Exercise 5. Historic trends in a spatial pattern

Instructions:

1. For this assignment you will produce a time series of three maps that demonstrate the changes in the distribution pattern of a socio-economic factor of your choice over time.
2. Write a brief description of the changing spatial patterns.
3. Write an explanation for the changes you found.

You may choose to look at the particular phenomenon at one of two scales:

• within Virginia at the county level, or
• Virginia as a whole: the Commonwealth compared to other states in the US.

You may produce qualitative maps (mapping differences in kind) or quantitative maps (differences in amount or degree). If you make quantitative maps, you may choose either the choropleth method or the dot map method. However, all three maps need to be the same type. Try to keep all units, data classes, and symbols the same on three maps. This will help the reader make accurate comparisons.

Data sources:

• Select Census Year you are interest in from list
• Select Variable
• Browse Data
• Select State of Virginia
• View Counties

The best printed sources of data include the Virginia Counties and Cities Data Book (HA685.V57), Statistical Abstract of Virginia (HA686.T43), and Virginia Vital Statistics (RA167.B132). These can be found in the Reference collection in McConnell Library.

Some important considerations:

2. State and county boundaries change over time, as do county names. You may need to use different base maps.

An excellent source of base maps for Virginia is Atlas of County Boundary Changes in Virginia, 1634-1895 by Michael F. Doran, 1987. A copy is in the Reference section of McConnell Library (G1291.F7 D6 1987). I also have copy in my office.

Also, check out the following on-line resources:

• Former Virginia counties that are now part of West Virginia:
  list of names
  1850 map
• Virginia counties that no longer exist
  list of names
• Animated map of formation of the states
• Animated map of formation of counties in the US