Research on the Application of Face Symbol in Thematic Map Making

Currently, map symbols that represent multivariable data sets in thematic map are simple and not good at combined using, they can´t satisfy the needs of displaying multiple-index data in mapping process. In this paper, face symbols are used to visualize multiple-variable data sets. Firstly, it analyzes the development of face symbol, then summarizes the steps and rules to design face symbol. At last, it compares the application effect of face symbol and conventional statistics symbol. The results show that face symbol represents multiple-variable data better in thematic map.