Isopleths

Map Link

Above is a map of air contamination via dispersement of toxic chemicals from various waste incinerators around Jacksonville Florida. I chose this map because I am from Jacksonville and I found it very interesting to see this. As we learned, isopleths are used when we can't quite use classes or actual numerical depictions on our maps. An isopleth is a type of contour line that connects areas that have equal values. So, in the map above, the red line indicates areas around Jacksonville with equal amounts of the toxic chemical wastes. It can be helpful to use isopleths when we need to depict information more visually, like in this case, to show the "barrier." It also greatly helps in making correlations about the damage that these toxic waste incinerators are doing. 

Range Graded Proportional Circle Maps

Map Link

Range graded proportional circle maps are an easy way to show a lot of data at once. Not only do we get to see the data in the traditional proportional circles, larger size, larger data numbers, we get to see data within those circles as well. The images in the circles represents a range of data that each of the individual circles fall into. 

Unstandardized Choropleth Map

Map Link

The above map is an example of an unstandardized choropleth maps. With this map type, the raw data is taken and then put straight into the maps. This map can sometimes be misleading in that it doesn't take into account things that could skew the results. For instance, areas in California have a lot more juvenile aged people than say, Kansas, so this map isn't exactly representative of the real numbers. It makes it look like there aren't any crimes for juvenile ages in the midwest, while there are a ton in the west. It is just generally better to standardize the maps in order to have a more reliable product.

Standardized Choropleth Map

Map Link

Standardized choropleth maps are good to use because they make sure that the data is presented in the most efficient and accurate matter. They use constant methods for dividing the classes so that the classes are represented accurately. Above, we have a map of Canada made during the census to look at populations of people 14 and under. Because this map is standardized, we can be assured that the data is accurately portrayed and set up into equal classes. 

Star Plot

Map Link

When we have a multivariate data set, star plots are handy in giving us a way to analyze all of the various data. All of the data start off in the center and move outwards depending on what the data shows. The map above looks at a star plot for various vehicles released in 1979. The differences in angle between the line give us information about the various variables in our data. 

Correlation Matrix

Map Link

A correlation matrix is a matrix in which a correlation is made between all pairs in a data set. It works to compute the correlation between the various columns. 

Similarity Matrix

Map Link

Here is a similarity matrix. In all of its confusion, these maps allow us to express similarity between two data points. Higher scores are given to data with higher similarity and vice versa. In my reading, I learned that these are frequently used to line up DNA sequences, done based off of similarity. 

Box Plot

Map Link

With box plots, the data is set into quantiles that show the highest values, lowest, and the median value in the middle. Box plots are also helpful in looking at whether or not a data set has outliers that may need to be thrown out. The length of the boxes and the "whiskers" attached to them give us information about the data set. These can be helpful when we need too look at a data set distribution as a whole. 

Histogram

Map Link

Histograms allow for a visual representation of a data set. Frequencies, kind of like the classes in a choropleth map, allow us to see the probability that something will occur in a given data set. The thing to be measured lays on the x axis, while the frequencies can be seen on the y axis. These types of visualizations are handy when doing things like surveys and when we want to make sure a test is "fair", it'll have the "bell curve" shape on its histogram. 

Parallel Coordinate Graph

Map Link

Here we have a parallel coordinate graph. This is an example of a small one, but with these types of visualizations, we can look at multiple data sets all in one place. These maps are helpful in that they allow us to look at many different variable, which can be found on the x axis. 

Triangular Plot

Map Link

This visualization here is an example of a triangular plot. This type of map is used a lot in analyzation of the soil types in an area. It gives us a way to look at a lot of different variables and with three different axises. So here, after analyzing the soil type, we could reference the percent clay, percent silt, and percent sand and the intersection will be what type of soil we have. 

