LECTURE 2

CATEGORIES OF MAPS

1. Classed by map scale

Scale = the ratio between the dimension of the map and those of reality
a. Large scale = smaller in areal coverage but more detailed (1:1000)
b. Small scale = larger in areal coverage but less detail (1:20000)

Example
WORLD MAP (Small scale) COUNTRY MAPS (Large scale)
Maps continents, oceans, countries Maps every country’s state and city

2. Classed by function
a. General reference = to show a variety of feature, WITHOUT a theme
Shows coastlines, city locations and political boundaries usually used as a base map
eg. Topographic map, country map

b. Thematic = to show the distribution of a single attribute or the relationship among several, to show a
particular theme or special topic
Usually layered onto a based map, it is a statistical map that uses quantitative symbols to depict
magnitude or quantity information.

Examples of statistical/thematic mapping techniques

1. Choropleth Line thickness indicates the amount of flow
2. Dot - Distribution of dots tell us how dense
something is

5. Isarithmic
3. Proportional symbol map Line shoes division between classes
Symbol size are reflective of magnitudes

6. Cartograms

4. Flow line
c. Navigation = generally have one specific function, to be worked on rather than just looked at
Examples
Nautical and aeronautical charts Road Maps

3. Classed by subject matter

Enormous varieties
Example: Cadastral maps, SARS in Hong Kong infected areas to illustrate infected
buildings
MAPPING CONSTRAINTS
Map design – One map con only serve one purpose
Mappability – Some places are easier to map than others (eg. An island is easier than
ocean topography)
Data availability – can vary among places due to wealth, privacy and political
situations
Scale – Large or small scales, tradeoffs between having a larger coverage or more
details
Policy – Some data are not shown in great detail in recognition of public policy on
data privacy
Technical limitations – Map’s appearance is dependent upon instruments used so
this can be affected by the cartographer’s skill, time, budget imposed on the map
making process
Audience – Designed for a specific group of audience differentiated by age, physical
condition, educational levels and map-reading abilities
Folding map problems