they would change the land plots to have more residential communities come into the area.

http://www.kitsapgov.com/gis/maplibrary/

Infrared Aerial Map

This map provides us with an Infrared picture of the ground. The usefulness of these pictures is that they can show depositions of the ground. Also they can provide us with an idea of how the sun is affecting this area and if it is experiencing any outlandish ground temperatures.

http://www.outintheboonies.com/Hal_Scott/

Flow Map of America

This map shows the major route trucks take when leaving Texas and their major destinations. This shows that most freight that leaves Texas ends up in California and the Northeast. This is most likely due to these two areas being major shipping ports for our country.

http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/texas/combtrk_tx_1998.jpg

Population Profile Map

This map shows a growing population and how a large proportion of the country has AIDS. This map is indicative of a developing country with most of the population being very young. Most likely it represents an African nation.

http://www.ifad.org/operations/regional/pf/aids_1.htm

Unstandardized chloropleth map

This map shows an unstandardized map of U.S. population ancestry. It shows how the U.S. is broken down in terms of perceived ancestry. However it is not standardized so it does not allow for a very accurate view of what our populations makeup really is.

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

Mental Maps China

This mental map shows how China views us and the rest of the world with respect to their country. This type of mapping can also fall into Propaganda map types. But often it allows for a quick view of their world view and allows you to see what they are seeing.

http://www.economist.com/printedition/index.cfm?d=20090321

Cadastral Map of Land plots

This map deals with land parcels within a specific community. These types of maps are useful when dealing specifically with peoples property within a city or community. They cannot be to useful when used for extremely large areas as the curvature of the earth will distort their plots.

http://www.spaceage.co.in/cadastral-surveys.php

Propaganda Map from WWI

This map represents the Germans view of themselves prior to the start of WWI. It shows how they feel they are the superior being in the European continent. This map would most likely inspire pride in the German lands and make the people more complacent to war.

http://bibliodyssey.blogspot.com/2008/08/dogs-of-war.html

Doppler Radar Image of Florida during a Hurricane

This picture depicts a hurricane passing over the state of Florida. The usefulness of Doppler imagery is that it allows for up to date weather patterns. It allows for rapid forecasts to be made and to alert the public more rapidly. This image would be useful in knowing affected areas of the Hurricane and how to best deploy emergency crews to the area.

http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2004/s2311.htm

Black and White Aerial of Wrigley Field

This picture shows us the historic Wrigley field in black and white from the air. Although now a days used for artistic purposes black and white pictures can also be used to analyze the ground situation of a major city or highway. Also the pictures can be used to analyze battlefield situations.

http://www.horschgallery.com/addtocart2.aspx?pdctid=%C5%93O

Topographical Map of the Himalayas

This map is a representation of the topography of the Himalayas and Tibetan plateau. It allows us to see that this region of the world has extremely high elevation. It could useful if one is trying to chart a path through the mountains or determine which peaks are the highest.

http://www.geo.cornell.edu/Grad_Student/duncan/topo/

Isobar Map of the Midwest

This map represents a storm system over the midwest of the United States. This type of map is useful when dealing with approaching storm systems or good weather systems. It is most useful when predicting coming weather patterns as low pressure systems represent storms.

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/unr/?n=05-06-99