Great Example of Thematic Map

This is a perfect example of how powerful a thematic map is for communicating findings.  This map - as simple as it is - makes this article meaningful.  Read the article and imagine they didn't include a map.  Would you have in your mind where the most impacted areas are? 

When you read the line, "for 412 of these counties the risk of water shortages will be "extremely high," I bet you looked over at the map.  This is because maps have become integrated into our schema of information gathering.  Anyone who consumes data for your company is going to expect a map, too.