Population Profile

Map Link

Here we see a population profile for Japan. As we all hear in the news, the birth rates in Japan are declining and these three maps show this. With a population profile, the bars represent the amount of individuals that fall in that age bracket of the y axis. The first graph shows high birth rates, and this is exemplified in the high number of children born. In the next two graphs, we can really see how the number of youth has declined and the amount of elderly has increased. These maps can be extremely helpful in analyzing population changes in a given location. 

Index Value Plot

Map Link

This map is an example of an index value plot. Here, we can look at variations in a particular situation. Here, this comes from the USGS where they are looking at streamflow, and in this case, of New Mexico. We can see the standard line, normal and the etchings in the line show variations from the normal, so whether it was wet or dry that year. These types of visualizations can be very handy at looking at changes in something that occur over a period of years. 

Lorenz Curve

Map Link

With a Lorenz curve, typically found in economics, we can see the difference between how a perfect situation would be, with equality, and how the situation actually is, with the inequalities. These types of graphs are especially handy when looking at the economy. They can be very eye opening as to exactly how far from equality we are. 

Bilateral Graph

Map Link

This map is an example of a bilateral graph. Sometimes, we have data sets that have both positive and negative values, and need to graph them both. So we tend to see an increase on the positive side and a decrease on the negative side. It also allows us to look at more than one data set at once.

Nominal Area Choropleth Map

Map Link

This map is an example of a nominal area choropleth map. Here, we have things that generally can't be looked at quantitatively. In this map, they take a qualitative approach to look at the number of minority groups in each state, something we could easily look at qualitatively. Here, however, in order to get the idea across, using a nominal choropleth map allows for easy interpretation. 

Bivariate Choropleth Map

Map Link

Here is an example of a bivariate choropleth map. With these types of maps, we have two variable to analyze. We see that we are trying to make a correlation between unemployment rate per county and the total persons with disabilities. This type of map is extremely handy in that it allows us to look at two very important data sets that wouldn't tell us much if they were to be presented alone. By looking at these two data sets together, we can see if there is high unemployment where there is high disability. This could lead us to make a correlation about whether or not disabilities hinder chances of getting hired. As far as the unemployment data goes, the darker the color, the higher the unemployment rates. With the disability data, the larger the wheelchairs, the higher the disability rates. 

Classed Choropleth Map

Map Link

This map is an example of a classed choropleth map. Here, the map data is set up into classes that allow us to see differences around the state. The various regions are colored based on the class in which they fall in. The map above looks at the amount of Hispanic people living in Florida by percent. The classes are set up equally so that the data can be portrayed correctly. The deeper greens, according to the legend, show us a higher percent. Classed choropleth maps are handy ways to look at a large amount of data in a small space. 

Continuously Variable Proportional Circle Map

Map Link

This map is an example of a continuously variable proportional circle map. Unlike a regular proportional circle map, here, we have another variable in place. The circles do still change with frequency like with a proportional circle map, but they also look at other things. Obviously this map is in another language, so naming those variables is hard, but we can also see that the circles change with the frequency and within these frequencies, we can see further variables being analyzed. 

DOQQ (Digital Orthophoto Quarter Quads)

Map Link

This map is an example of a DOQQ representation. They are traditionally orthorectified aerial photos taken usually by the USGS. Oftentimes, as we can see here, the image is taken using infrared light. This light can pick up frequencies that lay outside of the eyesight of the human eye. Therefore, we can see things that a normal photograph can't capture. In these images, the contrast between land and water is higher, and, as we learned in the lecture, things like foliage becomes more pronounced. In DOQQ's each pixel represents 1 meter of land on the ground. This allows for uniformity between different DOQQ images taken. 

DEM (Digital Elevation Model)

Map Link

This map is an example of a digital elevation model. With this type, we have a map that works to show topographic information, specifically elevation. They allow us to get a better idea of the lay of the land and help us to look at elevation changes. They work to show elevation models but with little regard to other information about the land. Being able to look at relief, we can better be able to understand patterns in wind, rain and temperature. For instance, if our DEM shows us a very high mountain, like the very left of the map above, and we see very strong rain on one side, our DEM could help us explain a rain shadow or something like a wind pattern that wraps around the mountain. DEM's could also help with navigation and things that require us to know the land more intimately. 

