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Lesson Navigation IconThematic Cartography

Unit Navigation IconIntroduction to thematic cartography

Unit Navigation IconDesign of thematic maps

Unit Navigation IconPreliminary decisions and questions for the creation of a thematic map

LO Navigation IconChoice of the topic

LO Navigation IconAnalysis and concept

LO Navigation IconScale, format and location

LO Navigation IconChoice of the map projection

LO Navigation IconFrame maps or island maps?

LO Navigation IconSingle-colour or multi-colour maps

LO Navigation IconLabeling

LO Navigation IconDesign and structure of a map

LO Navigation IconSummary

LO Navigation IconRecommended Reading

Unit Navigation IconTransformation of statistical data into thematic maps

Unit Navigation IconMapping techniques for thematic maps

Unit Navigation IconSelf Assessment

Unit Navigation IconRecommended Reading

Unit Navigation IconGlossary

Unit Navigation IconBibliography

Unit Navigation IconMetadata


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Choice of the map projection

Often, the map projection is predetermined. If it is not predetermined, a lot depends on the map size, the scale, shape and location of the region of interest on the globe. Depending on the purpose, equivalent, conformal and compromising projections are used. However, a high degree in equivalence results in a high degree of angle distortion and a high degree of conformance results in a high degree of areal distortion. Therefore, a projection between these extremes is sought, which ideally possesses small distortions. Possibly, compromising projections can be of interest, which for example possess equidistant circles of latitude or which preserve proportional distances. If comparisons of areas are important for small scales, equivalent projections are preferred.

Choice of the projection depending on scale and map size

The following table provides an overview over the choice of the projection depending on scale and size of the area.

Source: according to Hufnagel 1998 in Source: according to Hufnagel 1998 in (Klauer 2000)

Choice of the projection depending on shape and location of the area

To achieve minimal distortions on the map, different map projections are preferred depending on the shape and location of the area. The following table shows the categorization into the three main design types. These are valid in particular for small to medium sized areas. It becomes more difficult when depicting greater areas, where usually compromise projections are used.

Source: according to Hufnagel 1998 in Source: according to Hufnagel 1998 in (Klauer 2000)

Choice of the projection depending on topic

Depending on the topic of the map, conformal (for nautical and navigational maps) or equal-area (for distribution maps) projections are preferred or are even inevitable for the map to serve its purpose. However, to avoid distortions compromising maps are suited best.

Source: according to Hufnagel 1998 in Source: according to Hufnagel 1998 in (Klauer 2000)
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