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maps

visual statistics

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Fun Designer Stuff

 

Subway maps
Berlin
London
New York City
other cities

cartograms

world maps

webcams

 

See Worldmapper for more on cartograms

 

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Cartogram maps



A cartogram is a map in which some thematic mapping variable – such as population – is substituted for land area. The geometry or space of the map is distorted in order to convey the information of this alternate variable. An area cartogram is sometimes referred to as a value-by-area map or an isodemographic map, the latter particularly for a population cartogram, which illustrates the relative sizes of the populations by scaling the each area in proportion to its population. The shape and relative location of each country is retained to as large an extent as possible, but inevitably a large amount of distortion results. (edited from Wikipedia)

November 4, 2008 election day cartogram shows the relative sizes of states based on electoral votes, which is based on population.

Even more striking is the cartogram based on results by county:cartograpm 2012 election

cartogram by county

One way to include more nuance in the map is to add shades of purple to indicate the percentage of votes, with solid red or blue to show counties with 70% or more partisan votes.

cartogram county 2012 partisan

For more cartograms, see 2012 election results cartograms

Cartograms can be used to describe social and economic realities.

World Population and World Energy Consumption

 

Double-page spread from Mark McCormick’s December 15, 2007 graphic in The Guardian (Britain) titled “Carbon Atlas” showing off a style of cartogram named Doring.