Week 1: Census Lab and Good vs. Bad Maps

Maps based on U.S. 2000 Census Data

(click on maps for larger image)

What makes a map good? Comparing two maps of Madagascar


I think this is an example of a good map. It contains the elements necessary for a viewer to interpret and understand the map. There is a legend identifying the country's main cities, province boundaries and rail and road locations. Outside features like the Indian Ocean and Mozambique Channel are marked, and longitude and latitude locations are labeled, which makes it easy to put the map into context. There is also a map title and scale, which are additional elements that make this map a good one. Map accessed from: http://madagascar-gems.com/images/madagascar-map-big.jpg.






I think this is an example of a bad map. There is no scale and while the island's rivers are included, none are labeled. Additionally, since the entire country is in one color, it does not really convey any useful information and the legend seems unnecessary. The efficacy of this map would be improved with a graduated scale in color, to let people know where the highest risk malarial zones are located. I also thought that the shape of the island seems distorted, so that the overall impression from this map is that of a graphic, and not an informative map. Map accessed from: http://www.malariamaps.hps.scot.nhs.uk/

images/malariamaps/madagascar/madagascar.gif.

-Elizabeth Packer