Cartogram Examples: Showing Election Results and Economic Disparities

📚 Quick Study Guide

• 🌍 A cartogram is a map in which the geometry of regions is distorted in order to convey the information of an alternate variable.
• 🗳️ Cartograms showing election results often distort states or regions by the number of votes, not their geographic size. This can highlight areas with high voter turnout or strong support for a particular candidate.
• 💰 Cartograms depicting economic disparities might resize areas based on GDP, income levels, or poverty rates. This can reveal inequalities that are not immediately obvious on a standard map.
• 📈 There are two main types of cartograms: contiguous (where regions remain connected) and non-contiguous (where regions are separated).
• 🎨 Color shading on cartograms can also be used to display further data, for instance, population density or average income within the adjusted regions.
• 💡 When interpreting cartograms, always pay attention to the variable being represented and how the distortion affects your perception of the data.
• 📊 Cartograms can be created using various software tools and statistical methods, allowing for a customizable representation of geographic data.

Practice Quiz

1. Which of the following best describes a cartogram?
   1. A) A map that shows elevation changes.
   2. B) A map where regions are distorted to represent a variable other than land area.
   3. C) A map showing only political boundaries.
   4. D) A map displaying climate zones.
2. What is a common use for cartograms in political geography?
   1. A) Displaying the physical terrain of a country.
   2. B) Showing the population density of urban areas.
   3. C) Representing election results by distorting regions based on vote counts.
   4. D) Mapping natural resources.
3. If a cartogram distorts countries based on GDP, what is it most likely illustrating?
   1. A) Population distribution.
   2. B) Economic disparities.
   3. C) Climate change impact.
   4. D) Military strength.
4. What is the key difference between contiguous and non-contiguous cartograms?
   1. A) Contiguous cartograms use color, while non-contiguous do not.
   2. B) Contiguous cartograms maintain the connection between regions, while non-contiguous ones separate them.
   3. C) Contiguous cartograms show population, while non-contiguous show GDP.
   4. D) There is no difference.
5. What additional information can be conveyed through color shading in a cartogram?
   1. A) The political affiliation of the region.
   2. B) The average rainfall.
   3. C) Population density or average income.
   4. D) The number of hospitals.
6. When interpreting cartograms, what is the most important factor to consider?
   1. A) The colors used.
   2. B) The original size of the regions.
   3. C) The variable being represented and how the distortion affects perception.
   4. D) The type of projection used.
7. Which tool is commonly used to create cartograms?
   1. A) Telescope.
   2. B) Barometer.
   3. C) Various software tools and statistical methods.
   4. D) Abacus.