Population Profile

http://www.ifad.org/operations/regional/pf/aids_1.htm

 A population profile, also known as a population pyramid, displays age and sex distributions in a specified region. The population profile above represents the age and sex of the population in Botswana, Africa. Additional information is provided in this graph as it also depicts how much of the populace has AIDS. This type of graph makes an amazing geovisualization tool as you can visually see the impact of AIDS in this area.  

Scatterplot

http://www.mathworksheetscenter.com/mathtips/datagraphs.html

A scatterplot is a graph that plots two different variables and is used to show relationship between the two variables. The scatterplot above depicts shoppers per 15 minute intervals from a store opening. This specific graph can be used to predict when the highest volume of shoppers will utilize the store to ensure maximum employee coverage.

Index Value Plot

http://www.skepticalscience.com/What-causes-short-term-changes-in-ocean-heat.html

An index value plot uses index value instead of absolute numbers. In the index value plot above, the index is a zero value and the departures in the index are plotted relative to it. Positive increases (blue) indicate La Nina conditions and Negative decreases (red) indicate El Nino conditions. The line going through the graph represents the 12 month average southern oscillation index.

Climograph

http://www.colorado.edu/geography/extra/geogweb/bouldercreek-2/preview/page2.html

A climograph is a combination of a bar graph and a line graph that show temperature and precipitation for a given location over the course of a year broken down by complete months. The climograph above depicts average annual temperature and precipitation for Boulder, Colorado with the bars representing precipitation and the line representing temperature. You can clearly see that the hottest average month is May and the month with the highest precipitation is July.

Triangular Plot

http://www.dplot.com/triangle-plot.htm

A triangular plot is a graph that measure three variables (one for each side of the triangle). This type of plot is commonly seen in geological studies to depict the relative compositions of soils and rocks. The triangular plot above uses different compositions as the variables for sand analysis. The numbers on the sides are scaled as percentages of the given composition and the inside is divided into 12 regions of USDA-specified soil textures.

Wind Rose

http://www.erh.noaa.gov/bgm/aviation/windroses/windrose.shtml

A wind rose is a circular plot that shows the strength and frequency of wind from various directions in a given location or region. The wind rose above depicts wind frequency and strength from different directions within the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport, PA area.

Stem and Leaf Plot

http://mdk12.org/instruction/clg/public_release/algebra_data_analysis/G3_E2_I1.html

A stem and leaf plot is one famous method for organizing data that encompasses sorting the data and graphing it at the same time. As the above stem and leaf plot shows, the leading number, which in this case is the tenths portion of the number, falls under the stem portion of the graph (left side). The remaining portion of the number, which in this graph is the ones place, falls under the leaf portion of the graph (right side). The graph above conveniently placed a key to show how the read the graph presented.

Histogram

www.chlt.org/StatisticalMethods/histograms.html

Histograms display tabulated frequency to to depict a measured data set and frequency distribution of values within a data set. The histogram above represents the length of Greek tragedies in words. This histogram divides the tragedy data into 1,000 word bins and allows the viewer to see the most tragedies between 7,000 and 8,000.

Parallel Coordinate Plot

http://www.whopaidthem.com/

A parallel coordinate plot is a geovisualization tool where each variable measured is graphed on a vertical axis. A data element is then plotted as a connected set of points, one on each axis. The parallel coordinate plot above depicts total player scores for three different types of questions asked. The red lines represent the top 10 percent of the scores acquired.

Star Plot

http://www.itl.nist.gov/div898/handbook/eda/section3/starplot.htm

Star plots are maps that allow you compare multiple variables for each observation. The star plot above represents a 1979 automobile analysis. For each automobile, ten different variables are plotted on the radii, or lines coming out of the center. Some of the variables plotted on the radii include price, mileage (MPG), repair records, headroom, rear seat room, trunk space, and weight.

