- Definition
A choropleth map uses different shades of the same color to show how much of something, like population, is in different areas. Darker shades usually mean there's more of it, and lighter shades mean there's less.
A map showing population density could use shades of red, with darker red indicating more people per square kilometer.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: A choropleth map is like a weather forecast map where different shades of a color show you the intensity of something, like temperature or rainfall.
Ask your child: What story is this map telling you with its colors?
Common mix-up: Students might think the colors are just to make different areas look distinct, like on a political map. The key is that the shades of color represent different levels of data.
Examples
- An election map where districts are shaded with different intensities of red or blue to show the percentage of votes for a party.
- A world map using shades of brown to show which countries have higher or lower oil reserves.
choropleth map is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
