Michigan Statewide Data Examples

This map illustrates the spatial variability of average annual temperatures in Michigan. The coolest region in the northwestern Upper Peninsula around Keweenaw Bay has average annual temperatures between 39^o and 40^oF. The warmest areas of the state in the southwestern and southeastern corners of the Lower Peninsula exhibit average annual temperatures between 49^o and 50^oF. The cool spot at the tip of the mitt (medium blue color) has mean annual temperatures between 41^o and 42^oF. This type of spatial display is called an isoline map; lines that connect places of equal value or magnitude (in this case average annual temperature). This type of display is only appropriate for continuous data types (everywhere in Michigan has a temperature). Data may also be discontinuous or discrete (e.g. the number of pigs or cows), and isoline presentations are not appropriate for these types of data.