http://idi.kennesaw.edu/it7113/


https://www.edocr.com/v/npapy5k4/jgzheng/data-maps

Data Maps
Location-Based Data Visualizations
IT 7113 Data Visualization
http://idi.kennesaw.edu/it7113/
This lecture notes is hosted at https://www.edocr.com/v/npapy5k4/jgzheng/data-maps
J.G. Zheng
2017 - 2025
Overview
• Location intelligence and map
• Basics of data maps: three major elements
– Location data
– Base map
– Data representation (layers)
• Major data map types
Location intelligence is an analytical capability that relates to
geographic or other types of locational contexts of business data. The
analysis based on this data can provide an additional aspect of
business insights. Naturally, visualizing this data in a location-based
context (map) has also gained popularity in many analytics and data
exploration scenarios.
In this module, we will cover the following main points:

http://searchbusinessanalytics.techtarget.com/definition/location-intelligence-LI


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQpBUn0nFq0


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ri5HyHp5-_I


https://www.esri.com/news/arcuser/1012/files/morethanamap.pdf

Location Intelligence
•
Spatial information, commonly known as “location", relates to the nature of “where”.
•
Location intelligence (LI) is a business intelligence (BI) and analytics capability that relates
geographic and location contexts to business data.
– Location Intelligence organizes business and geographically referenced data to reveal the relationship of
location to people, events, transactions, facilities, and assets.
– http://searchbusinessanalytics.techtarget.com/definition/location-intelligence-LI
•
Like business intelligence, location intelligence supports analysis and decision making. But for
the past 20 years, these two data-centric disciplines have forged independent but parallel
paths. Only now are they beginning to converge. The explosion of mobile and IoT devices
facilitates the integration of business and location intelligence.
– The first step toward converging location and business intelligence is plotting business metrics on a map.
– The next step is the interactive process of location driven visual analytics, utilizing more sophisticated
mapping layers and data presentation (even on three-dimensional surface, with the help of VR/AR
technologies). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQpBUn0nFq0
– Also used for real time monitoring https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ri5HyHp5-_I
– https://www.esri.com/news/arcuser/1012/files/morethanamap.pdf
•
Location-based analysis
– Coverage analysis, distance analysis, space time analysis
•
Location based visualization (map) is the base for location intelligence and also plays an
important role in data visualization.

https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/location-intelligence-market

Location Intelligence Market
• The global location intelligence market size was valued at USD
10.6 billion in 2019 and is expected to grow at a compound
annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.2% over the forecast period.
• Growth factors
– Portable navigation devices, web-mapping services, and
smartphone applications
– Increasing investments in IoT, growing penetration of smart devices,
and network infrastructure (e.g. 5G)
https://www.grandviewr
esearch.com/industry-
analysis/location-
intelligence-market

http://sandhill.com/article/iot-and-the-growing-use-of-location-features-in-business-intelligence-software/


https://www.tableau.com/learn/whitepapers/government-mapping


https://www.forbes.com/forbesinsights/pitney_bowes_power_of_place/

Location-based Visualizations
• Location-based visualizations, or commonly referred to as data maps, has been
growing in the data visualization applications.
– All of the leading front-end BI tools support interactive maps.
– A 2015 survey http://sandhill.com/article/iot-and-the-growing-use-of-location-features-in-
business-intelligence-software/
•
finds “map-based visualization of information as the top priority, and more than 95 percent of
respondents rank it as at least somewhat important.”
• more than 60 percent report that the functionality for layered visualizations is “very important” or
“critical” for their organization.
• Why maps
– Visualizations are strong in integrating multiple aspects of elements, including background
and supplemental context, and provide an overall perception.
– Location as a context is visualized as familiar maps or areas, and corresponding data
items are mapped to the space.
– Map is a major way to provide background and context information related to locations.
Maps provide context … Quickly associate data with familiar position/location – added
familiarity increase comprehension. (Tableau “The Power of Where”
https://www.tableau.com/learn/whitepapers/government-mapping)
– Maps are widely recognized and understood—even by nontechnical professionals—which
helps make the data represented more accessible and understood. (Forbes “The Power of
Place” https://www.forbes.com/forbesinsights/pitney_bowes_power_of_place/)
Compare These Two Visualizations
Bar charts for states can quickly
identify the magnitude of the
values, but lack of sense of
location.
The map can give a sense
of location context and
show regional patterns.

