GEO 362

CHAPTER 5
Symbolization
INTRODUCTION

Types of thematic map

Types of geographic data

measurement

Symbolization Visual
Variables
 THEMATIC MAPS

Choropleth Isopleth

Types of
thematic map

Graduated
Dot
Proportional Symbol
 THEMATIC MAPS
The four map types presented here can be distinguished according to three
criteria:
What kinds of symbols are used? :
a) Point (e.g. a symbol located at a point)
b) Linear (Isolines)
c) Area (Colored)
To represent what phenomena :
a) Quantities
b) Locations
c) Quantities and locations
To answer what questions? :
a) Distribution patterns
b) Individual values
 THEMATIC MAPS
Choropleth Map

a) These maps contain areas that are colour or

patterned in proportion to the statistical variable
being displayed on the map.
b) Data are aggregated over predefined area units
(e.g. politically - defined area).
 THEMATIC MAPS
Advantages & Disadvantages of Choropleth Map

Advantages Disadvantages

Easy to produce and read Cannot show variability within regions

Distribution patterns are easy to Regions are often not appropriate for
recognize a theme

Most common weakness: colours for

quantities
 THEMATIC MAPS
Isopleth Map

a) Isopleth maps are used to depict smooth

continuous phenomena (e.g. weather, temperature
data)
b) Ideal for showing gradual change over space
c) Temperature, for example, is a phenomenon that
should be mapped using isopleth, since
temperature exists at every point (is continuous),
yet does not change abruptly at any point
 THEMATIC MAPS
Advantages & Disadvantages of Isopleth Map

Advantages Disadvantages

Familiar from topographic maps Unsuitable for showing discontinuous

(terrain representation) distributions

One type of map for continuous Large amount of data is required for
phenomena accurate drawing
 THEMATIC MAPS
Graduated Proportional Symbol Maps

a) These maps contain symbols varying in size to

show their relative quantitative values; used with
point/location data.
b) Size of the symbol reflects the amount of the
phenomenon
c) Normally use circle symbol to depict values on the
map
 THEMATIC MAPS
Advantages & Disadvantages of Graduated Proportional Symbol Map

Advantages Disadvantages

Good visual representation of data Distribution patterns can be difficult

to recognize

Large, open-ended choice of possible Danger of visual clutter (crowded)

symbols from circles through bars
(any kind of symbols can be used-if
possible; based on data)
Although some map makers may find pictographic symbols more interesting
(e.g., the cars in the map at the left), such symbols have complicated shapes
that make their areas more difficult to estimate and create greater problems
with symbol overlap than more abstract, geometric shapes (e.g., the circles
in the map on the right).
 THEMATIC MAPS
Dot Maps

a) Dot maps have become increasingly popular.

b) They are a good alternative for choropleth maps.
c) Each dot in a dot map represents a fixed value.
d) E.g. Population data
 THEMATIC MAPS
Advantages & Disadvantages of Dot Maps

Advantages Disadvantages
Show finer detail, actual distribution Lack precise location and value of
patterns (ex: population) each individual item

Production made easier through GIS / Unfamiliar map

cartography
GEOGRAPHIC DATA MEASUREMENT

Nominal Ordinal
(Qualitative) (Qualitative)

Types of
data

Interval Ratio
(Quantitative) (Quantitative)
 GEOGRAPHIC DATA MEASUREMENT
Nominal
a) Nominal scale includes only names, which are the result of
classification.
b) Nominal scale is often called "qualitative" in cartography
c) Names are not formally ordered, rather they describe different
categories of the same rank.
d) Examples of nominal attributes are:
- Administrative regions (city, county, state, country)
- Land use classes (urban, agricultural, forest)
- Soil types (brown soil, laterite)
Example of nominal data:
Types of land Use
 GEOGRAPHIC DATA MEASUREMENT
Ordinal
a) The ordinal scale is a result of putting descriptive
categories into a formal order.
b) This enables a comparison of rank without
providing any information about the quantity of
the difference.
c) Examples of ordinal attributes :
- Water quality
- Earthquake magnitudes
- Opinions on a survey: Strongly agree, agree,
disagree, strongly disagree
 Example of ordinal data:
Severity level of earth quake
 GEOGRAPHIC DATA MEASUREMENT
Interval

