What type of map would likely show population density using different shades?

A choropleth map is specifically designed to represent data values over specific areas using varying shades or colors. In the case of population density, different shades can indicate different levels of density, allowing users to quickly visualize and interpret how population is distributed across regions. This type of map effectively communicates variations in the data by assigning colors or shades to ranges of values, which is ideal for demographic representations.

While thematic maps might also showcase specific themes or subjects and can include various types of data, choropleth maps are a subset of thematic maps that are particularly useful for displaying quantitative data like population density. Road maps, on the other hand, focus on transportation networks and do not convey information about population density. Physical maps emphasize geographical features such as terrain and elevation rather than demographic data. Therefore, when looking to visualize population density specifically, a choropleth map is the most appropriate choice.