Week 3 - Data Classification
GIS 3015 L

In this week's lab for Cartographic Skills we delved into Data Classification.  Above you will see a map of Escambia County Florida, which highlights the percentage of Blacks found within the US Census tracts.  We were tasked with highlighting four different classification methods utilizing the same data from the Census.  Utilizing ArcGIS I modified the symbology to reflect the Graduated Colors style found in the Quantities symbology.  Here I was able to modify the different classifications that the Quantities symbology uses.  Doing this I highlight the different ways that data can be shown.  Even though the data has remained constant, the way the data is reflected on the map can visually show a different result.

Also in this week's lab we were asked to isolate which map we thought reflected the data best.  I chose the Natural Breaks classification method.  I feel that this classification method better allows the reader to understand the information and does not leave gaps within the legend that may be confusing to some readers.  I also felt the other classifications did not reflect the data as I thought it should be reflected.  I felt anyone reading this map will be able to quickly determine the percentage of blacks within a tract, and this is the ultimate goal of the map.