DLG (Digital Line Graph)

Map Link

This is an example of a digital line graph. Much like the DRG, it is a digital representation of what was originally a paper map. Though a little harder to produce than a DRG, the DLG is helpful in showing us cartographic information, such as roadways, things like elevation (contour lines) and other helpful information. They are derived from aerial photographs and other cartographic sources that allow it, like the DRG, be a more accessible and functioning map, more than something that's just on a paper.

DRG (Digital Raster Graphic)

Map Link

This map is an example of a digital raster graphic. As we learned, a DRG map is a scanned image of a fat topographic map. This allows for further modification and portability of the map that originally only presided on paper. The important thing about DRG maps is that they are georeferenced to the surface of the Earth. These maps are projected to the UTM to give them a uniform consistency. These maps are convenient in getting more out of a traditional map by being able to access it in a digital format. 

Isopach Lines

Map Link

Isopach lines are contour lines that connect areas of equal ground thickness. The image above works to show the thickness of ash that has piled up after the eruption of El Chichon. The legend shows us that this occurred in the south of Mexico. These types of maps are especially important for people looking to do any type of drilling or digging. Say a person was looking to drill for oil. If they had an isopach map, they could know ahead of time how far down they would have to dig in order to reach the oil. By looking at the image, we can see that the ash is piled up in much of a "cone" shape. The small circle at the top slowly gets larger and larger as we go out, with the level of thickness getting thinner and thinner.

Isohyets

Map Link

Isohyets are lines that connect areas of equal rainfall. In the map above, we can see the various shades of green show the level of precipitation, while the lines flowing around the map are areas where it rains the same amount. These types of maps are helpful in that they can help up find trends in precipitation and be able to predict the amount of rain to come. They can also work to show us things about the land in that we can see how geographic features, such as mountains, can affect rain levels. 

Doppler Radar

Map Link

Here we see an example of a doppler radar. Doppler radar is a form of remote sensing in which a microwave radiation signal is used. When the radiation is sent out, it comes back down and gives us information about the weather conditions to be expected. We can learn things such as density of the precipitation, the red areas are generally more dense, and also the rotation of the storm. Doppler is used a lot with hurricanes to help meteorologist track their paths. When the pulse is sent out of the transmitter and it bounces off of the precipitation and hits the receiver again, it now has a different frequency, this new frequency can be used to calculate the velocity of the rain. Doppler radar is a big help in finding out the velocity of precipitation heading in. 

Black and White Aerial Photo

Map Link

The image above is an example of a black and white aerial photo. As we learned in the remote sensing section of class, these photos can capture roughly the same wavelength as the human eye. These maps do a good job of making the shorelines and roads stick out. Though not as descriptive as an IR photo, these photos do a good job of giving an aerial view of the paths people could use for navigation. Unlike IR, the vegetation doesn't stick out as much, but black and white photos do a lot to show things like roads.

Infrared Aerial Photo

Map Link

This image is an example of an infrared aerial photo. By using a infrared film, we can capture images with wavelengths that lay outside of our visible range on the electromagnetic spectrum. These types of images are very good for looking at things such as vegetation due to it being highly reflective to the IR spectrum, as stated in our notes for the remote sensing chapter. We also learned that the difference between water and land is also more pronounced in an IR photo. That idea really sticks out here. The water takes on a deep blue, a high contrast to the red land. By using this type of remote sensing process, we can more easily look at things that we may not be able to notice with our own eyes. 

Statistical Map

Map Link

This map is an example of a statistical map. Here, we can see the change in a variable by way of statistical information, percentages. These maps work to show the variation in quantity for a given factor. In this map, that factor is growth of internet. These maps are helpful in that we can look at how the factor changes over a large area. Each country is met with a bar that represents the growth of internet an this map allows us to analyze how the internet usage has changed between 1995 and 1996 in Africa. 

