Changes in the population distribution in Poland in the years 1946–2012

This paper presents a method of development concerning maps of changes in the population distribution in Poland after the Second World War (1946–2012). The phenomenon is presented by means of isolinear maps based of the population density index. The resulting maps illustrate the population distribution in intervals of approximately 10 years. Moreover, the changes themselves are presented in balance maps corresponding to periods between the selected dates. The maps highlight spatial changes in the population distribution in Poland. The key task was to develop a method of preparing maps providing an objective and comparable image of the population distribution. This was obtained by means of the isoline method with the application of a multipoint representation of administrative units (basic fields) differing in terms of area and shape. Comparability was also achieved through the appropriate preparation of standardised map legends (colour scales and isoline interval). The maps were prepared in scales of 1:8,000,000 (state maps) and 1:400,000 (change/balance maps).