Bilateral Graph

http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2010/10/china-and-international-rules-self-interested-or-malign/64747/

A bilateral graph presents two or more sets of data in one graph to utilize for comparison and contrast. The bilateral graph above depicts imports, exports, and trade balances with China in clean energy products (2006-2010). This graph presents three sets of data: exports (blue), imports (green), and trade balance (red), in which you can clearly notice the soaring import increase from 2006-2010.

Nominal Area Choropleth Map

http://www.payvand.com/news/08/mar/1294.html

A nominal area choropleth map is a choropleth map that utilizes nominal data to depict information and usually shows quantitative differences. Quantitative differences are usually represented in a nominal area choropleth through different colors. The map above depicts the different ethnic groups throughout Iran. Each ethnic group is assigned a different color to allow an easy visual distinction.

Unstandardized Choropleth Map

http://www.componentone.com/SuperProducts/MapsSilverlight/ 

As opposed to standardized choropleth maps, unstandardized choropleth maps do not consist of areally averaged data. Rather than using density or percentages, the classes are divided from raw data. The unstandardized map above depicts GDP throughout the entire world.

Standardized Choropleth Map

http://www.infovis-wiki.net/index.php?title=Teaching:TUW_-_UE_InfoVis_WS_2007/08_-_Gruppe_06_-_Aufgabe_1_-_Thematic_Map

Standardized choropleth maps are choropleths that are areally averaged, usually into percentages. The data in a standardized choropleth is also areally averaged to span over an area such as "per square mile" or "per square kilometer". The standarized choropleth above depicts inhabitants per square kilometer density throughout the world.

Classed Choropleth Map

http://my.ilstu.edu/~jrcarter/Geo204/Choro/

A classed choropleth map is a choropleth map that break down the variables represented into classes. Such classes include quantiles, equal steps, and natural breaks as well as the number of intervals can vary. The choropleth map above represents the number males per 100 females throughout the United States and the data is broken into four classes (shown in the legend). 

Univariate Choropleth Map

http://www.colocarto.com/custom-thematic-maps.html

A univariate choropleth map is almost identical to a common choropleth map. However, a univariate is much more simple in the data that is presented as it only represents one single variable of data. In the map above, estimated median household income is the single variable that is depicted in this choropleth map.

Bivariate Choropleth Map

http://www.geog.ucsb.edu/~jeff/gis/choropleth_maps.html

Bivariate choropleth maps are choropleth maps that utilize two or more different sets of data on separate maps. This is done to compare and differentiate information in the same region side by side. The bivariate choropleth map above depicts crime rates in the United States in 2003. It is broken into four acts of crime to help categorize and analyze which parts of the U.S. not only have high crime, but the type of crime as well.

Unclassed Choropleth Map

http://candacesmaps.blogspot.com/2010/12/unclassed-choropleth-maps.html

Unlike classed choropleth maps, unclassed choropleth maps do not have an averaged statistic value assigned to each particular used. In unclassed choropleth maps, the numeric attribute values are converted into proportional degrees of darkness. The higher the data value is, the darker the color shade assigned to it will be. The unclassed choropleth map above represents democratic and republic votes in the 2004 election. You can clearly see the density of republic (red) and democrat (blue) represented throughout the United States.

Continuously Variable Proportional Circle Map

http://lsecities.net/media/objects/articles/measuring-the-human-urban-footprint/en-gb/

For basics, proportional circle maps use circles instead of dots or symbols to represent sets of data. Depending on the data in which is presented, this determines the size of the continuously variable proportional circles. The map above depicts the density levels and population sizes for well over a hundred different metropolitan areas throughout the world.

Cartographic Animation

http://skagit.meas.ncsu.edu/~helena/gmslab/lcgfin/cg-mitas.html

A cartographic animation basically shows change in data overtime or variable change through animation. This is especially useful to visually see the change in one motion than to compare different maps or forms of cartographic data. The cartographic animation above speaks for itself as it shows landscape and elevation change through an innovative animation.

