Map Critique

First the bad map.  This map here is just offensive to the eyes.  While reading the web page that accompanied this map, I found that the colors mean nothing, which makes it worse.  More than that, the map needs to be simplified to make it usable.  Overall, a useless map for all but the most basic of directions.

This is my pick for a good map.  It is a map of Sri Lanka land use.  It has a legend that makes finding the information easy and quick.  There is very little "mapcrap" outside of the publishing information (which is arguably not "mapcrap").  It gives the user the full picture, is properly simplified, and contains the contrasting color hues that do not misrepresent the information.

Mental Mapping

You can tell that I am a north-westerner at heart.  It's really all about the weather.  I don't mind the rain, but I really dislike a lot of hot weather, hence the south being green.  I'm keeping the central-east portion of America open.  I understand that the area is just beautiful and the weather mimics the north-west, with less rain.  California is orange as well merely because of family, but the tax system will likely keep me out of there.

Test

Yup, still testing...