Thematic Map

Thematic map is the classification, coloring and representation of spatial information in relation to the selected subject on vector data using symbols.

Thematic maps are one of the most understandable and powerful methods of data analysis. Thematic maps are of great importance for easier understanding of spatial information, statistical analyzes and maps. For example, the province map can be colored according to the immigration density in each province. While the provinces with high immigration can be shown with dark colors, the provinces with low immigration can be shown with light colors. With this mapping method, the same data can be represented in many different ways.

Now that the question of what is a thematic map has been answered, the subject of what thematic maps are good for can be examined.

What Does Thematic Map Do?

Thematic maps enable to show the same data in many different ways, make the map more understandable, analyze and present it in different visuals.

Features of Thematic Maps

We can list the features of thematic maps as follows:

  • • Different thematic types can be used depending on the chosen topic and data.
  • • Analyzes can be made on selected data.
  • • Data can be analyzed by colors or symbols.
  • • Thematic maps usually deal with a single subject and the subject is statistically mapped.
  • • Data ranges can be defined according to the data to be used, subject purpose and thematic type. (For example; Population change can be shown in 5 ranges. 0 – 50,000, 50,000 – 100,000, 100,000 – 250,000, 250,000-750,000, 750,000 – 1,000,000 etc.)
  • • Thematic variants; values ​​can be defined as colors, shapes, orders and sizes.
  • • The map must have a legend so that it can be read and interpreted.

Creating Thematic Map

With thematic map making, various types of thematic maps can be prepared using different software. Different types of thematic maps can be created with MapInfo Pro software, which is one of the GIS software. In order to prepare such maps, it is necessary to have vector objects and database information associated with these objects.

Creating Thematic Maps in MapInfo Pro

Creating Advanced Thematic Map in MapInfo Pro

Thematic Maps and Types

Thematic map types can be classified as follows:

  • • Range: Each numerical range is displayed with a specific color. E.g; If you have values ​​between 0 and 750, these values ​​can be divided into the desired range and the objects can be colored. (0-100, 100-250, 250-750 etc.)
  • • Bar Graph: It is displayed by adding a colored bar graph over each data on the map.
  • • Pie Chart: It is displayed by adding a colored pie chart over each data on the map.
  • • Growing: The size of the symbol to be added on the map changes according to the size of the data information. That is, large values ​​are represented by large symbols, while small values ​​are indicated by small symbols.
  • • Point Density: The points to be added on the map represent data values. Values ​​are higher in areas where the points are dense. The total number of points is distributed over the area boundary to express the value of the area.
  • • Individual: Each value in the data sheet is represented by a different color and symbol. In this thematic map type, thematic can be created from both numerical and character information.
  • • Double Variable: It provides two different information about the object to be displayed simultaneously by creating double thematic on the data. E.g; sales firms can be grouped and colored according to their types, and the groups colored on the same map can be sized according to the annual profit rate. Firms with a high profit rate will be large in size, while companies with a low profit rate will be small in size.
  • • Grid: It is the type of thematic map created by using interpolation methods.

Example of Thematic Maps

Thematic map can be created with a lot of data belonging to the place.

To thematic maps; demographic, sociological, geology, hydrology, precipitation, temperature, air, water and soil pollution, natural disasters, agriculture, industry, education, mining, health, economy, production, history, transportation, transportation, maritime, tourism, banking and insurance Maps such as property management and land measurement-evaluation can be given as examples.