What is the primary purpose of a cartogram?

A cartogram is a type of map in which the features of the map are distorted in size and shape to reflect a particular variable, rather than maintaining the geographical accuracy of the area being represented. The primary purpose of a cartogram is to visually convey statistical information by altering the areas of geographic regions proportional to a specific data set, such as population, economic activity, or other quantitative measures. This method allows viewers to more easily understand the significance of data by emphasizing where the most notable differences exist, rather than simply presenting a conventional geographic layout.

For example, in a population cartogram, countries or regions with higher populations will appear larger than those with lower populations, regardless of their actual geographical size. This provides a more intuitive way to assess population distribution or density across various areas at a glance.

Other options focus on specific aspects of geography or data representation but do not encompass the primary function of a cartogram, which is to transform geographic space according to statistical data rather than physical size.