GIS 3015: Choropleth and Proportional Symbol Mapping

My assignment for this past week was to create a choropleth map using either proportional or graduated symbols.  Proportional and graduated symbols are a class of maps that use the visual variable size to represent differences in the magnitude of discrete data, like counts of people.  Just like in choropleth maps, these two symbols allow you to create classed or unclassed versions of this mapping technique.  The classed maps are known as range graded or graduated symbols, and the unclassed are called proportional symbols, where the area of the symbols are proportional to the values of the attribute being mapped.  I decided to use the graduated symbols (as shown below) to compare the population of Europeans and their wine consumption.  I decided to use graduated symbols for my map because unlike proportional symbols, they will likely result in displaying the smallest symbol on the map.  Proportional symbols will likely not display a symbol for the excluded countries due to low consumption qualities.  We also had the option to create our own picture symbol, which after spending hours on trying to figure out, I was unable to achieve.    

The data classification method that I chose for this map is the quantile method.  I chose this because it uses all of the color variations, ensuring that all of the classes are visibly represented on the map.  With this method, it is not difficult for the viewer to ascertain the population dynamics for most of the countries.  The quantile data classification method makes the map look presentable, is appealing, and it also makes things easier to comprehend for the viewers.

I created this map by using both ArcMap and Adobe Illustrator.  I added the inset, the graduated symbols, title, legends and all of the elements within ArcMap.  I then switched over to Illustrator and added the subtext, providing a brief synopsis of what the map is presenting.  I also added all of the country and water names. Finally, I lowered the opacity for the area the inset map shows, making it more visible.