1. Introduction to Thematic Mapping
SP 240 Cartography
Alex Chaucer

2. Dent’s Cartography Updates from fourth edition Chapter on GIS
Current literature used
Focuses on:
Philosophy/theory
Technology
This text maintains a focus on cartographic design
WWW sites for cartographers in appendix
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3. Cartography Organization
Thematic Mapping Essentials
Chapters 1-6
Techniques of Quantitative Thematic Mapping
Chapters 7-12
Designing Thematic Maps
Chapters 13-15
Electronic Map Production
Chapters 16-17
Effective Graphing for Cartographers
Chapter 18
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4. Thematic Mapping Essentials
Introduction to Thematic Mapping
The Round Earth to Flat Map: Map Projections for Designers
Employment of Projections and Thematic Base-Map Compilation
The Nature of Geographic Phenomena and the Selection of Thematic Map Symbols
Processing Geographic Data: Common Measures Useful in Thematic Mapping
Geographic Information Systems
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5. Techniques of Quantitative Thematic Mapping
7. Mapping Enumeration and Other Areally Aggregated Data: The Choropleth Map
Mapping Point Phenomena: The Common Dot Map
From Point to Point: The Proportional Symbol Map
Mapping Geographical Volumes: The Isarithmic Map
The Cartogram: Value-by-Area Mapping
Dynamic Representation: The Design of Flow Maps
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6. Designing Thematic Maps
The Map Design Process and the Elements of Map Composition
Making the Map Readable: The Intelligent Use of Typographic (skipped)
Principles for Color Thematic Maps
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7. Electronic Map Production
Printing Fundamentals and Prepress Operations for the Cartographer
Digital Map Compilation and Desktop Mapping
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8. Effective Graphing for Cartographers
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9. Chapter 1: Introduction to Thematic Mapping

10. Some Trends
It is easy to make a map today, but it is difficult to make a good map
Many people make maps of dubious quality
Less people are trained in cartography and map design
Maps are everywhere
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11. The Realm of Maps Maps…communication devices.
“vehicles for the transmission of knowledge”
and for analysis
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12. The Map Defined Map – a graphic representation of the milieu
milieu – all aspects of cultural and physical environment
+ this also includes mental abstractions
ie. People’s attitudes
- does not include mental maps
for our purposes maps are physical objects that
can be touched
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13. Attitude Map It IS a “Map.” Wigan, UK
On the right, the same information presented in psychogeographical terms. Here, a non-scientific researcher - "Dr" Annie Filme, author of several seminal works on psychogeography, including this caption - has encountered the urban landscape through aimless drifting and then recorded it as a series of impacts on her mood.
Attitude Map
On the left, a map of Wigan. Though technically correct, this image ignores the effects of geographical settings on the mood and behaviour of the individual. 
On the right, the same information presented in psychogeographical terms. Here, a non-scientific researcher - "Dr" Annie Filme, author of several seminal works on psychogeography, including this caption - has encountered the urban landscape through aimless drifting and then recorded it as a series of impacts on her mood.
Wigan, UK
It IS a “Map.”
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From

14. What is Cartography?
Mapmaking – the processes associated with the actual production of maps.
Cartography – broader than mapmaking, including the study of the philosophical and theoretical rules for mapmaking, including the study of map communication.
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15. What is Cartography?
“The art, science, and technology of making maps, together with their study as scientific documents and works of art. In this context may be regarded as including all types of maps, plans, charts, and sections, three-dimensional models and globes representing the Earth and any celestial bodies at any scale.”
International Cartographic Association
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16. Geographic Cartography
Distinct from other branches of cartography
Is the tool and product of the geographer
The geographic cartographer understands the spatial perspective of the physical environment and has the skills to abstract and symbolize this environment
Geographic cartography is a branch of broader science, and geographic cartographers understand spatial methodology
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17. Geographic Cartography
                                     
