Abstract
Since the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic is a global phenomenon, many scientists and research organizations create thematic maps to visualize and understand the spatial spread of the disease and to inform mankind. Nowadays, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and web mapping technologies enable people to create digital maps on demand. This fosters the permanent update of COVID-19 map products, even by non-cartographers, and their publication in news, media and scientific publications. With the ease and speed of map-making, many map creators seem to forget about the fundamental principles of good and easy-to-read thematic choropleth maps, which requires geo-spatial data literacy. Geo-spatial data literacy is an important skill, to be able to judge the reliability of spatial data, and to create ingenuous thematic maps. This contribution intends to make people of disciplines other than those that are map-related aware of the power of thematic maps and how one can create trustworthy thematic maps instead of misleading thematic maps which could, in a worst case, lead to misinterpretation.
Highlights
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and web-mapping technologies play an essential role to provide rapid visualization of the geo-spatial spread of the SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 pandemic (e.g. Zhou et al 2020; Rosenkrantz et al 2020)
The resulting thematic maps from GIS analysis are used for professionals to identify regional hotspots as well as to find geo-spatial strategies against the pandemic
KN - Journal of Cartography and Geographic Information (2020) 70:155–161 is not trained to read thematic maps critically, it is crucial to visualize the pandemic with easy-to-understand choropleth maps
Summary
GIS and web-mapping technologies play an essential role to provide rapid visualization of the geo-spatial spread of the SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 pandemic (e.g. Zhou et al 2020; Rosenkrantz et al 2020). The resulting thematic maps from GIS analysis are used for professionals to identify regional hotspots as well as to find geo-spatial strategies against the pandemic. Those map products are published in news and media for the public. KN - Journal of Cartography and Geographic Information (2020) 70:155–161 is not trained to read thematic maps critically, it is crucial to visualize the pandemic with easy-to-understand choropleth maps. This paper is intended to explain shortcomings of existing COVID-19 map examples and to assist in trustworthy choropleth map creation
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