Flow Map

Map Link

This map is an example of a flow map. These types of maps work to show the movement of goods or communications around an area. The map above works to show the traffic flow between the various countries in Europe. The thickness of the line is proportional to the amount of traffic as stated in the legend. The size of the circle encompassing the countries name also works to depict size. These types of maps are helpful in analyzing trends and how they travel. We could look at something such as a disease and look at a flow map of how it has made it's way around the world. It would be a happy way to track an epidemic. These maps can also be vary eye opening as to the amount of traffic that these various countries receive.

Thematic Map

Map Link

This map is an example of a thematic map. The main difference between thematic maps and traditional maps is that thematic maps work to show a particular theme. In the example above, we see the theme of soil depth to the watershed in Illinois. We can see that the map is not primarily concerned with showing the area of the state like traditional maps. This is evidenced by the fact that the borders of the state are "ghosted" out and the only thing we can see is the outline of the major watersheds that lay within the state. Generally, thematic maps start with a traditional map as a base and then overlay the themed map on top. They are not concerned with things like rivers, mountains and roads, like a regular map, rather, they are interested in enhancing the understanding of the reader of the particular topic at hand.

Planimetric Map

Map Link

This map is an example of a planimetric map. In this map type, we have a 2D map that is mainly used for depiction of roads and city layouts. This map is a direct contrast to the topographical map. In a topographical map, other elements such as elevation are shown to give the map depth. With these maps, they can be used for navigation purposes. The image above is for a proposed new layout for a portion of New York City. We can clearly see roadways and intersections, things that we could use to get around town. These maps are often referred to as "line maps," and for obvious reasons.

Dot Distribution Map

Map Link

This map is an example of a dot distribution map. Here, "dots" are used to show values on a map. For example. This map comes from the U.S. Census Bureau where they track population changes over time. Though it is tough to see, the legend here shows us that one dot represents 7,500 people. Knowing this, we can see that a vast number of people are concentrated on the eastern border of the U.S. Especially in the Northern part. Something really interesting to see is Chicago. In the rest of Illinois, there aren't very many dots, it's rather empty, but as we move into Chicago, we suddenly see a dense population of people. These types of maps are very helpful with giving a visual representation of something that have very large numbers in the data set, such as a population. It really helps to give a striking representation of how many people are populated on coasts, and more strikingly, how many people aren't in the west. 

Isoline Map

Map Link

This map is a very rough depiction of an Isoline map. This type of map uses lines to connect areas of an equal value. Be it population of people, elevation and so on. It is a way to make a two-dimentional representation of a three-dementional property. These maps are extremely helpful in trying to see how values stay the same over a large area, such as the United States.

Cartograms

Map Link

This map is an example of a cartogram. In a cartogram, the area of the land is dictated by another value than "true area." In this example, this map of the world shows area of a country based on the percentage of threatened and endangered species by country. Therefore, the size of a country on a map is the result of the number of endangered species. Cartograms are a rather clever way of looking at information. It is a lot more efficient, in my opinion, at displaying information than traditional maps. It really helps to make the information pop. We can see that the United States is almost completely indistinguishable, the whole eastern half is gone. Yet, in the western U.S. we see deep reds and a deformation in the area. This is because, according to a cartogram, these places are high in threatened and endangered species, while the eastern half of the country, according to this map, has none.

Unclassed Choropleth Maps

Map Link

This map is an example of an unclassed choropleth map. In these types of maps we get a map that take a more artistic look at the information. The site from which the image came from states that these maps are nice in that they simply just let the "data speak for itself." There generally are no numbers present in the legend as we can see. There is simply a gradient bar moving from "low" to "high." So, when moving to the map itself, we can see that in the real world, for whatever variable this map is looking at, the deeper reds would mean higher numbers. The downfall to this type of map is that when we need hard numbers to back up the information, we can't generally find it here. One of the upsides though, is that we don't have to worry about the tedious work of separating the different data sets into even classes. This map is a good tool to use when needing to make a map that gives us a general overview of a data set without needing all the numbers and classes.

