CH-3 Geography

CHAPTER-3 GRAPHICAL REPRESANTATION OF DATA
Representation of Data:-The data describe the properties of the phenomena they represent.
They are collected from a variety of sources . The geographers, economists, resource scientists and
the decision makers use a lot of data these days. Besides the tabular form, the data may also be
presented in some graphic or diagrammatic form. The transformation of data through visual methods
like graphs, diagrams. maps and charts is called representation of data. Such a form of the
presentation of data makes it easy to understand the patterns of population growth, distribution and
the density, sex ratio, age-sex composition, occupational structure, ete, within a geographical
territory. There is a Chinese proverb that 'a picture is equivalent to thousands of words'. Hence, the
graphic method of the representation of data enhances our understanding, and makes the
comparisons
General Rules for Drawing Graphs, Diagrams and Maps
1. Selection of a Suitable Method
Data represent various themes such as temperature, rainfall, growth and distribution of the
population, production, distribution and trade of different commodities, etc. These characteristics of
the data need to be suitably represented by an appropriate graphical method. For example, data
related to the temperature or growth of population between different periods in time and for
different countries/states may best be represented using line graphs. Similarly, bar diagrams are
suited best for showing rainfall or the production of commodities. The population distribution, both
human and livestock, or the distribution of the crop producing areas may suitably be represented on
dot maps and the population density using choropleth maps.
2. Selection of Suitable Scale
The scale is used as measure of the data for representation over diagrams and maps. Hence, the
selection of suitable scale for the given data sets should be carefully made and must take into
consideration entire data that is to be represented. The scale should neither be too large nor too
small.
3. Design
We know that the design is an important cartographic task The following components of the
cartographic designs are important. Hence, these should be carefully shown on the final
diagram/map.
4. Title
The title of the diagram/map indicates the name of the area, reference year of the data used and the
caption of the diagram. These components are represented using letters and numbers of different
font sizes and thickness. Besides, their placing also matters. Normally, title, subtitle and the
corresponding year are shown in the centre at the top of the map/diagram.
5. Legend
A legend or index is an important component of any diagram/map. It explains the colours, shades,
symbols and signs used in the map and diagram. It should also be carefully drawn and must
correspond to the contents of the map/diagram. Besides, it also needs to be properly positioned.
Normally, a legend is shown either at the lower left or lower right side of the map sheet.
6. Direction
The maps, being a representation of the part of the earth's surface, need be oriented to the
directions. Hence, the direction symbol, i. e. North, should also be drawn and properly placed on the
final map.
Construction of Diagrams
The data possess measurable characteristics such as length, width and volume.
The diagrams and the maps that are drawn to represent these data related
characteristics may be grouped into the following types:
(i) One-dimensional diagrams, such as line graph, poly graph, bar diagram, histogram, age, sex,
pyramid, etc.;
(11) Two-dimensional diagram, such as pie diagram and rectangular diagram;
(iii) Three-dimensional diagrams, such as cube and spherical diagrams.
It would not be possible to discuss the methods of construction of these many types of diagrams and
maps primarily due to the time constraint. We will, therefore, describe the most commonly drawn
diagrams and maps and the way they are constructed. These are:
1.Line graphs 2.Bar diagrams 3.Pie diagram 4.Wind rose and star diagram 5.Flow Charts
Line Graph
The line graphs are usually drawn to represent the time series data related to the temperature,
rainfall, population growth, birth rates and the death rates. Table 3.1 provides the data used for the
construction of Line graph
Polygraph-Polygraph is a line graph in which two or more than two

variables are shown by an equal number of lines for an immediate
comparison, such as the growth rate of different crops like rice, wheat,
pulses or the birth rates, death rates and life expectancy or sex ratio in
different states or countries. A different line pattern such as straight line
(), broken line (-), dotted line (......) or a combination of dotted and
broken line (-.-.-) or line of different colours may be used to indicate the
value of different variables
Bar Diagram
The bar diagrams are drawn through columns of equal width. It is also
called a columnar diagram. Following rules should be observed while
constructing a bar diagram:
(a) The width of all the bars or columns should be similar.
(b) All the bars should be placed on equal intervals/distance.
(c) Bars may be shaded with colours or patterns to make them distinct
and attractive.
The simple, compound or polybar diagram may be constructed to suit
the data characteristics.
Simple Bar Diagram
A simple bar diagram is constructed for an immediate comparison. It is
advisable to arrange the given data set in an ascending or descending
order and plot the data variables accordingly. However, time series data
are represented according to the sequencing of the time period.
Example 3.3: Construct a simple bar diagram to represent the rainfall
data of Thiruvananthapuram as given in Table 3.3:

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CHAPTER-3 GRAPHICAL REPRESANTATION OF DATA

Polygraph-Polygraph is a line graph in which two or more than two

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