Cartogram vs. Diagram — What's the Difference?

A cartogram (also called a value-area map or an anamorphic map, the latter common among German-speakers) is a thematic map of a set of features (countries, provinces, etc.), in which their geographic size is altered to be directly proportional to a selected ratio-level variable, such as travel time, population, or GNP. Geographic space itself is thus warped, sometimes extremely, in order to visualize the distribution of the variable. It is one of the most abstract types of map; in fact, some forms may more properly be called diagrams.

A diagram is a symbolic representation of information using visualization techniques. Diagrams have been used since ancient times on walls of caves, but became more prevalent during the Enlightenment.

A map that presents statistical data, especially by geometrically distorting the regions being represented.

A simplified drawing showing the appearance, structure, or workings of something; a schematic representation

(dated) A map used to indicate geographically-bound statistical information, typically region-by-region values of a given variable, for example by using different shadings for different ranges of values.

Represent (something) in graphic form

A map-like graph where the relative areas of graph regions are proportional not to the relative areas of the land regions they represent, but rather to another quantitative variable, such as population or gross domestic product.

A plan, sketch, drawing, or outline designed to demonstrate or explain how something works or to clarify the relationship between the parts of a whole.

A map showing geographically, by shades or curves, statistics of various kinds; a statistical map.

(Mathematics) A graphic representation of an algebraic or geometric relationship.

A chart or graph.

To indicate or represent by or as if by a diagram.

A plan, drawing, sketch or outline to show how something works, or show the relationships between the parts of a whole.

A graph or chart.

(category theory) A functor from an index category to another category. The objects and morphisms of the index category need not have any internal substance, but rather merely outline the connective structure of at least some part of the diagram's codomain. If the index category is J and the codomain is C, then the diagram is said to be "of type J in C".

(transitive) To represent or indicate something using a diagram.

(UK) To schedule the operations of a locomotive or train according to a diagram.

A figure or drawing made to illustrate a statement, or facilitate a demonstration; a plan.

Any simple drawing made for mathematical or scientific purposes, or to assist a verbal explanation which refers to it; a mechanical drawing, as distinguished from an artistical one.

To put into the form of a diagram.

A drawing intended to explain how something works; a drawing showing the relation between the parts

Make a schematic or technical drawing of that shows how things work or how they are constructed