Distribution maps indicate the distribution of any particular feature in an area. Distribution maps may be qualitative such as those representing vegetation or soil of a region, or quantitative, i.e., it may be representing population.
The distribution of population may be shown by dots where each dot may represent a given number of persons. A population map of India may be prepared by a dot method where each dot represents 1 million persons. Likewise, economic data like production of crops, minerals, etc. may be shown by distribution maps.
Distributions of continuous variables like temperature, pressure, rainfall, etc. are represented by lines of equal value such as Isotherm, Isobar, and Isohyets respectively.
Distribution maps help us to understand the distribution of different elements of he physical and biological environment in an area. From such maps it is pole to infer the relation between climatic conditions, soil type and land us in a region.
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The study of thematic maps develops an understanding between the regional and periodical changes in a region.