GEOG 1131: Introduction to Human Geography

Practical Class- Choropleth Maps

1. The table below shows the 2004 population and area size for the various
parishes in Jamaica.

Parish Population(‘000) Area size (km²)

Clarendon 241 1196
Hanover 68 450
KSA 665 453
Manchester 189 830
Portland 82 814
St. Ann 170 1213
St. Catherine 491 1192
St. Elizabeth 149 1212
St. James 179 595
St. Mary 114 611
St. Thomas 93 743
Trelawny 75 875
Westmoreland 142 807

i. Obtain the population density for the various parishes and construct a
Choropleth map of Jamaica depicting the population densities.

2. Table 2 shows the percentage of land area covered by forest in Jamaica for 1992.
 Parish % forest, 1992
Clarendon 10.91
Hanover 11.62
KSA 32.87
Manchester 18.30
Portland 23.09
St. Ann 26.62
St. Catherine 15.71
St. Elizabeth 16.51
St. James 21.72
St. Mary 8.2
St. Thomas 23.09
Trelawny 41.27
Westmoreland 12.82

ii. Provide a Choropleth map showing the pattern of forest cover.

iii. Describe the patterns shown on each map, and explain the relationship
between both.
iv. State the main advantages and flaws associated with the use of choropleths by
citing specific examples from the maps drawn.

Rose-Ann Smith