What is a diagram where geographical areas are distorted based on an attribute's value?

A diagram that distorts geographical areas based on an attribute's value is known as a cartogram. This type of map visually represents data such that the size of each geographic area is scaled according to the value of the attribute being mapped, rather than its actual physical area. This allows for an immediate visual impact and aids in understanding the distribution and scale of the attribute in question, whether it be population, election results, or any other quantifiable data.

For instance, in a population cartogram, countries or regions with larger populations would appear disproportionately larger compared to those with smaller populations, even if their actual land area is much smaller. This method of representation effectively highlights differences in data that may not be as apparent with traditional maps, where area size is always proportionate to land area rather than the represented data.

Other types of maps, such as thematic maps, provide information based on specific themes or subjects but do not alter the size of geographical areas based on data values. Similarly, dot maps represent data using dots to indicate the presence or quantity of a phenomenon without distorting area size, and while a cartograph combines elements of maps and graphs, it does not specifically alter areas in the way cartograms do. Thus, a cartogram is the most precise