Geographer how-to

How to Make an Honest Choropleth Map

Maps can mislead.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
Quick answer

Maps can mislead. In short: normalize; pick; choose, then complete the remaining steps below.

Step by step

  1. Normalize data.

  2. Pick classes.

  3. Choose colors.

  4. Add a legend.

  5. Note sources.

  6. Check readability.

Safety reminders for geographers

  • Follow field safety
  • Protect sensitive data
  • Use ergonomic setups
  • Document sources

Spatial analysis · Remote sensing · Land use · Choropleth map · Hot spot analysis · Scale: see the full geographer glossary.

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