What is Map coloring?
[[File:Easter Island map-en.svg|thumb|Colors are used to show the altitude, on [[Easter Island]]]] [[File:Map of USA with state names.svg|thumb|Map of the [[United States]]. Colors are used to show the different states.]] [[File:2004US election map.svg|thumb|Results of the US Presidential election in 2004. Colors are used to show the amount of support each candidate received.]] '''Map coloring''' is a term used for two different concepts: In [[geography]] and [[mapmaking]] it is used to say that colors are assigned to certain areas on a map. Examples of this are coloring that show the countries or divisions of a country, but also to visualize other data, for example the [[altitude]]. The other use is in [[mathematics]]: There it is used to describe the problem of finding the minimal number of colors needed to color a given map. == In mapmaking == [[Colour|Color]] is very useful to show different features on a [[map]]. Typical uses of color include showing different countries, different temperatures, or different kinds of roads. Displaying the information in different colors can affect the understanding or feel of the map. In many cultures, certain colors have certain meanings. For example, [[red]] can mean danger, [[green]] can mean nature, and [[blue]] can mean water, which can be confused with the [[sea]]. Mapmakers may also use colors that are related to what they are mapping. For example, when mapping where it [[Rain|rains]] more or less, they may use different shades of blue. For a map of [[Wildfire|wildfires]], they may use yellows, reds, and oranges. Carefully choosing colors is important so the map is easy to read and understand. Also, the mapmaker must take into account that many people have [[Color blindness|impaired color vision,]] and colors must be used such that these readers can see their differences. == Related pages == *[[Four color theorem]] {{-}} {{stub}} [[Category:Maps]] [[Category:Graph theory]]