Thematic Maps
Thematic maps display and emphasize specific themes of a particular geographic area. They allow visualization of a represented variable making it easier to understand statistics. Themes are layered over a typical map that shows cities, bodies of water, etc. Themes can include population, temperature, economic activity, land utilization, household income, and many more. Also, there are subcategories for thematic maps because all themes can not be represented appropriately using the same type. Choosing a subcategory is critical to representing data in an accurate and visually appealing way.
Isoline Map
An isoline map is good for representing variables of temperature because it shows ranges of like values with similar colors, and sometimes patterns. These maps do not have boundaries lines, but rather a gradual change. However, point of equal value are connected, forming isolines. For example, crossing over the isoline from dark orange to light orange would mean a decrease in the temperature, while crossing the isoline from yellow to light orange would mean an increase in the temperature.
Temperature
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Chloropleth Map
A chloropleth map works for showing land utilization because these maps show a variable using shaded or patterned areas with boundaries. The areas displayed on the map are proportional to the measurement of the statistic shown in the map key.
Land Utilization
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Graduated Circle(Proportional Symbols) Map
A proportional symbol map displays symbols that are relative to the size of the variable represented. These maps most often use graduated circles to represent the variable. A graduated circle map is perfectly appropriate in reflecting a population because it easily displays which areas are most and least populated by using different sized circles.
Population Density of Portugal
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