The rise of the cartograms

A cartogram is a map in which some thematic mapping variable – such as travel time, population, or Gross National Product – is substituted for land area or distance. The geometry or space of the map is distorted in order to convey the information of this variable. 

 At their best they can not only communicate information highly effectively, but they can also be a beautiful art form. See for example on the following link from 'The Map Room'- a weblog about maps. It shows the fundamentally urban/rural split between the Clinton/Trump vote. It especially shows the intensity of the vote for Trump outside the main conurbations.

http://www.maproomblog.com/2016/11/u-s-presidential-election-cartogram/