Map# 25: DRG

A DRG or Digital Raster Graphic is a scanned image of a topographical map reproduced as a digital image.

Map# 24: Isopleth Map

Isopleth maps generalize and simplifiy data with a continuous distribution. It shows the data as a third dimension on a map.  These maps are often utilized for mapping surface elevations, amounts of precipitation, atmospheric pressure, and numerous other measurements that can be viewed statistically as a third dimension.

Map# 23: Isohyet Map

Isohyet maps show lines joining points of equal precipitation. The yellow areas on this map received the least amount of rainfall, and the dark blue areas indicate the most precipitation.

Map# 22: Isotach Map

Isotachs maps depict lines of equal wind speed. This map shows wind speeds across Canada. The numbers on the map indicate wind speed in Miles Per Hour (MPH)

Map# 21: Isobar Map

Isobar maps show lines of equal atmospheric pressure drawn over a meteorological map. This map highlights areas of low and high pressure with the letters L and H.

Map# 20: LIDAR

Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) is a remote sensing system used to collect topographic data. This system is being used  to document topographic changes along shorelines. After establishing a baseline, scientists can then follow up in the future to detect shoreline changes. This map captures elevation data from Hilton Head, South Carolina to enable the study of shorelines changes there.

Map# 19: Doppler Radar Map

Doppler radar is often used to project weather patterns. This Doppler map of New England shows the amount of precipitation throughout the area at a given point of time. The scale along the right side connects the colors with the level of precipitation.

Map# 18: Black and White aerial photo map

Black and white aerial photo maps are actual photos of a particular area. This one shows houses, buildings, roads, subdivisions, trees and other details in an area of Kansas.

Map# 17: Infrared Aerial Photo Map

This is an infrared aerial photo map of the United States. The photo was taken in the infrared band of light and shown on the National Weather Service web page.  Lower level clouds are generally warmer. They are shown as grey areas. Higher clouds are usually colder and are shown as colored areas. Warmer objects are always darker.

Map# 16: Cartographic Animation

Cartographic animation is the incorporation of graphic art that occurs in time.  Animation provides is a dynamic visual statement that evolves through various interval changes in the display. Using this type of mapping would allow viewers to observe changes in data over a period of time in a striking way. You could depict how an important battle proceeded, how railroads spread across the country, and how trade developed along them. These are just two examples. The map above shows how rainfall has changed in this portion of Africa over a period of years. (wait for animation to load).

Map# 15: Statistical Map

A statistical map reflecting the number of personal care homes in the State of Pennsylvania (by region). It shows both the total licensed capacity (numbers in black), and the actual numbers of personal care homes (numbers in red). 

Map# 14: Cartogram

A cartogram is a map that resizes territories according to the variable which is being studied. The above map is a cartogram of the 2004 Presidential election results. Notice how the size of the states has been redrawn to reflect the actual size of their populations and not just their geographic size.

Map# 13: Flow Map

Flow maps are useful for showing the movement of people, goods, services, things, etc. from one location to another.  This map shows the flow of Kilauea volcanic lava flow as it expanded between 17 July 2008 and August 21st 2008 (noted in dark red)

Map# 12: Isoline Map

Isoline maps show continuing lines joining points of like value.  A common example is contour lines on a topographic map. Other examples include isobars showing barometric pressure, isotachs showing wind speed, and isotherms showing temperature. The colorful map above shows areas of common dewpoint temperatures throughout the United States.

Map# 11: Proportional Circle Map

Proportional circle maps utilize simple discs of varying proportions to depict different values of a certain subject or area of study. The map above studies median rent values in different areas. Notice how the size of the circles varies with higher or lower rent values.

Map# 10: Choropleth Map

Choropleth maps show quantitative data through the use of various colors and intensity of those colors. One can use this type of map to show density, percent, average value of a certain subject. The map above shows the net cash farm income throughout the United States. The darker the red, the higher the net cash income. Notice the high farm income in Southern California.

Map# 9: Dot Distribution Maps

Dot distribution maps highlight where particular data characteristics occur. These maps utilize dots or various other markers to represent the number of occurrences of a certain data characteristic in a location or area. Each dot or symbol used on the map may represent a single entity (one dot = one person) or a group (one dot = 1000 people). The map above shows acres of farmland with 1 dot equalling 100,000 acres.

Map# 8: Propaganda Maps

Propaganda maps were in wide use in the 1900s and used to convey political messages and views of many contentious issues. The propaganda map above depicts a red pump/octopus as a metaphor for Western Europeans who took it upon themselves to communicate in any way with Eastern Europeans (the enemy). The map is rife with imagery of traitors and spies, and products being secretly given, sold, or provided to the enemy.

Map# 7: Hypsometric Map

Hypsometric maps depict elevation through the use of contour, color, and shading.The above hypsometric map of a portion of France readily depicts the differences in elevation of this area

Map# 6: PLSS (Public Land Survey System) Map

The Public Land Survey System (PLSS) is a land partioning system used in the United States. Land in the public domain (and some privately held land) throughout the U.S. is subdivided by guidelines of this rectangular system of surveys. Land is divided into 6-mile-square townships, and townships are further subdivided into 36 one-mile- square sections. Subdivision continues into quarter sections, quarter-quarter sections, or irregular government lots. Permanent markers or a monument denote the section corner. The PLSS maps sections above depict the subdivisions.

Map# 5: Cadastral Maps

Cadastral maps depict boundaries and ownership of land parcels. They can include survey district names, unique identifying numbers for parcels, certificate of title numbers, positions of existing structures, section and/or lot numbers and their respective areas, adjoining and adjacent street names. They provide the location, and dimensions of various parcels of land. Their primary use is to document land ownership, value property,and determine taxes. They are frequently used in legal cases involving disputes over land ownership. The simple cadastral map above shows locations and sizes of various plots of land.

Map# 4: Thematic Map

Thematic maps highlight specific subjects. There are different types of thematic maps which can include choropleth or shaded maps, dot maps, proportional symbol maps, and isarithmic maps. These maps can also focus on a specific subject. The theme of the above map is Tall Buildings and it highlights the tallest buildings in the world.

Map# 3: Topographic Map

Topographic maps utilize contour lines to depict the shape and various elevations of land. They depict both natural and man made elements. Some of the features you can expect to find on a topographic map are: mountains, valleys, plains, lakes, rivers, and vegetation, roads, boundaries, transmission lines, and major buildings. The most common scale for these maps is 1:24,000. This is a map of the Big Meadows area of the Skyline Drive in Virginia.  Notice how close many of the countour lines are, helping you to see the steepness of the terrain.

Map#2: Planemetric Map

Planemetric maps effectively show the footprints of buildings, sidewalks, parking lots, key thoroughfares. This type of map would be useful for depicting key buildings and locations on a University Campus, or a downtown area. This is a map of a portion of the Pensacola Junior College Campus showing key buildings, parking areas, and roads.