Cartograms Attribute maps focus on the location of specific information or features.
Distribution maps focus on the spatial variation of features, data, or themes.
Both types of maps are qualitative, i.e., they do not show magnitude of phenomena just its location or distribution through symbolization of nominal data. Symbology may be intuitive or defined by a legend or both. Cultural context may define the use of symbols and how one perceives the meaning of a symbol. We use symbols and icons everyday to locate rest rooms, read traffic signs, and on our computer screens. Remember the goal of symbology and mapping in general is to make complex data understandable.