Cartographic Skills: Module 10 - Dot Mapping

In this week's module, we learned how to use dot mapping to represent population density. The objectives of learning this subject was to join spatial and tabular data, utilize dot density symbology, select suitable dot size and unit valve, and utilize the mask function to manipulate the dot placement. The map that I created this week is the population density of South Florida in 2000. This map shows the population as dots in the urban areas of South Florida. Each of the dots represents 20,000 people.

This map was primarily created in ArcMap and the small portion in AI. In ArcMap, I first open SouthFlorida.shp and added the SHeet0$.xls sile which I then used the 'Join' tool to combine the census data of the xls file with the South Flrida counties. After joining the two files, I opened the 'Layer Properties' window and selected the 'Symbology' tab. In the 'Symbology' tab, I was able to manipulate the presentation of the population by selecting 'Quantities' and 'Dot Density'. I added the 'Population' field as a symbol so now the data is symbolized on the map. I also manipulated the dot size and unit valve to accurately display the population. To position the dots in the right places on the map, I used the 'Masking' function which allowed me to place the dots only in the UrbanLand.shp file. I created the first part of the legend in ArcMap which was the basic information about the map. The second part of the legend was created in AI. I imported the map into AI and created a new layer for the second part of the legend which shows the low, medium, and high densities of the population. I used the 'Rectangle' tool to create 3 boxes to show the different densities and I also used the 'Ellipses' tool to create the dot density in each box.