A Cartogram is a thematic map. In a Cartogram, actual land area or distance is purposefully distorted as a way to represent the mapping variable being depicted. As the blurb for this specific example explains, the area of each state in this map is directly proportional to the number of electoral college votes for that state. The map also includes an inset of the geographic map of the United States for comparison. Furthermore, on the bottom of the map, the Cartograms for the previous three presidential elections are shown to represent the change in "allegiances" for the states.