https://insights.sustainability.google/


http://boston.maps.arcgis.com/home/index.html


https://trends.google.com/trends/story/election2016


https://opendata.atlantaregional.com/


https://neighborhoodnexus.org/maps-and-data/maps/


https://citygeographics.org/


https://grantland.com/features/kirk-goldsberry-introduces-new-way-understand-nba-best-scorers/


https://public.tableau.com/profile/osmguy#!/vizhome/2015WorldSeriesTicketPrices/2015WorldSeriesTicketPrices


https://www.crisisready.io/


https://ai.googleblog.com/2020/09/the-technology-behind-our-recent.html


http://metrocosm.com/


https://www.tableau.com/learn/articles/interactive-map-and-data-visualization-examples

Map Usages
• Maps are widely applicable in many industries, such as retail, logistics, hospital, government, public service,
weather, sports, fleet management, delivery and logistics, flights, rides share, public transportation etc.
– Environment
•
https://insights.sustainability.google/
– City planning/management
•
http://boston.maps.arcgis.com/home/index.html
– Election
•
https://trends.google.com/trends/story/election2016
– Explore the city and region
•
https://opendata.atlantaregional.com/
•
https://neighborhoodnexus.org/maps-and-data/maps/
•
https://citygeographics.org/
– Sports analytics
•
https://grantland.com/features/kirk-goldsberry-introduces-new-way-understand-nba-best-scorers/
– Space management: seating, parking, room/building
•
https://public.tableau.com/profile/osmguy#!/vizhome/2015WorldSeriesTicketPrices/2015WorldSeriesTicketPrices
• Maps are also used in real time event monitoring and forecasting
– Crisis management: https://www.crisisready.io/
– Natural phenomenon like storm, hurricane, flood, etc. https://ai.googleblog.com/2020/09/the-technology-behind-our-
recent.html
–
Transportation, delivery, logistics tracking
•
See more examples of data with maps
–
http://metrocosm.com
–
https://www.tableau.com/learn/articles/interactive-map-and-data-visualization-examples

http://searchbusinessanalytics.techtarget.com/feature/Bringing-location-intelligence-software-to-the-masses

Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
• The idea of mapping data isn't new. Geographic
information systems (GIS) have been around
for decades, but they existed for a particularly
limited scope.
• They required special training and were rarely
used by mainstream companies because they
lacked a clear-cut business case and workers
needed expertise.
• http://searchbusinessanalytics.techtarget.com/f
eature/Bringing-location-intelligence-software-
to-the-masses
Data Visualization with Maps
Three major elements in
map-based data
visualization:
1. Types of location data
2. Base map (background
map)
3. Data representations
on the map (as map
layers)
Two broad categories of data
maps based on these three
elements
1. Geo data map
• Geo location
• Geo base map
• Data associated with
geo location
2. Contextual data map
• Contextual location
• Contextual base map
• Data associated with
contextual location
1. Types of Location Data
• Most common business uses of spatial
information deal with locations on the earth, but
spatial is not constrained to a geographic
location.
• There are basically four types of location data
1) Direct/precise geo location coordinates
2) Named geo location data
3) Contextual (relative) location data
4) Abstract location (position) data
• Illustrational representation of a logical space, using X,Y
coordinates
• Examples: process, network, structure, etc.
Abstract location data
is not our focus in this
module or this class.

https://www.gps-coordinates.net/


https://gisgeography.com/latitude-longitude-coordinates


https://maps.co/

1) Geo Location Coordinates
• Geo location coordinates, or
GPS coordinates, are a pair
of numbers based on
longitude and latitude
values.
• Example
• Get coordinates at
– https://www.gps-
coordinates.net
• See more details at
– https://gisgeography.com/latit
ude-longitude-coordinates
A data map with data items mapped as pins
using geo coordinates. Image from Map Marker
https://maps.co

https://kb.tableau.com/articles/howto/address-level-mapping


https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/where-your-state-gets-its-money/


http://www.270towin.com/

2) Named Geo Location Data
•
Locations are based on geo space, but they do not use
GPS coordinates but names or labels that can be mapped.
•
These locations need to be translated into the GPS
coordinates system, or other types of coordinates of an
illustrational map.
– A visualization tool may be aware of these locations and map
them automatically (with geo code mapping built-in).
– Or use external tools or services
• Examples
– Address (Tableau cannot map this level see
https://kb.tableau.com/articles/howto/address-level-mapping )
– Standard geo areas
• Continent, island, river, lake, etc.
• Country, state, zip, city, school district, voting region, etc.
– Custom grouping of standard areas
– Non-standard
• Community, land use zones
• Parking lot
•
Land regions (park, airport, campus)
• Road, path, railway
https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/
where-your-state-gets-its-money/
http://www.270towin.com
Tableau supported
location types
How do organizations use geo location data?
Where to get location data?

