Diagrams (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Geography): Revision Note

Flow Diagrams

• Flow diagrams are used to show the movements or flows of people, goods, or materials

• Desire lines are used to show the general direction of movement on a base map using lines

• More detailed information is shown in flow line diagrams

  • The lines can be used to show quantity (by the thickness of the line)

Pictograms

• Pictograms are a way of displaying data using symbols or diagrams drawn to scale

• Useful way of showing data if accuracy is not too important and data is discrete

• Years do not need to be continuous

• Symbols do not need to be whole but can represent a proportion

• A key is needed to show if the total number of objects or events that image represents exceeds one

How to read a pictogram

• Step 1: Read the problem carefully and identify the specific information requested from the pictogram

• Step 2: Count the symbols corresponding to the desired information and report the count

Venn Diagrams

• Venn diagrams can be used to visualise and compare information

• A Venn diagram is an illustration which uses overlapping circles

• They can be used to:

  • Illustrate similarities and differences for example between urban and rural areas

  • Show relationships between sets of data

Proportional Symbols

• The symbols on the map are drawn in proportion to the variable represented

• Usually, a circle or square is used but it could be an image

• Can be used to show a range of data, for example, population, wind farms and electricity they generate, traffic or pedestrian flows