Abstract: A system and method for partitioning a map into a plurality of disjoint regions each representing a respective continuous bounded geographic region, comprising: receiving a data set representing a geographic region having geographic variations, and a partitioning objective; partitioning the data so that the partitioning objective is met, using a distinct condition, to produce a plurality of partitioned geographic regions, dependent on at least the geographic variations and characteristics of the data and the initial condition. A plurality of initial conditions or distinctness criteria applied to the partitioning as the distinct criterion, to produce a plurality of different maps. The plurality of maps may then be compared according to a fitness criterion.