Open map List

Colour

Color in cartography refers to the use of different hues, shades, and intensities to represent spatial data on a map. It is a crucial element in map design, helping to distinguish features, convey information, and enhance readability.

Basic

Introduction

Key Roles of Color in Maps:

  1. Differentiation of Features:
    • Distinguishes land vs. water, roads vs. natural areas, or political boundaries.
  2. Thematic Data Representation:
    • Used in choropleth, heat, and bivariate maps to show data variations.
  3. Enhances Map Readability:
    • Helps users quickly interpret patterns, categories, and hierarchies.

Explanation

Types of Color Use in Cartography:

  1. Qualitative Color Schemes (Categorical Data):

    • Used for distinct categories without numerical ranking (e.g., land use types: urban, forest, water).
    • Example: Different colors for different countries on a political map.
       

  2. Sequential Color Schemes (Ordered Data):

    • Uses a gradient from light to dark for increasing values (e.g., population density, temperature).
    • Example: Light blue for low rainfall, dark blue for high rainfall.
       

  3. Diverging Color Schemes:

    • Shows data that diverges from a midpoint, using two contrasting colors.
    • Example: Election maps showing red for one party, blue for another.

Examples

Common Color Associations in Cartography:

Color Common Meaning
Blue Water bodies, cooler temperatures
Green Forests, parks, vegetation
Brown Elevation, terrain (contour lines)
Red Population density, danger, heat
Yellow Dry areas, sandy regions
Gray/Black Urban areas, roads, infrastructure

Outgoing relations

Incoming relations