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.

Lab #5 Boundary Maps

Here is my creation of the Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. boundary map. I have labeled the three territories and added a gradient fill as a neatline.

Good Typography

Though a relatively simple map showing only Maryland's 24 counties and major water resources, it uses good typography. The difference in font color and size make it easy for the viewer to discern the county labels from the water body labels. All of the county labels are fit within their boundaries reading horizontally on a straight line with few exceptions. These exceptions were only made in efforts to keep the county labels on land and within their boundaries so they were not to extend into the water. All of the water body labels were properly italicized, while all of the rivers are labeled along their path. The water reservoirs were labeled with the best possible type placement due to it being a small scale map which doesn't allow the reservoirs to be labeled within the body of water.

Lab #4: Typography

For this lab we were given a printed copy of Harpers Ferry National Park. We were then provided with a computer copy of the map without any labels. The point of this lab was to label the blank map as close as possible to resemble to printed copy of Harpers Ferry National Park. You be the judge, how close is it?

Becca