Articles — About maps
What is a thematic map?
There are many types of maps. Maps have been designed with specific uses in mind since the earliest cartographers began mapping earth centuries and centuries ago. Planisphere by Rumold Mercator 1587 In fundamental ways maps began as a means of understanding the lands and waterbodies that comprised the world, charting exploration and discoveries of previously unknown places, and defining a nation's imperialistic extents. Map of Ancient Germany - Edward Wells 1700 Over time maps have changed and expanded the way we interpret information about what happens all around us. Maps that display a singular topic are known as thematic maps....
What is an educational map?
It might sound like an odd question as it could be argued that any map has some educational value. But it isn't as simple as that. Maps, like books, are not all created equal. Every book pulled off a shelf isn’t going to be a great one. Its grammar might be good, the plot moderately interesting but lacks the compelling qualities that make you want to read it. Or it could be so uniformly bad that you put it back immediately. Similarly, maps can suffer from being poorly put together, using incomplete or bad data, and look unappealing if the...