Cartogram

Key Features of a Cartogram:

1. Distorted Geography – Areas are resized based on data rather than real-world proportions.
2. Data Representation – Represents variables like population, economic output, or election results.
3. Two Main Types:
   • Contiguous Cartogram – Shapes of regions are distorted but remain connected.
   • Non-Contiguous Cartogram – Regions are resized and may be separated to reflect data.

1. Population Cartogram

• Countries or regions are resized based on population rather than land area.
• Example: India and China appear much larger than Canada and Australia because of their large populations, despite having smaller land areas.

2. GDP (Economic) Cartogram

• The size of a country is adjusted based on its Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
• Example: The U.S. and China appear massive, while some African countries shrink significantly.

3. Election Cartogram

• Used to represent votes or electoral college results.
• Example: A U.S. presidential election cartogram where states are sized based on electoral votes rather than physical land area.

4. Health or Disease Cartogram

• Shows the spread of diseases or healthcare access.
• Example: A cartogram depicting the number of COVID-19 cases per country, where highly affected areas expand in size.

5. Carbon Emissions Cartogram

• Adjusts country sizes based on CO₂ emissions.
• Example: The U.S., China, and India become large, while less industrialized nations shrink.

6. Hunger or Poverty Cartogram

• Countries are resized according to poverty levels or food insecurity.
• Example: Sub-Saharan Africa grows in size compared to Europe when showing global hunger rates.

7. Social Media Usage Cartogram

• Countries are resized based on the number of internet users or social media activity.
• Example: The U.S., India, and Brazil expand in size due to high numbers of social media users.