Choropleth Maps (Edexcel GCSE Statistics)
Revision Note
Written by: Roger B
Reviewed by: Dan Finlay
Choropleth Maps
A choropleth map is a way of representing data for different regions of a geographical area
Regions can be filled with different shades or depths of colours
Colours can’t be shown on a black and white exam paper
So shades from black (most dense), through different shades of grey, to white (least dense) can be used instead
Or they can be filled with different patterns or symbols (cross-hatching, etc.)
This is also common on black and white choropleth maps (like the ones on exams)
There will be a key to show what each shade (or pattern, etc.) represents
A choropleth map may not always be a fully accurate geographic map
A more idealised or abstract diagram may be used instead
Worked Example
The diagram represents a field at a music festival. The field has been divided into 30 squares of equal area.
The number in each square on the diagram gives the number of people who were in that square of the field at a particular time, just after the most popular group at the festival had started playing.
(a) Use the information above to complete this choropleth map.
Match the numbers in the squares with the symbols in the key
Use this to fill in the 8 remaining squares on the choropleth map
(b) The concert stage was on one of the four sides of the field that is represented by the choropleth map. Suggest, with a reason, which side of the field the stage was on.
When the most popular band was playing, we'd expect the most people to be near the side of the field where the stage was
The darkest squares (representing the highest numbers of people) are all near the top of the diagram. Therefore that is likely to be where the stage was.
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