Isohyets

http://www.hko.gov.hk/wxinfo/pastwx/mws201206.htm

Isohyet maps are maps which feature Isohyet lines, which connect points of equal rainfall over a defined time period. Isohyet maps are typically accompanied by colored regions, which help to clarify the different sections of average rainfall totals. This map shows the average rainfall for Hong Kong during the month of June 2012.

Isotachs

http://www.erh.noaa.gov/btv/events/28Oct2008/ua2.php

Isotach maps are maps which feature Isotach lines, which are lines connecting points of wind speed which are the same value. These lines are found in weather maps. As with most other weather maps, detail of the land is usually simplified so that the viewer can clearly see the isotach lines. Usually isotach lines are accompanied by arrows showing the direction of the wind and sometimes colors areas.

Isobars

http://www.weatheronline.co.uk/reports/wxfacts/Isobars-on-surface-maps.htm

Isobars are lines connecting points of equal value in a map. They are often found in weather maps and generally used for displaying pressure variables and changes. In maps using isobars, there usually is not a great deal of detail in the mapping of the land, so that the viewer can clearly see the isobar lines.

LIDAR

http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories/s798b.htm

LIDAR is a high tech sensor which sends lasers out and receives the reflections in order to create a map of an area. It can be used to map lands or even cluttered cities. This is a LIDAR image of Ground Zero just after September 11, 2001.

Doppler Radar Map

http://radar.weather.gov/ridge/Conus/southplains.php

Doppler radar maps are creating by radars which send out signals, which is then reflected back and analyzed by a computer system. This is heavily used in weather to track storm systems. Most doppler maps use a scale of colors which corresponds to the height and thickness of clouds, which includes snow, ice, and rain. The differing levels of colors represent the severity of conditions.

Infrared Aerial Photo Map

http://californiamapsociety.org/mapping/remote.php

Infrared Aerial Photo Maps use infrared photography in order to create greater distinction between different types of objects. It's very useful in mapping cities and forests. Infrared is used in combination with sensors to create more highly detailed and accurate topographic maps. This infrared map shows the Sacramento River Delta.

Cartographic Animation

http://www.atmos.ucla.edu/~fovell/index_OLDSITE.html

Cartographic Animation are a newer form of mapping in which various phenomena are visualized in animated format to actively show changes, movements, and patterns. These maps are highly used in weather applications and earth studies to track things such as hurricanes and tsunamis. This animation shows the movement of the eye of a hurricane over the coast of North Carolina.

Flow Map

http://visual.ly/visualizing-uschina-trade-relationship-across-globe

A flow map intends to show the movement from one location to another. This does not have to be only physical movement, but can also be the exchange of "non-physical" things such as ideas. This map shows the flow of particular areas' exports in contrast with each other.

Statistical Map

http://kids.britannica.com/comptons/art-53617/A-layer-tint-map-shows-the-average-yearly-precipitation-in

A statistical map covers a large category of maps and presents statistical information in a highly simplified manner in order to show variations over distance. The 3 main types of statistical maps are choropleth, proportional symbol, and dot maps. This is a simple statistical map (choropleth) showing average yearly precipitation in Japan.

Cartogram

http://www-personal.umich.edu/~mejn/election/2008/

A cartogram is a type of thematic map. These maps don't intend to show accurate spacial relationships or land mass, but instead aim to distort areas in order to show the proportions of whatever theme the cartogram is covering. This particular cartogram shows the county-level election results of the US in 2008 in terms of Republicans and Democrats, and skews the shape of the US as needed.

Isoline Map

http://regentsprep.org/regents/core/questions/questions.cfm?Course=ESCI&TopicCode=07

An Isoline Map is connects points of equal value and creates lines. These lines then create seperate sections which are then sometimes colored in to make differences more obvious. These maps are often used in weather applications. This particular map shows the levels of rainfall in Virginia.

Proportional Circle Map

http://www.neiu.edu/~tpastaj/391/Assignment%20%232/Assignment_%232.html

Proportional Circle Maps use ratios of circle size to the size of the variable are a type of statistical map. These ratios are often expressed in the accompanying legend. In this map, the circles represent number of Chicago families per district, with smaller circles relating to smaller families and vice versa.