Univariate Choropleth Map

Map Link

This map is an example of a univariate choropleth map. in these types of maps, we have one variable that is being analyzed, in this case, median household income. The map uses the standard classification methods needed for a choropleth map. but uses less detail. As the level of income goes up, the color goes into a deeper red. Like most maps, this feature is present. With univariate maps, we can get an easy way to look at a topic. With bivariate maps, we often times have multiple things to look at and analyze. The reader is left to make correlations based on the information they see on the map. With a univariate, all the information that they need is there for them with a large ease in interpreting the information.

Isotach Map

Map Link

This map is an example of a map that makes use of isotachs. Isotachs are lines that connect lines of equal wind speed. This map here shows the United States and is full of isotachs. We can see for the most part, the lines are relatively straight throughout the country. However, up in the northern part of the U.S. the isotachs seem to wrap around themselves and make a circle like gesture. This is most likely due to the air hitting the mountain ranges in the northwest U.S.  Like isobars, the closer the lines are to each other, the more steep the change. In this map, the lines are very close together. Altogether, these maps work to help us understand the wind patterns that we see in various areas. 

Cadastral Maps

Map Link

This map is an example of a Cadastral Map. These types of maps work to show land ownership in a specified area. This particular map comes from a website where they are talking about various areas of iran. Here we see the area of Namakabrood in Iran. It has a scale of 1:1000. In these types of maps we can see the different land parcels in the area. Cadastral maps are primarily used by the government to get a sense of who owns what. It is a type of land surveying map that helps see how land is divided among the people. 

Wind Rose

Map Link

This cartographic piece is an example of a wind rose. The source tells us that it is for LaGuardia Airport in New York. The way these maps work, is to show patterns of where wind blows from and with what frequency in a specific location. In this example, we can see that the wind blows the hardest from the south, and with a pretty substantial wind speed of around 11 m/s. The legend tells us that the colors on the wind rose show us wind speed. The percentages around the rose show us frequency for which the wind blows. In my research, I learned that airports are some of the most frequent users of wind roses because the airplanes take off best and land best going into the wind. Overall, these types of maps are useful in looking at how wind blows over time. We can then use this information in a variety of applications. 

Stem and Leaf Plot

Map Link

This map, or, better yet, chart type, is known as a stem and leaf plot. With these types of plots, we can map out large amounts of numbers that we have. Say, for example, we are doing a study where we have 50 trials where we are counting the number of  live bugs present in an experiment about the lethality of various bug sprays. In each of these fifty trials, we come out with a number. Now, what to do with all of these numbers? Stem and leaf plots allow us to plot all of these numbers out. In this type of plot, we look at the infant mortality rates in Africa. We have the first two numbers in the set on the "stem" side. And the number in the ones digit place are on the leaf place. For instance, the first number in the set has a 5 in the stem place and a 1 in the leaf place. This number represents 51. and the last number had 15 on the stem and a 1 on the leaf, this is 151. When there are times that we have a number in the stem, but none in the leaf, that means that there are no data for those numbers. For example, we see a 6 in the stem and none in the leaf, this means that there are no data between 60 and 69. Therefore, we are able to convey a vast number of data points together in one cohesive plot. 

Scatter Plots

Map Link

This map is an example of a scatter plot. With this type of map, we get to see a lot of information all presented on one map. It allows us to look at information with very large sample sizes together at once. We get the chance to compare two variables, in this case, the eruptions of Old Faithful, and the duration of eruption compared to time between eruptions. We can clearly see that there are a vast amount of data and this type of map is perfect for presenting it all. There is a line of best fit present here that shows us where the average of the data is. We can see that as the length of time is smaller, around fifty seconds, we get shorter eruptions. However, when the length of time between them is much longer, we see eruptions that have longer durations. This makes sense because as time builds up, so does the water and it is reflected in the eruption duration. These types of visualizations are great for large sample sizes.