GISC9118 FOUNDATIONS OF MAPPING REPORT

MapInfo
Assignment #1

Author: Margarita Isaza

Date: October 13, 2014

Table of Contents
Purpose:...........................................................................................................................................................................3
Preparing the Information:..............................................................................................................................................3
Mapping method:............................................................................................................................................................3
Ranges, Symbols and Colors:.........................................................................................................................................3
Population Density:.....................................................................................................................................................3
Population Change:.....................................................................................................................................................4
Map Design.....................................................................................................................................................................5

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Purpose:
To create a multivariate map using skills learned in MapInfo. Specifically, demonstrate
map design skills as well as deciding how to best display information.

Preparing the Information:

First I analyze the data provided with the US States file and used MapInfo to create two
columns with calculated fields of the Population Change (1990-19980) and Population Density. I
used the following formulas:
Population Change (1990-19980) = Population 1990 Population 1980
Population Density = Population 1990/Area.
After I analyzed the data in population change I realized that it would be better to convert this
data in terms of population percentage change therefore I changed the formula to:
Population change (1980-1990) = ((Population 1990Population 1980)/Population 1980) *100

Mapping method:
I decided to use the Choropleth method to represent population density because it provides an
easy way to visualize how a population density varies across the USA states and I decided to
use the Proportional Symbol method to represent Population change because it provides
symbols of different sizes to represent this changes and also it provides an easy way to
associate it with the Population density on the US states.

Ranges, Symbols and Colors:

Population Density:
To select the ranges for population density I used the browser and analyzed the data ordered by
population density and used different methods provided on the Choropleth method on MapInfo
to compare if the range distributions provided on this method make sense with the population
density distribution of the data.
The distribution methods provided by the Choropleth method I evaluated were Quantile, Natural
breaks, Equal count, Custom and Standard deviation. These methods provide also information
such as the count of states and percentages by range. I found that Equal Count was an
appropriated method to represent the data:
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Equal Count:
Range
0 - 40
40 -60
60 - 90
90 - 160
160 - 8600

Percentage
29
12
14
16
29

Count
15
6
7
8
15

I found that in the higher range of population density from 160 8600 there is only one state,
DC, with population density that overpasses 991and there are 15 states in this range that are
between 160 and 991 representing 29% of the states all together. In the range of 90 160 there
are 8 states which represent 16% of the states, in the range 60 90 there are 7 states which
represent 14% of the states, in the range 40 60 there are 6 states which represent 12% of the
states and lastly in the range 0 40 there are 15 states which represent 29% of the states.
The visualization of the map also helped me to decide the Equal count range selected since the
higher and lower ranges with population density over 160 and population density under 40
respectably were easy to visualize by having stronger color and smooth color respectably for
both extremes as well as subtle colors for the population density in the middle. I selected
different tone of blues in accordance with the data.
Some of the other ranges I compared provided the following distributions:
Quantile:
Range Percentage
0 - 60
41%
60 120
24
120 190
12
190 260
4
260 8600
20
Natural breaks:
Range Percentage
0 70
43
70 200
33
200 650
14
650 8590
8
8590 8600
2

Count
21
12
6
2
10
Count
22
17
7
4
1

Population Change:
For population change as I mentioned above I chose the proportional symbol method to
represent it because it provides symbols of different sizes to represent this changes and it also
provides an easy way to associate it with the population density.

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I used the browser on Map Info and ordered the population change column and found that there
were not only changes but also negative values (see the browser for Population change
attached) therefore I decide to have 2 different colors to represent both changes in the positive
and in the negative scales. I wanted to have the population change represented by sizes and in
two different colors that represent if the population changes positively or negatively. I found that
the Symbol Default Graduated gave me these two options, I chose tree different sizes of round
circles in purple to represent population change on the ranges from 26 - 50, 6 - 25 and 0 - 5 and
I chose two different size of round circle in yellow to represent population change ranges from -1
- -5 and -6 - -25 which properly shows the differences visually.

Map Design
I decided to create a layout of the Thematic map showing in the middle all the mainland states
representing the population density and population change with the ranges, colors and symbols
explained above. Since Alaska and Hawaii location are separated from the rest of the US states
I decided to include them in small frames at the bottom of the layout to be able to keep the
mainland bigger and centered in the layout. I also decided to include a portion of DC and NY
areas in an additional frame to highlight this portion of the map which has most of both density
and population changes together.
I chose a symbol to show north and made it bigger to have an appropriated size of it. I changed
default titles to have better comprehension on legends and I included a map title to describe
what the map is conveying. I also included map titles on the frames and scales for each map
view. I included author, date and data source and I modify frame sizes and move frames
appropriated looking for balance and clarity to complete the map design.

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