“Show me a geographer who does not need them [maps] constantly and want them about him, and I shall have my doubts as to whether he has made the right choice in life. The map speaks across the barriers of language.”
Carl O. Sauer
( )
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18. Geographic Cartography
“In short, maps and other graphics comprise one of three major modes of communication, together with words and numbers. Because of the distinctive subject matter of geography, language of maps is the distinctive language of geography. Hence, sophistication in map reading and composition, and ability to translate between the languages of maps, words, and numbers are fundamental to the study and practice of geography.”
John Borchert
( )
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19.
Atlas Mapping
Many cartographers believe that atlas production provides some of the greatest opportunities for thematic mapping
Could there be a published, digital atlas in the future?
Regardless, sound design principles will always be needed.
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20. Cartography and GIS A “blurred” boundary
There is great ease in the thematic display of socioeconomic data in a GIS
GIS “assumes no knowledge of cartographic methods nor any fundamental ideas about good design principles”
Basic “wizard” created maps in GIS often don’t offer the best thematic cartography
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21. Kinds of Maps General-Purpose Maps Thematic Maps Mental Maps
Qualitative
Quantative
Mental Maps
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22. General-Purpose Maps Reference Maps Examples; Topo Maps and Atlas Maps
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23. Thematic Maps Allow you to view the spatial distribution of phenomena
A “map designed to show particulars features or concepts”
Qualitative
To show the spatial distribution or location of kind
Quantitative
To display spatial aspects of numerical data
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24. Mental Map Spatial Information Technology Center
1. mental maps of how we interpret what's around us often don't match reality
"a mind map consists of a central word or concept, around the central word you draw the 5 to 10 main ideas that relate to that word. You then take each of those child words and again draw the 5 to 10 main ideas that relate to each of those words."
On the left, a map of Wigan. Though technically correct, this image ignores the effects of geographical settings on the mood and behaviour of the individual. 
On the right, the same information presented in psychogeographical terms. Here, a non-scientific researcher - "Dr" Annie Filme, author of several seminal works on psychogeography, including this caption - has encountered the urban landscape through aimless drifting and then recorded it as a series of impacts on her mood.
Spatial Information Technology Center

25. Thematic Map Components
Must have two important elements
Base Map
To provide locational information to which the thematic overlay can be related
Thematic Overlay
Should include only enough information to communicate the maps message
Design Strategies: Simple and Clear
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26. Thematic Map Components
Must have two important elements
Base Map
To provide locational information to which the thematic overlay can be related
Thematic Overlay
Should include only enough information to communicate the maps message
Design Strategies: Simple and Clear
Spatial Information Technology Center

27. Map Scale Large Scale vs. Small Scale
The amount of reduction that takes place when going from real world dimensions to the new mapped area on the map plane
The ratio of map distance to earth distance, 1:25,000
Large Scale vs. Small Scale
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28. Cartographic Abstraction and Generalization
Choosing the right abstractions for the map’s purpose
Involve
Selection - choosing early in the design
Classification - which objects go into groups
Simplification - smoothing lines, etc.
Symbolization - symbols to represent real items
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29. Cartography: Art or Science??
The art in cartography is the cartographer’s ability to synthesize the various ingredients involved in the abstraction process into an organized whole that facilitates the communication of ideas.
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30. Thematic Map Design Map Design
The aggregate of all the thought processes that cartographers go through during the abstraction phase of the cartographic process. It involves all the decision-making.
Involves intellectual and visual processes.
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31. Ethics in Cartography How to Lie with Maps
“The purpose of this book is to promote a healthy skepticism about maps, not to foster either cynicism or deliberate dishonesty. In showing how to lie with maps, I want to make readers aware that maps, like speeches and paintings, are authored collections of information and are also subject to distortions arising from ignorance, greed, ideological blindness, or malice.”
M. Monmonier
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32. Codes of Ethics
Always have a straight forward agenda, and have a defining purpose or goal for each map.
Always strive to know your audience (the map reader.)
Do not intentionally lie with data.
Always show all relevant data whenever possible.
Data should not be discarded simply because they are contrary to the position held by the cartographer.
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33. Codes of Ethics
At a given scale, strive for an accurate portrayal of the data.
The cartographer should avoid plagiarizing; report all data sources.
Symbolization should not be selected to bias the interpretation of the map.
The mapped result should be able to be repeated by other cartographers.
Attention should be given to differing cultural values and principles.
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34. Spatial Information Technology Center