Introduction to Thematic Mapping SP 240 Cartography Alex Chaucer

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 Spatial Information Technology Center

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 Spatial Information Technology Center

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 Spatial Information Technology Center

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 Spatial Information Technology Center

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 Spatial Information Technology Center

Electronic Map Production Printing Fundamentals and Prepress Operations for the Cartographer Digital Map Compilation and Desktop Mapping Spatial Information Technology Center

Effective Graphing for Cartographers Spatial Information Technology Center

Chapter 1: Introduction to Thematic Mapping

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 Spatial Information Technology Center

The Realm of Maps Maps…communication devices. “vehicles for the transmission of knowledge” and for analysis Spatial Information Technology Center

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 Spatial Information Technology Center

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.” Spatial Information Technology Center From http://www.martian.fm/psychogeography.htm

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. Spatial Information Technology Center

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 Spatial Information Technology Center

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 Spatial Information Technology Center

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 (1896-1975) Spatial Information Technology Center http://www.amergeog.org/gr/abstract/Jan96-Parsons.html

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 (1918-2001) Spatial Information Technology Center http://www.geog.umn.edu/Faculty/Borchert.html

http://www.rootsweb.com/~nycayuga/maps/1882/thumbs/cover.jpg 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. http://media.maps.com/magellan/Images/vd_nyc_atlas_c.jpg Spatial Information Technology Center http://www.prj.com/pictures/Ny.jpg

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 Spatial Information Technology Center

Kinds of Maps General-Purpose Maps Thematic Maps Mental Maps Qualitative Quantative Mental Maps Spatial Information Technology Center

General-Purpose Maps Reference Maps Examples; Topo Maps and Atlas Maps http://newyorksearchandrescue.org/maps/Sands%20Point%20topo%20map%202.gif Spatial Information Technology Center

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 Spatial Information Technology Center

Mental Map Spatial Information Technology Center 1. mental maps of how we interpret what's around us often don't match reality http://www.trainer.org.uk/members/theory/process/mental_maps.htm http://www.hydro.com.au/education/discovery/images/concept1.gif "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. http://www.subk.net/maps/belvideremap.jpg http://users.edte.utwente.nl/lanzing/cm_home.htm http://blog.livedoor.jp/gallery163/1f601d25.jpg Spatial Information Technology Center

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

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

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 http://www.rcss.org.uk/How%20to%20find%20us/how%20to%20find%20us.htm#Small%20scale%20street%20map Spatial Information Technology Center

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 Spatial Information Technology Center

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. Spatial Information Technology Center

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. Spatial Information Technology Center

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 Spatial Information Technology Center

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. Spatial Information Technology Center

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. Spatial Information Technology Center

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