TOPIC Choropleth

10.3 maps Sunbury

0 5 10 km
Epping

Broadmeadows
Greensborough
Choropleth maps, such as Figures 10.7 and 10.8, Keilor

show the density of objects or features in a given Heidelberg

Lilydale

area by shading, using colours or patterns. They

are thematic maps, mapping one theme or topic per Footscray
City
Box Hill Ringwood

map, such as the distribution of children aged from

St Kilda
0 to 5 years or the percentage of the population Werribee Altona
Oakleigh
Brighton
with access to doctors.
Choropleth maps are based on statistics obtained Dandenong

from counting objects or features in a given area. Mordialloc

They map this data and compare it with data on the Percentage Beaconsfield
over 11
same topic from other areas. 8–11
Cranbourne
The data is collated and divided into between 6–8
4–6 Frankston
four and six classes or groups, chosen to show the under 4

data in the best way. Each class or group contains a

range of values—for example, from 2000 to 3000,
or from 90 to 100 per cent—rather than an absolute
number. Each area on the map is placed into one
class or group.
Usually, one colour is chosen for the entire map,
and different shades of that colour from light (low
values) to dark (high values) identify the classes of
data. The map key sets out the classes and the shade
used to show each class on the map.
Choropleth maps have many advantages. They:
• are easy to understand
• show a range rather than an absolute number
• show spatial change or variation
• are used in GIS mapping
• can be used at different scales, from local
to global.
There are also some disadvantages of choropleth
maps. They:
• don’t show absolute numbers
• assume data is uniformly spread within
each area
• give a false impression of abrupt change
at boundaries.
10.7 A choropleth map: the percentage of the total
population that was aged under 5 years in Melbourne at
the 2001 Census
Interpreting a choropleth map
Step by step
STEPS IN INTERPRETING A CHOROPLETH MAP
1 What object or feature is being mapped?
2 What is the area being used—for example,
Census collection district or country?
3 What are the classes or groups used in the key
and what is the shade used for each group?
4 Identify areas with high, medium and low
values. Describe your overall impression of
the number and location of areas with high,
medium and low values.
5 Explain and find reasons for the density
patterns across the map. How can this be used
to assist with future planning?

Choropleth maps at
different scales
Local or regional choropleth maps show census
data for an individual collection district. At state
or national level, collection districts are aggregated
into statistical areas to provide a broader view of
the density of the feature being shown.
At continent or world scale, choropleth maps are
the main way of comparing the different densities of
a feature. Data is aggregated into a figure for each
country—for example, the percentage of population
living in urban areas—and mapped to allow
comparison between countries and continents.
1 What are choropleth maps?
2 How do Figures 10.7 and 10.8 show spatial
change or variation? Describe the impression
they give you of change or variation.
3 How are choropleth maps used at local or
global scales?
4 Use Steps 1 to 4 of the Steps in interpreting a
choropleth map to interpret Figure 10.7.
5 Why are urban planners interested in where
children aged under 5 live? What implications
does this have for future planning?

126 KEY SKILLS IN GEOGRAPHY

 Percentage urban, 2007
90–100
75–89
60–74
45–59
30–44
0–29
no data

10.8 Proportion of world population living in urban areas in 2007

6 Use the steps in interpreting a choropleth map

1 Map of children aged 2 Number of children aged
to interpret Figure 10.8. Suggest reasons why 0 to 5 in each area 0 to 5 years in each area
national and global planners are interested
2 3 5 4
in the proportion of the population living in
urban areas. 6 8 8 9

6 9 12 10
Drawing a choropleth map
7 9 8 7

Step by step 3 Collate the data and 4 Develop a map key and colour
divide into groups each area on the map
STEPS IN DRAWING A CHOROPLETH MAP
Number of Areas with 1–4 1–4 5–7 1–4
1 Decide on the feature or object to be children 1 to 12
mapped—the map theme. 0 to 5 years children 5–7 8–9 8–9 8–9
2 Obtain a map showing areas to be studied and 1 0
their boundaries 2 1 5–7 8–9 10–12 10–12
3 1
3 Count the numbers of the feature in each area. 4 1 5–7 8–9 8–9 5–7
Collate the data. Divide the data into between four 5 1
and six groups according to simple patterns. 6 2
7 2 Number of children
4 Develop a map key. Decide on the map colour 8 3 1–4 8–9
and the shade to be used for each group, from 9 3 5–7 10–12
light (for low) to dark (for high values). 10 1
11 0
5 Shade the map. 12 1
6 Review the map and map key. Determine if the
groups and shades used are appropriate. If 10.9 Drawing a choropleth map showing the number of
not, decide on changes to be made. children aged 0 to 5 years
7 Complete the map key, title and other details.
3 Why are Steps 3 and 4 of the Steps in drawing
a choropleth map important?
4 Refer to Figure 10.9 and complete Steps 6 and
1 Read the Steps in drawing a choropleth map. 7 of the Steps in drawing
ension
a choropleth map. Ext
2 Using Figure 10.9 and the Steps in drawing a
choropleth map, describe each of the stages in
drawing Figure 10.7. Material

Chapter 10 MORE MAP SKILLS 127