https://public.tableau.com/en-us/s/gallery/seasons-nba-shots

3) Contextual Location Data
• Contextual location data is based on
relative positions in a limited confined
region
– usually independent of the geo space
• These data are usually visualized in map-
like illustrations.
• Locations are often coded as X,Y
coordinates for the mapping process
– Mappings need to provided by the designer
or a third party.
• Examples:
– Building, room, shelf, stadium, court, fields,
human body, etc.
– AR Viewport (a space with real world
context of what a human or device sees.
Often used in Augmented Reality).
https://public.tableau.com/en-
us/s/gallery/seasons-nba-shots
2. Base Map
• Base map is the underlying background layer that provides the
location context.
– A base map should provide enough contextual information about the
space/location but does not interfere with the thematic data layer
• Types of location context (base map)
Base map type
Map construction
Location data
Description
Geospatial map
(geo map)
Geo map service,
or an image
Geo
coordinates or
logical geo data
• Visualize geo location related data directly on real world maps,
utilizing GPS coordinates, or relying on a system to translate
GPS coordinates.
Geo chart (geo
shape map)
Illustrational
diagram, shape
Logical geo
data
• These are conceptually related to geo location but presented in
more abstract shapes, rather than accurate geo locations.
• Sometimes they can even go symbolic: tile grid map
Tile grid map
Illustrational
diagram - regions
use standard shape
and sizes
Logical geo
data or non geo
data
• The base map is made of symbolic areas (usually regular
shapes like square, circle, hexagon, etc.) that abstractly
represent locations.
Contextual map
Real spatial or
object image; or
illustrational
diagram
Non geo data
• Any data relevant to the positioning in a particular confined
context or space, e.g., building, campus, mall, stadium,
keyboard, or just a logical space (like a batting/hitting area) etc.
• Again, these maps can be real-world imaging based or
illustrational diagram based.

https://observablehq.com/collection/@d3/d3-geo-projection


https://communityhealthmaps.nlm.nih.gov/2017/10/23/mapping-south-floridas-king-tides/

1) Geo Map
• Geo maps use realistic world
images
• Some commonly used sub-
types of geo maps
• basic landform, topographic
map, terrain, political,
transportation view, and
satellite image.
• The projection of sphere
images onto a 2D space
needs some techniques.
• different ways of earth
projection on 2D
https://observablehq.com/coll
ection/@d3/d3-geo-projection
https://communityhealthmaps.nlm.nih.gov/2017/10/23/
mapping-south-floridas-king-tides/
Geo map base map can also have
satellite image layer to provide
more and richer contexts.

http://luminocity3d.org/WorldCity


http://qonnections2016-charts.qlikcloud.com/57279cd9c22f280100294eaa/chart.html

Geo Map Styles/Layers
http://luminocity3d.org/WorldCity
http://qonnections2016-
charts.qlikcloud.com/57279cd9
c22f280100294eaa/chart.html
Geo map base map can be just a plain
map with minimum landform features. In
this example, basically land/water lines.
Geo map base map can also
provide basic political regions
(borders, etc.) as contexts.

https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/maps_mapsources_mapbox.htm

Geo Map Service
• Geo maps are often provided
by a specialized map
service, such as MapBox,
Google Maps, etc.
– Tableau uses MapBox
https://help.tableau.com/curren
t/pro/desktop/en-
us/maps_mapsources_mapbo
x.htm
• These professional service
provide abundant map
features and layers.

https://developers.google.com/chart/interactive/docs/gallery/geochart


http://www.citylab.com/politics/2014/04/2-very-different-migrations-driving-growth-us-cities/8873/

