Create a Map

Welcome to the American FactFinder Create a Map Tutorial.
In this Tutorial, we will demonstrate how to create and view a thematic map.
After viewing this tutorial, you will be able to create and view a thematic map from a table in American FactFinder.
American FactFinder offers the ability to see geographic patterns in the data by viewing the data on a thematic map.
You can create a thematic map from any table that includes data for more than one location of the same geographic type, for example two or more states.
In this tutorial, we will demonstrate how to create and view a thematic map from a table.
Let's begin with the 2008 Population Estimates Geographic Comparison Table T01.
We will create a map showing the 2008 Population Estimates by state.
To begin, click "Create a Map" on the Actions bar.
A message appears directing you to select a data item to display in map format.
Click on the cell that intersects July 1, 2008 and Alabama.
A pop-up window displays indicating the data values you have selected to map.
In this example, you will create a map showing data by State for the 2008 Population Estimates as of July 1, 2008.
Click "Show Map".
The map displays with the selected theme.
Notice the following:
- The map title, Thematic Map of Population Estimates - July 1, 2008, corresponds to the data cell you mapped.
- Below the map title is the geography type you mapped: by State.
- The Legend shows your data class ranges and the colors displayed on the map that represent those ranges. Each geography on the map is shaded using one of the colors from the five data class ranges.
At this point, you can:
- Pan or zoom on the map;
- Change map colors and transparency;
- Modify the number of data classes or change the classing method;
- Select boundaries and features to display; or
- Create a different thematic map.
For detailed instructions on viewing and modifying a map, refer to the Global Map Tools and Modify a Map tutorials.
To print, bookmark, or download the map, select the appropriate action on the action bar and follow the prompts to save your map for future use.
To create a different thematic map from the same table, select "Create a Different Map". American FactFinder returns you to the table view.
This concludes the Create a Map Tutorial.
In this tutorial, you learned how to create and view a thematic map from a table.
For more information visit American FactFinder at factfinder2.census.gov.

Create a Map Tutorial

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