Conclusion

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This working paper shows that the ecumene concept is well-established in the field of geography. It also provides an historic overview on Statistics Canada's use of the population and agricultural ecumenes since the 1976 Census. More importantly, however, it reveals that the application of an ecumene to census thematic maps can greatly reduce misunderstandings or visual bias about the spatial extent of statistical distributions.

We conclude by citing two very eloquently worded precepts, illustrating that great care is required to produce effective census thematic maps.

"…a map is an ideal presentation device. A well designed map is convincing because it implies authenticity. People believe maps. It is this general acceptance of maps…that makes maps a powerful presentation device, but one that must be constructed and used with care." (MacEachren 1994, p. 9)

"The census was made for mapping. It contains more spatially referenced information than any other social survey and allows yet more (geographical) information to be meaningfully mapped by providing a base against which this can be done. If we are to do justice to the representation of the people we are claiming to show, then great care is needed in the design of these images." (Dorling 1993, p. 179)