2) Geo Charts
• A geo chart basically resembles a geo map, but it is not based on geo location
coordinates.
– Continents, countries, or other types of regions are represented by shapes, with varied
level of details. To certain extreme, the shapes may even utilize standard one-size shapes
– see the tile grid map.
• The generation of this kind of base map does not need special GIS software
–
It may use a shape definition file, language, a just a static image.
• The mapping of data is more based on custom coordinates mapping instead of
direct geo coordinates mapping
https://developers.google.com/chart/interactive/docs/gallery/geochart
http://www.citylab.com/politics/2014/04/2-very-
different-migrations-driving-growth-us-cities/8873/

https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/where-your-state-gets-its-money/


https://forumone.com/ideas/good-data-visualization-practice-tile-grid-maps-0


http://blog.apps.npr.org/2015/05/11/hex-tile-maps.html

3) Tile Grid Map
• Tile grid maps abstractly use simplified symbols (tiles) to
represent geo regions
– just like geo charts, but even more abstract and less accurate.
– Purely representational, least accurate
• Common use cases
– Eliminate the Alaska effect on US maps
– Need to standardize places of irregular shape and different
sizes
– Provide a more modern look
• Not ideal when
– Geographical precision is important
https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/
where-your-state-gets-its-money/
Key readings about tiled grid map:
• https://forumone.com/ideas/good-data-visualization-
practice-tile-grid-maps-0
• http://blog.apps.npr.org/2015/05/11/hex-tile-maps.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Map_projection


https://observablehq.com/collection/@d3/d3-geo-projection


https://www.tableau.com/about/blog/2017/1/viz-whiz-hex-tile-maps-64713


https://www.edocr.com/v/1a0dbprj/jgzheng/custom-data-map

Why Tiles?
• Map project distortion
– https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Map_projection
– https://observablehq.com/collection/@d3/d3-geo-projection
• Tiny states are hard to be visualized
Alaska effect in
Mercator
projection
States are now
represented in
shapes with
equal sizes
https://www.tableau.com/about/blog/2017/1/viz-whiz-
hex-tile-maps-64713
See more details about tile grid maps
in module 10 custom data map

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/27587041/the-absolute-best-shooters-nba-decade


https://public.tableau.com/profile/stanke#!/vizhome/HackyourMNTwinsTickets/TicketHack


https://www.edocr.com/v/1a0dbprj/jgzheng/custom-data-map


http://fatalities.safer63and881.com/#highway


https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/16954858/how-andy-murray-took-milos-raonic-become-wimbledon-champion


http://public.tableau.com/profile/datavizard#!/vizhome/MLBBatterHotColdZones/BatterHotCold

4) Contextual Map
• Contextual maps do not use geo location data and
the area is smaller or confined in a specific place.
• Examples of local contextual spaces
– Sports playing court/field
• Especially used in sports, like tennis, basketball, soccer,
etc.
•
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/27587041/the-
absolute-best-shooters-nba-decade
– Space/seating utilization
• Building, mall, park, stadium
(https://public.tableau.com/profile/stanke#!/vizhome/Hacky
ourMNTwinsTickets/TicketHack), hospital, classroom,
airplane, parking
– Space or layout of smaller objects like keyboards,
screens, etc.
– Open air space like bat hitting areas
• Contextual base maps can have two styles
– Abstract diagrams (illustrational map): Illustrational
maps simplify map details and use symbols to
represent map objects. The goal is to illustrate relative
positioning rather than accuracy.
– More realistic, based on actual photo or image
See more details about contextual map in
module 10 custom data map.
Originally from
http://fatalities.s
afer63and881.c
om/#highway
https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/16954858/how-andy-murray-
took-milos-raonic-become-wimbledon-champion
http://public.tableau.com/p
rofile/datavizard#!/vizhome
/MLBBatterHotColdZones/
BatterHotCold

https://www.qlik.com/blog/data-visualization-foundations-mapping

3. Data Representations
• There are basically three basic forms of visual elements
on a map
a. Point: the data value is associated with point on the map
b. Area: the data value is associated with a polygon that
covers a region
c. Line/flow: the data value is associated with a path
connecting more than one point
• These elements are associated with selected measures
to represent values, using common visual properties
such as size, color, etc. (see SCOPeS visual properties),
or even a secondary chart.
• Visual elements can be arranged in layers (overlapped,
or toggled to show/hide independently)
Key reading:
https://www.qlik.com/blog/data-visualization-foundations-mapping