Choropleth Map

https://www.e-education.psu.edu/natureofgeoinfo/book/export/html/1553

A choropleth map is a type of statistical thematic map which focuses on a specific subject, such as population, and uses different colors or patterns in order to reference specific categories of a specific theme. Usually the colors follow progressions, such as light to dark, in order to map quantitative data. For qualitative data, completely different colors may be utilized in order to highlight the distinctions. This particular map uses a light-to-dark color scheme in order to show Hispanic population densities in the US.

Dot Distribution Map

http://udel.edu/~patronea/frec480/proj1/

A dot distribution map is a statistical map which uses dots in order to show the general locations and occurrence rates of particular data, such as crime or pollution. One of the most famous examples of dot distribution mapping is John Snow's map of cholera cases in the London epidemic of 1854. These maps can help users see patterns in events or to help pinpoint a cause of something, such as the cholera epidemic. This dot density map was created as part of a project which maps the US population of 2000, with each dot representing 10,000 people.

Propaganda Map

http://www.learnnc.org/lp/editions/mapping/6434

Propaganda maps include any kind of map which has been created with a bias in order to further a particular political, social, or economic goal, usually supported by a government, organization, or company. These maps usually distort the actual layout of the land in order to make the viewer feel a particular feeling, whether it be nationalism or fear. This map was created in 1952 by R.M. Chapin and published in Time Magazine. It skews the perspective and layout of Europe and shows the Communist USSR as a large dominating threat that looks as if it could very easily swallow up the neighboring European countries.

Hypsometric Map

http://www.esri.com/news/arcuser/0312/making-a-big-splash-in-transboundary-water-resources-management.html

A hypsometric map shows the elevation of terrain through the use of changing colors. These kind of maps fall under the category of topographic maps. Each category of elevation is shown by a particular color. These maps also feature contour lines and sometimes shading. This map shows the elevation changes in the areas of Poland and Slovakia.

PLSS Map

http://www.co.scott.mn.us/RoadsTransport/Roads/Pages/orig_notes.aspx

This PLSS map focuses on Scott County in Minnesota. The PLSS is a system used in the U.S. and covers most states except Texas and the 13 colonies. The system uses rectangles and is based off of an old Roman system of land division.  A township--one 6 square mile rectangle-- is divided into 36 one-square mile sections, and these sections can be divided into even smaller portions. Usually there are markers at each township corner. This particular PLSS has been advanced on its original page and viewers can click on sections and see PDF files of the original PLSS notations. 

Cadastral Map

http://www.nrm.qld.gov.au/property/mapping/dcdata/

This is a cadastral map. Cadastral maps are records of land values and separations. These maps are highly simplified and show only the divisions of land, which is categorized based on color. They can also include precise gps coordinates if needed.  

Thematic Map

http://soils.usda.gov/use/thematic/moist_regimes.html

This is a thematic map. Thematic maps show highly simplified land masses in order to focus on specific subjects, such as crime rates, pollution levels, populations, or in this map's case, types of soil in the U.S. Thematic maps rely on colors or symbols and a legend matching the colors/symbols to specific categories. This map has 9 different categories. Despite the land being heavily simplified, the state and county borders are maintained, since it's important to provide a basis which the viewer can work from as they analyze the map. 

Planimetric Map

http://www.infoplease.com/atlas/state/westvirginia.html

This is a planimetric map. Such maps aim to provide a simpler view of points of interest on the earth's surface, such as primary roads. They can be divided into several layers, the bottom layer being the land itself, and the following layers being whatever information (roads, tourist spots, natural landmarks, etc) is desired. Planimetric maps are completely 2D and lack any information about land altitude changes. This particular map shows the major roads around and inside West Virginia, along with primary and secondary cities and state borders. 

Topographic Map

http://cluster3.lib.berkeley.edu/EART/tour/topo.html

This is an example of a topographic map. This particular map is a Swedish map created between 1957 and 1979. The main characteristic of topographic maps is that they focus on showing high detail and changes in elevation. This map shows changes in elevation by using contour lines and shading. While this map focuses on sharing the physical layout of the land, some topographic maps are used to show cultural changes through shading and contour lines as well.