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A bivariate choropleth combines two area-level variables in one map by assigning each area a colour representing the joint class of both values.
A hexbin map aggregates points or values into equal-sized hexagonal cells, making dense point patterns easier to compare without creating a smooth surface.
A flow map represents movement or connection between places with lines, arrows or bands that can encode direction, magnitude, mode or time.
A dot-density map places equal-sized dots within areas, with each dot representing a fixed quantity rather than an exact observed location.
A geographic heat map represents the concentration of point observations as a smooth intensity surface, often using colour to show where nearby observations accumulate.
A proportional-symbol map represents numeric magnitude with symbol area at geographic locations, allowing totals to be compared without colouring entire regions.
Choropleths compare values across predefined areas, heat maps summarise point concentration, and proportional-symbol maps show magnitude at locations.
Choose a map type by matching the geographic phenomenon, data model, comparison task and audience—not by starting from a familiar chart or style.
Reference maps prioritise orientation and location across many feature types, while thematic maps organise geography around a particular subject, variable or argument.
A choropleth map colours predefined geographic areas according to a statistical value, usually a rate, percentage, density or other area-comparable measure.