http://luminocity3d.org/WorldCity

a. Point Based Mapping
• Locations are represented as points on the map, based on geo
coordinates
– Usually represents smaller but many locations
– Data values are represented by properties associated with the point
– Can use more visual variables for more data dimensions, like
shape, color, size, texture, etc. – size: proportional symbol map
– Sometimes points are charts themselves
• Major types of point-based map
– Proportional symbol map (bubble map)
– Dot density map
– 3D prism map
– Clustered point - a point representing a larger area
http://luminocity3d.org/WorldCity

https://www.axismaps.com/guide/proportional-symbols


http://www.citylab.com/politics/2014/04/2-very-different-migrations-driving-growth-us-cities/8873/


https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/08/12/us/2020-census-race-ethnicity.html

Proportional Symbol Map
• Proportional symbol maps, or bubble maps, scale the size of
simple symbols (usually a circle/bubble) proportionally to the
data value associated with that location.
• Reference
– https://www.axismaps.com/guide/proportional-symbols
http://www.citylab.com/politics/2014/04/2-very-different-
migrations-driving-growth-us-cities/8873/
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/08/12/us/2020-census-
race-ethnicity.html
Classic bubble map. Use size (number of people) and
color (in-flow or out-flow) to code two variables.
Arrow is the symbol here. Two measures are encoded
with the symbol using three visual properties: orientation
(direction) and color represent change; its length
represents magnitude (although not continuous).

http://racialdotmap.demographics.coopercenter.org/


https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/tableau.docs.team/viz/CreatePointDistributionMapsinTableauExampleWorkbook/Hailstormmap


https://www.patreon.com/posts/united-states-of-20329634

Dot Density Map
• A dot density map uses dots or other symbols on the
map to show the values of one or more numeric data
fields.
– Each dot on a dot-density map represents some amount
of data.
–
In a dot-density map, areas with many dots indicate high
concentrations of values for the chosen field and fewer
dots indicate lower concentrations.
– Dots are typically of the same size, and do not use size to
code a measure.
–
It is similar to a scatter plot but based on location data
– Dot Density Maps visualize a large quantity of data points.
They can provide a perception of density (pattern) but are
also difficulty to browse.
• Usage
– Population density
• Example:
– http://racialdotmap.demographics.coopercenter.org/
– https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/tableau.docs.team/v
iz/CreatePointDistributionMapsinTableauExampleWorkbo
ok/Hailstormmap
– Also used in motion maps
https://www.patreon.com/posts/united-states-of-20329634
b. Area Based Mapping
• There are basically two types of areas:
predefined and dynamic
1. Choropleth map (Area Filled Map)
– Defined areas, based on the map context
– Predefined geo regions like country, state, city, zip
code
– Predefined non-geo regions like parts of a football
field
2. Isopleth map
– Dynamic area (heat map), based on data
– Heat maps (isopleth maps) differ from choropleth
maps in that the data is not grouped to a pre-
defined unit like a city district.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Choropleth_map


https://www.gasbuddy.com/GasPriceMap


http://blog.gretchenpeterson.com/archives/2694


http://www.270towin.com/


https://googletrends.github.io/search-election-election-night/


http://www.unfpa.org/world-population-dashboard

Choropleth Map (Area Filled Map)
•
Data is represented using polygons corresponding to defined geo
regions
–
Can only use color or texture to visualize data.
–
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Choropleth_map
•
The layer is divided into different regions, and data will be mapped to
the regions as units
–
Common types of regions include pollical areas like country, state,
county, or other defined by businesses like postal
(https://www.gasbuddy.com/GasPriceMap), phone code, school
district, or marketing/sales area.
–
Regions generally correspond to geo locations, but they may be less
detailed and accurate.
•
“Choropleth maps are sometimes incorrectly referred to as heat maps.
A choropleth map features different shading or patterns within
geographic boundaries to show the proportion of a variable of interest,
whereas the coloration a heat map (in a map context) does not
correspond to geographic boundaries”
–
see http://blog.gretchenpeterson.com/archives/2694
http://www.270towin.com
https://googletrends.github.io/
search-election-election-night/
http://www.unfpa.org/world-population-dashboard

