M5 Choropleth and Proportional Symbol Mapping

This week’s lab assignment is about Choropleth and Proportional Symbol mapping of wine consumption and population density in European countries. It is a straightforward process but delving into the task of creating the map one must realize the importance of color schemes and establishing proper symbology. It has to be correct to convey the message to the audience properly and much thought needs to go into the process. It is important to consider the audience's ability to interpret the map results with the data and colors presented.
It was fun mapping a different continent. We were given the data to add to ArcGIS and allowed free will in completing this map which is a lot of responsibility. In my opinion, the biggest challenges as I stated were ensuring colors and symbols were ideal enough to deliver a message without overpowering the reader. 

I used the quantile method to map the data separating the classifications into five categories. The blue discrete color scheme for the five classes of population density was chosen because the blue shows balance and good contrast against the gray background. More importantly, it better represents the values of population density per square kilometer mapped. The blue discrete color shows a smooth gradation making it ideal for the population density. Beginning with the light color of a faint blue the scale moves toward a dark blue hue. Choosing to use five classes of population density is an amount that does not overwhelm the map reader and offers enough information about the displayed content. In mapping wine consumption of the European countries graduated symbols were a better option to display the differences in wine consumption. I used the linear arrangement as opposed to the nesting arrangement. 

Europe Albers Equal Area Conic is the projection used for the map. It is good for continental Europe because it maintains accurate area measurements and it keeps distortion to a minimum which helps normalize the data. It has a central meridian and two parallels and Europe is small enough for the accuracy of the area with the projection to hold true for the intent of this map. Although Europe has countries that spread out to the north and south it is still oriented mostly in an east-west fashion. This setup for the projection makes it ideal for the choropleth map because the enumeration areas are the country borders. The enumeration areas of the country borders make it where the data does not need to be normalized. 

This lab, like others, offers an insight into the psychology of map-making. What colors to use? What sizes of symbols for comparison? Is the message conveyed correctly? It is always a fun adventure.