Isopleths

http://geographyfieldwork.com/DataPresentationMappingTechniques.htm

Isopleth maps are much like choropleth map, however, the data is not grouped in a predefined unit. When comparing data change over time, boundary line found in choropleth maps produce abrupt changes. Isopleth maps synchronize the data presented at all points to show a uniform change such as the map above that depicts precipitation.  

Range Graded Proportional Circle Map

http://personal.frostburg.edu/mtmaier0/maps.htm

Range graded proportional circle maps use circles instead of dots to proportionally show increases in data. Unlike continuously variable symbols, there are a set number of range graded symbols and each symbol is assigned a specific range of values. The above map represents traffic fatalities in the United States (by State) in 2009 using proportional circles for the given data values. 

Box Plot

http://support.sas.com/documentation/cdl/en/statug/63347/HTML/default/viewer.htm#statug_boxplot_sect026.htm

A box plot, also known as a box and whisker plot, provides a simple graphical summary of a set of data. It shows a measure of central location (median), the average, and measures of dispersion. As seen in the box plot above, box plots are especially useful when comparing two or more sets of data.

DOQQ

http://www.geomart.com/products/geodata/doqq/index.htm

Digital orthphoto quarter quadrangles (DOQQ) are aerial images of the Earth's surface. DOQQs fuse the geometric qualities of a map with the image characteristics of a photograph. Just like the DOQQ map above, identifying roads, hydrology, and relief can be done as in a normal map, but with a photographic resolution.

DEM

http://tahoe.usgs.gov/DEM.html

A digital elevation model (DEM) is used to represent elevation in XYZ datasets. These models are very useful in studying elevation of mountains and volcanoes. The model above shows the elevation of mountains surrounding the Lake Tahoe River Basin. 

DLG

http://tahoe.usgs.gov/DLG.html

Digital line graphs (DLG) are cartographic information represented through digital vector data. DLGs are derived from contour lines, also known as hypsographic data, and may contain a large variety of information representing geographic features. The map above is a DLG map that depict roads, rivers, lakes, and vegetation.

DRG

http://tahoe.usgs.gov/DRG.html

A digital raster graphic (DRG) is a scanned and georectified United States Geological Survey (USGS) topoquad. This type of map is a digital image, or scanned version, of a USGS topographic map. Just as the map seen above, DRG maps are in UTM NAD 27 zone 10 projections.  

Isopach

http://www.searchanddiscovery.com/documents/2007/07022lash/images/2_18.htm

Isopach maps depict rock and sediment thickness in a given area. The map above represents thickness of Tully Limestone and Moscow Shale throughout Pennsylvania and parts of New York. 

Isohyets

https://suite.io/harry-p-schlanger/qgp21w

Isohyetal maps show areas of equal rainfall in a given area. The map above shows areas of equal rainfall from January to March in Australia, which qualifies it as a isohyetal map. It helps the observer to see that there is much less rainfall in the south than in the northern area of Australia. 

Isotachs

http://www.erh.noaa.gov/btv/events/28Oct2008/ua2.php

Isotachs are lines, usually depicted in colored areas, that encompass areas of equal wind speed. In the map above, the isotach represents wind speed patterns through colors with darker blue being lighter wind speed and darker magenta being higher wind speed.  

Isobars

http://www.weatheronline.co.uk/reports/wxfacts/Isobars-on-surface-maps.htm

Isobars are lines that represent joint equal mean sea-level or air pressure. On a map such as the map above, the isobars depict station pressure readings brought down to sea level to eliminate the effects of the different heights of the reporting stations.

LIDAR

http://www.neonnotes.org/tag/lidar/

Laser based imaging is not only used by law enforcement to see if you are speeding, but when enlarged and mounted to a sensor, can also be used to extract very detailed images of the surface. Light detection and ranging (LIDAR) directs laser light onto the Earth's surface and its returns can be measured down to the centimeter to tell us more about objects on the surface. The LIDAR image above is of downtown Manhattan as you can observe the three-dimensional representation showing height of all objects on the surface.

