Canadian Postal Code Map, Choropleth

A map of Canada shows a comparison of population density, at the level of the FSA (1st 3 digits of the Postal Code).

The following steps demonstrate how to create a new choropleth map of Canada. We are using the dataset Canadian Census, constructed from the files canada_census_population_dwellings.csv and ca-postal-codes.csv, and joined of the fields fsa and Postal Code, respectively. See Canadian Census. Also, see Importing Data and Creating Datasets.

Tip. Remember that to map province information, the dimension must be recognized as a Geo Type. See Specifying Geographic Fields.
  1. Start a new visual based on the Canadian Census dataset; see Creating Visuals.
  2. In the visuals menu, find and click Map (row 5, column 1).

    selecting map chart type
  3. Note that the shelves of the visual changed. They are now X, Y, Geo, Measures, Drill, Tooltips, and Filters.

    The only mandatory shelf for map visuals is Geo.

    shelves of map visual type
  4. Populate the shelves from the Data menu:

    • Under Dimensions, select Postal Code from the table ca_postal_codes, and add it to the Geo shelf.
    • Under Measures, select Population 2011 from table canada_census_population_dwellings, and add it to the Measures shelf .
  5. Specify the use of the Canada Map View in the Settings > Map interface; see Map View.

  6. Click Refresh Visual.

  7. [Optional] Alias the fields as necessary; see Alias.

  8. [Optional] Enable panning and zooming option, as described in Customizing Zoom.
  9. [Optional] Change the color palette, as described in Change Color Palette.
  10. Click (pencil icon) next to the title of the visualization to edit it, and enter the new name.

  11. Change the title to Canadian 2011 Population - Postal Code Choropleth.
  12. At the top left corner of the Visual Designer, click Save.

Your visual should look something like this:

Canadian Postal Codes choropleth map