Several types of thematic maps have been invented, starting in the 18th and 19th centuries, as large amounts of statistical data began to be collected and published, such as national censuses. Thematic mapping is closely allied with the field of Geovisualization. Alternative names have been suggested for this class, such as special-subject or special-purpose maps, statistical maps, or distribution maps, but these have generally fallen out of common usage. In this, they contrast with general reference maps, which focus on the location (more than the properties) of a diverse set of physical features, such as rivers, roads, and buildings. This usually involves the use of map symbols to visualize selected properties of geographic features that are not naturally visible, such as temperature, language, or population.

Isarithmic map of minimum temperature used as plant hardiness zones.Ī thematic map is a type of map that portrays the geographic pattern of a particular subject matter (theme) in a geographic area. A very innovative thematic map from the 19th century. Minard's 1869 flow map of Napoleon's invasion of Russia in 1812–1813. For broader coverage of this topic, see Map.

Us population density wall map thematic