Doppler Radar

http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2004/s2311.htm

Doppler is commonly used to make atmosphere profiles of clouds. This includes their motion and the composition of the particles in air such as precipitation. Doppler radar is mostly used by meteorologists to track storms and inclement weather as we see on our local news stations and weather channels. The photo above is a Doppler radar image of Hurricane Francis approaching Florida in 2004. We can quickly identify the hurricane in the image as the Doppler radar picks it up.

Black and White Aerial Photo

http://www.math.toronto.edu/drorbn/Gallery/KnottedObjects/Interchange/index.html

Photographic film can be coated with different light-sensitive emulsions with each sensitive to specific wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation. Black and white emulsion is sensitive to approximately the same wavelengths as the human eye. The photo above represents a black and white aerial photo that is easy to observe much of the detail based on its collected wavelength being within the visible portion and the same as the human eye.

Infrared Aerial Photo

http://aerometrex.com.au/blog/?p=369

Infrared film can pick up data from the invisible section of the electromagnetic spectrum known as the near infrared (NIR) wavelength. Light reflected from vegetation possesses a very unique response in the NIR wavelength as infrared imagery is integral in analyzing anything that has to do with vegetation. The map above depicts water contamination in Australia, but aside of the use for this map, you  can clearly see how the trees "jump out" with the response that vegetation has in infrared.  

Flow Map

http://www.personal.psu.edu/jnm5195/Flow%20map.jpg

Main page: http://www.personal.psu.edu/jnm5195/

A flow map is used to annotate movement in or out of an area, especially dealing with goods and immigration. The thickness of the arrows of travel represent value, usually the thicker the arrow, the higher the value. The map above depicts immigration to the United States with the legend giving the value of immigrants for each continent. This map can be very useful in providing information on which continents had more immigrants come to the U.S. than others.

Isoline Map

http://mavdisk.mnsu.edu/larsop2/geog101/Tools/Tools.html

Isoline maps are very useful to show like values over a widespread area. As seen in the isoline map above, the swivel lines throughout the map represent like value of surface temperature. As the entire U.S. is depicted in this make, the lines make it easier to see the pattern of like temperature that spans through a large area.

Proportional Circle Map

http://totalpict.com/example%20of%20proportional%20symbol%20map

A proportional circle map is a map that is point data mapped with different sized circles opposed to any other symbol. The size of the circles relate to the measured variable and not necessarily the area over which it is measured. The proportional circle map above represents U.S. population as the size of the different circles depict the given number ranges shown in the legend.

Dot Distribution Map

http://flatrock.org.nz/topics/new_jersey/where_do_they_live_and_what_do_they_do.htm

A dot distribution map, hence its title, uses dots to to show value of a given data set on a map. The dot distribution map above uses these dots to represent the geographic location pattern of people living in New Jersey. The distribution of dots given by the data set makes clear to the observer of where the population is more dense throughout the state and where population is more isolated.

Hypsometric Map

http://www.earthexplorer.com/2009-03/subsurface_geology_challenges_goiania_metro.asp

A hypsometric map depicts visible relief through different colors of shading. With this type of map, the observer can clearly visualize how the terrain appears and an accurate idea of height differences if they were on the ground. The map above is a hypsometric map of the Goiania Metropolitan Region in central Brazil. The blue regions represent the lowest elevation while height increases as the colors transition from green to brown to lighter brown/tan.

Planimetric Map

http://www.nps.gov/history/history/online_books/fova/clr/clr2-5c.htm

A planimetric map is a map that is used mainly to depict roadways and line features. This type of map does not show any form of relief or elevation features. The map above is a planimetric map of Vancouver, Washington that depicts only line features, mainly showing roadways.

Cartogram

http://geo-mexico.com/?p=1260

A cartogram is a map where the geographic unit being observed has its size and shape altered to reflect the magnitude of the variable being looked at. Algorithms which create cartograms are designed to maintain the approximate scale and positions of the original geographic units as best as possible, given necessary distortions. The cartogram above represents population distribution in Mexico as its three main cities- Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey are dominant in population density.

