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.