Thematic+Map+Importance

Thematic Maps
Why are thematic maps so important for the geographer? Well, thematic maps allow a geographer to show the relationship between two or more variables in a region. For instance one thematic map can show the rainfall differences in different regions in Ontario and another can show the grain produced in these regions. The geographer could compare these maps and be able to decide where the best places in Ontario to farm are.

We must remember that geographers use information about people, cities, and the environment (along with everything that relates to them!) and thematic maps allow them to use and make sense of this information. Some thematic maps have a dot or a shape for each instance of a particular thing (ie. families with a certain income, a type of building, dogs with spotted tails, anything!!). A thematic map with a large concentration of a particular thing in an area would have lots of dots or shapes in that area, sometimes so much so that the area looks like it's just one big dot or blob of colour.

Activity
1. Name 5 things that could be represented on a thematic map. 2. Think of two things that a geographer could compare using thematic maps that would be useful to know. Why would it be useful? 3. If you were creating a thematic map that showed the distribution of people with visual impairments in Brantford, what might it look like?