Example: Querying Country statistics

Using the data from the Shape file example, a variety of queries can be constructed. The examples below use the new CAST and CONVERT features of SQL Server 2008 to 'format' HEX characters for colorizing the results.
Two-thirds of the world's population

Top 10 by population

/* Shade countries by population (solid red is highest) */
DECLARE @max FLOAT       -- Find the highest value
SELECT  @max = MAX(pop_cntry) FROM cntry00

SELECT TOP 10       -- Choose how many to view
  long_name
, geog
, '#' + CONVERT (VARCHAR(MAX)),
  CONVERT (VARBINARY(MAX), CAST (ROUND ((pop_cntry/@max * 255), 0) AS TINYINT) )
  , 2) + 'FF0000' AS [Fill]    -- set alpha/opacity and RED color
, '0' AS [Thickness]
FROM cntry00
ORDER BY pop_cntry DESC

Shape tab
Two-thirds of the world's population
Map tab
Two-thirds of the world's population
Of course, the population of Alaska is somewhat overstated at this level of granularity!

All countries by population

/* Shade countries by population (solid red is highest) */
DECLARE @max FLOAT       -- Find the highest value
SELECT  @max = MAX(pop_cntry) FROM cntry00

SELECT        -- View all
  long_name
, geog
, '#' + CONVERT (VARCHAR(MAX)),
  CONVERT (VARBINARY(MAX), CAST (ROUND ((pop_cntry/@max * 255), 0) AS TINYINT) )
  , 2) + 'FF0000' AS [Fill]    -- set alpha/opacity and RED color
, '#88FF0000' AS [Color]       -- set outline color
, '0.25' AS [Thickness]
FROM cntry00
ORDER BY pop_cntry DESC

Shape tab
World population saturation
Map tab
World population saturation

Landlocked countries

/* Shade countries by 'landlocked' status */
SELECT long_name
, geog
, CASE WHEN Landlocked = 'Y' THEN
  '#FF00FF00'   -- landlocked are green
  ELSE
  '#FF0000FF'   -- seaside are blue
  END AS [Fill]
, '0' AS [Thickness]
FROM cntry00

Shape tab
Landlocked countries