Statistical Map

http://www.icem.com.au/maps/high_res/3d_solid-waste.jpg

Main page: http://www.icem.com.au/02_contents/06_materials/06-maps.htm

Statistical maps can represent distances that are relative to properties other than physical distance. These maps can be used to convey statistical information to the observer other than basic map information. The statistical map above depicts the amount of solid waste in generated municipal areas of Vietnam in 2004. The block height is used to represent the annual increase in generated solid waste from 2002 to 2004.

Cadastral Map

http://mapsof.net/map/new-south-wales-cadastral-divisions#.U7oqrZwrCa0

A cadastral map is a map that shows land ownership. The map above is a cadastral map that shows land ownership in New South Wales represented by the owner's last name.

PLSS Map

http://www.nationalatlas.gov/articles/boundaries/a_plss.html

Public Land Survey System (PLSS) maps are used as a way to describe and subdivide land. PLSS basically divides the land into townships, which is the level of information included in the National Atlas. The map above represents states included in the PLSS, which is used to divide public domain lands that are owned by the Federal government for the benefit of the citizens of the U.S.

Topographic Map

http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/PA_WIDConsumption/wid/EnlargeImage.jsp?param5=null&param1=PA_WIDConsumption&param2=STELPRDB5120199&param3=Topographic%20map%20for%20Ben%20Tyler%20trail&param4=/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/stelprdb5120199.jpg&pname=Forest%20Service-

A topographic map gives the map reader large amounts of information about the space and place represented. Topographic maps show three dimensional surfaces on Earth and use contour lines to represent elevation changes throughout the landscape. The topographic map above is a map for the Ben Tyler Trail and is used to depict the terrain surrounding the trail.

Propaganda Map

http://historum.com/general-history/9905-propaganda-maps-2.html

A propaganda map is a map that is manipulated by the map maker to in order to shape how others interact and conceptualize the world. This form of map making can be done in many different ways and the map above represents the map maker's love for the state of Texas. This map depicts Texas as the greatest and largest state in the United States. Although Texas is a large state, it is no where near the size represented in this propaganda map. One who has never seen a map of the United States may see this map and view Texas as the ideal location to live or visit.

Thematic Map

http://www.mapsofworld.com/africa/thematic/countries-by-forest-area.html

A thematic map is a type of map which is designed to show a particular theme connected with a specific geographic area. These maps can portray physical, social, political, cultural, economic, sociological, agricultural, or any other aspects of a given city, state, region, or continent. The map above is a thematic map of Africa that depicts forest area throughout the entire continent. The theme for this map is to represent the agricultural value in given regions of Africa.

Mental Map

http://www.geography.hunter.cuny.edu/~tbw/ncc/Notes/chapter2.maps/michigan.mental.map.jpg

Main page: http://www.geography.hunter.cuny.edu/~tbw/ncc/Notes/chapter.2.outline.html

A mental map is a highly abstracted representation of a real world location. Mental maps are created based on one's experience of a certain location. As more knowledge is gained, more detail is able to be represented such as locations, distances, and infrastructure. The map above is a mental map of Michigan drawn from Michigan's upper peninsula. You can clearly see more detail within Michigan's boundary as opposed to the other states within the United States. This is because the map maker has more knowledge of Michigan with his experiences and familiarity of the state and his location.

Choropleth Map

http://my.ilstu.edu/~jrcarter/Geo204/Choro/Tom/

Choropleth maps are thematic maps, which only express one set of data as opposed to showing many sets of data. This map qualifies as a choropleth map as it shows only one set of data, which is the percent of people in the state of Florida who are Hispanic or Latino (of any race) based on 2000 Census data. The percentage of each Florida county is represented by colors depicted in the map's legend. When observing one specific set of data over a state, or even an entire country, choropleth maps can be highly useful to visually depict differences in that set of data with the use of colors.