> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://vikram-bajaj.gitbook.io/cs-gy-6313-information-visualization/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://vikram-bajaj.gitbook.io/cs-gy-6313-information-visualization/main-5/geo-visualization/geo-visualization-techniques/summary-of-map-types.md).

# Summary of Map Types

**Dot Maps** are effective when the goal is to visualize the **distribution of geolocated objects**.

**Heat Maps** and **Binned Maps** are effective when the goal is to visualize the **density (or frequency) of a phenomenon**. In a heat map, the spatial field is continuous, whereas in a binned map, it is discretized.

**Choropleth Maps** and **Symbol Maps** are effective when the goal is to visualize **statistics** associated with **specific geographical regions**. Choropleth maps color the entire region and may use color intensity to represent quantity whereas symbol maps use size (of the symbols) to represent quantity. While choropleth maps can use only one channel at a time (either color hue for categories or color intensity for quantities), symbol maps are more versatile and can use two channels at a time (color hue for categories and symbol size for quantities).