Final Map Project

Here is my final map project for Introduction to Digital Cartography (Geography 310). For my final project I chose to map the total amount of waster diversion as it relates to the amount of plastics recycled in Maryland's 24 counties. Surprisingly enough there was no direct relationship between the two data sets. Although some counties, such as Garrett County, had a high rate of waste diversion (52.13%)the total amount of recycled plastics was drastically smaller in size. This is most likely due to the large agricultural value of Garrett County which weighs a heavy load in compost recycling to increase its total waste diversion rate. However there were counties such as Montgomery and Anne Arundel whose total waste diversion rate was representative of the amount of recycled plastics.

For more information:
Maryland Waste Diversion Activities Report 2007
Maryland Department of the Environment
Recycling Centers
College Recycling Programs Fluctuate
Fun Recycling Facts
Our Earth

Lab #10 Bivariate Map

This map did prove harder to make then I originally thought in would be.

Lab #9: Color Choropleth Map

My printed map looks very different from the visual map shown on the computer screen. The printed version is slightly darker in color giving each hue a little bit more weight or value. Some of the colors that appear to be very distinct (i.e. the difference between class 5, 31-32%, and class 4, 25-28%) on the computer screen appear to much closer in hue on the printed version. This could make a map easy to read on the computer but much harder to read or understand the phenomena presented on a printed version of the same map. The online version also makes the last class appear as though it has a slightly higher intensity than the rest of the classes but on the printed copy looks to be the same intensity or chroma.

Lab #8 Graduated Proportions

So far this has been the most enjoyable map to make as it was easier to add theme oriented graphics. Hope you enjoy cattle!!

Lab #7 Choropleth Maps

Above are my two Choropleth maps. The bottom map demonstrates the use of natural breaks as means for constructing a class interval while the top demonstrates equal interval class structure. Similarities exist between both maps because they are both expressing the same data set classified in two separate ways. They both exhibit trends that appear to disperse food stamps predominantly across the southern half of the United States. However, the choropleth map classified using natural breaks shows a concentrated ranges between states in the later three classes as the majority of the states have been classified into the two lower classes between 14 and 21%. The choropleth map that has data classified due to equal interval exhibits the same southern trend as the first map but includes more states in higher classes. While the equal interval map may appear to be slightly more aesthetically appealing because of its equal nature of class dispersion it doesn't accurately represent the data. The natural breaks choropleth demonstrates little variety between the states but is an accurate representation of the amount of food stamps that are dispersed across the nation as they are awarded by personal need and not geographic location.

Lab #6 West Virginia Dot Map

For my dot map I choose to use the data set concerning the amount of houses built 1939 or earlier. I tried to use colors to that the dots would be easier for the eyes to locate.

Dot Density map

Dot Density Map of Child Mortality. (each dot represents 5000 deaths)An interesting, though sad dot density map that I came across. I think that it is a good map because it grabs the audience's attention with the dramatic background which adds a topographic effect if viewed from afar.