a) An interval scale is the result of arranging values

on a scale with an agreed upon zero or starting
point and a unit of measure.
b) Interval scales add information about distance
between ranks to the description of kind and rank
c) Example : Difference among temperatures by
using units (degree Celsius, Fahrenheit)
Example of interval data:
Temperature interval
 GEOGRAPHIC DATA MEASUREMENT
Ratio

a) A ratio scale is the product of a quantification

through counting, statistics, measurement, etc.
b) The data are expressed as absolute values,
sometimes including a unit.
c) Examples of attributes measured on a ratio scale
are: population, length, area, velocity.
Example of ratio data:
Population distribution
 SYMBOLIZATION
Why we need symbols in our map?

a) To simplify our map since the real world is too

complex
b) To encourage easy map comprehension
c) To deliver the message more convincing manner
d) To make our map more communicative
 VISUAL VARIABLES
What is the important of perception in map design process?

To communicate information with the audience

How to give an effective perception on the map?

Intensive and creative use of graphical elements and visual

variables is important to create the desired perception.
 VISUAL VARIABLES
Not only you as the map maker needed to understand the
symbols in the map.
Now you need to consider :
a) How you will present your final map to a wide
audience?
b) What kind of symbols will you use?
c) What colours scheme should the map have?
d) Are labels necessary?
 BERTINS VISUAL VARIABLES
Jacques Bertin, a French cartographer and information designer described one
of the first comprehensive theories on graphic variables and their uses.
He named seven (7) visual variables that can be used to differentiate objects in
a map and others built on his work and expanded the list include:

Position Size Shape

Hue Saturation Texture

Value Orientation
 POINT LINE AREA BEST TO SHOW

SHAPE Possible but too Qualitative

weird to show

SIZE Quantitative

HUE Qualitative

VALUE Quantitative

SATURATION Quantitative

TEXTURE Qualitative

ORIENTATION Qualitative

POSITION NOT AVAILABLE

 BERTINS VISUAL VARIABLE
1. Shape

a) Shape is a simple design that is used to symbolize an attribute on

a map.
b) They reference a location with a certain attribute.
c) Different shapes generally correspond with different attributes.
Ex: Red cross : - Medical services e.g. Hospital
Star : Important location
e) Shapes are also easily recognized in contrast with one another.
 BERTINS VISUAL VARIABLE
2. Size
a) Size is the only visual variable that works for all quantitative
attributes.
b) Size is limited by the ability of the map reader to estimate the
difference between sizes.
 BERTINS VISUAL VARIABLE
3. Hue

a) Hue is the measure of wavelengths

that a surface reflects resulting in
perceived differences in red, green,
blue, etc.
b) Variations in colour hue are excellent
for nominal attributes e.g. Land use
c) Hue alone has limited use for
quantitative attributes.
 BERTINS VISUAL VARIABLE
4. Value
a) Colour value is the lightness or darkness of a colour from pure
black to pure white.
b) High values are light (white or yellow) and low values are dark
(black or navy blue)
 BERTINS VISUAL VARIABLE
5. Saturation
a) The third dimension of colour is saturation, which denotes how
pure the colour is compared to a gray tone of the same value.

Desaturated red Saturated red

 BERTINS VISUAL VARIABLE
6. Texture

a) Texture or pattern is a complex graphic variable, combining size,

value, hue, shape and orientation.
b) It is used for nominal and ordered attributes of areas and lines.
 BERTINS VISUAL VARIABLE
7. Orientation
a) Orientation is used for cyclic quantitative attributes at points.
b) A maximum of four (or eight directed) orientations can be directly
recognized.
 BERTINS VISUAL VARIABLE
7. Position

a) Position of map elements is important in cartography.

b) Absolute location on a map cannot be altered, but the position
of labels and information can affect the viewer's perception of a map.
BERTINS VISUAL PERCEPTION
All symbols look of equal
Associative importance

Groups of symbols can easily

Selective be distinguished

Any order between symbols

Ordered can be distinguished

Any order in terms of amounts

Quantitative can be distinguished
BERTINS VISUAL PERCEPTION

Quantitative
Associative

Ordered
Selective
Size

Value

Texture

Hue

Orientation

Shape