https://www.caliper.com/glossary/what-is-a-thematic-map.htm

Cartogram
• A cartogram is a map/chart that is reshaped or resized to
represent data such as population demographics, business data,
or natural phenomena.
•
In the map below, for example, the sizes of the states represent
the total number of African Americans.
Image from https://www.caliper.com/glossary/what-is-a-thematic-map.htm

https://www.maptive.com/feature/heat-mapping-tool/


https://www.sirvizalot.com/2016/05/how-to-density-maps-using-hexbins-in.html


https://www.patrick-wied.at/projects/heatmap-keyboard/


https://www.hotjar.com/heatmaps


https://www.sirvizalot.com/2016/05/how-to-density-maps-using-hexbins-in.html

Isopleth Map (Heatmap on Maps)
•
Isopleth maps show areas with continuous distribution.
– An isopleth differs from a choropleth because the regions are determined by the data (dynamically formed) rather than
conforming to a predefined area, such as a city and state.
•
Usage
–
Isopleth maps are ideal for showing gradual change over space and avoids the abrupt changes which boundary lines
produce on choropleth maps.
–
Isopleth maps may use lines to show areas where elevation, temperature, rainfall, or some other quality is the same; values
between lines can be interpolated.
–
Isopleths may also use color to show regions where some quality is the same; for example, a map that use shades from red
to blue to indicate temperature ranges. Temperature, for example, is a phenomenon that should be mapped using
isoplething, since temperature exists at every point (is continuous), yet does not change abruptly at any point (like population
density may do as you cross into another census zone).
– Used in weather, climate
•
Examples
– Geo heat map https://www.maptive.com/feature/heat-mapping-tool/
– Grouped regions (binned) https://www.sirvizalot.com/2016/05/how-to-density-maps-using-hexbins-in.html
– Heat map on a keyboard: https://www.patrick-wied.at/projects/heatmap-keyboard/
– Heat map on a web page: https://www.hotjar.com/heatmaps
•
Variation
– Hex binning grid map: small bins give some levels of ordered boundaries.
https://www.sirvizalot.com/2016/05/how-
to-density-maps-using-hexbins-in.html
Hex binning grid map

https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/datavizard/viz/PITCHfxheatmap/PITCHfx


http://public.tableau.com/profile/datavizard#!/vizhome/MLBBatterHotColdZones/BatterHotCold

Granularity of Areas
• On Choropleth maps, granularity of regions are also
predefined, such as the hierarchy of country  state 
county
• On isopleth maps, granularity of regions can be more
arbitrary depending on data availability.
https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/dataviz
ard/viz/PITCHfxheatmap/PITCHfx
http://public.tableau.com/profile/datavizard#!/viz
home/MLBBatterHotColdZones/BatterHotCold
This is a more
granular level
of areas

https://www.arcgis.com/apps/Cascade/index.html?appid=4eff1f0e80344639b918cbd99b8523ff


https://blog.mapbox.com/clustering-millions-of-points-on-a-map-with-supercluster-272046ec5c97


https://outagemap.georgiapower.com/


https://www.sirvizalot.com/2016/05/how-to-density-maps-using-hexbins-in.html

Other types of areas
•
Isopleth grid map
– If individual points are not the focus:
Heat map - turn points into areas,
using color coding for density
• Dynamic cluster map: dynamically
cluster higher concentrated locations
into clusters
– https://www.arcgis.com/apps/Cascad
e/index.html?appid=4eff1f0e8034463
9b918cbd99b8523ff
– https://blog.mapbox.com/clustering-
millions-of-points-on-a-map-with-
supercluster-272046ec5c97
– https://outagemap.georgiapower.com/
https://www.sirvizalot.com/2016/05/how-
to-density-maps-using-hexbins-in.html
Change dot density into
isopleth grid map
How are points and areas mapped to
base map?
• Automatic translation
– Most mapping services provide built-in features
to translate common geo locations and areas,
like address, city, state, zip, etc.
• Custom map based on geo codes
– Non-standard places or areas can be defined by
external geo coordinates as part of the data
source

https://blog.qlik.com/data-visualization-foundations-mapping-flow-data


https://twitter.com/RK_Stimp/status/734054780172144641


https://public.tableau.com/profile/publish/NewPassingViz/Dashboard1#!/publish-confirm


http://qonnections2016-charts.qlikcloud.com/57279cd9c22f280100294eaa/chart.html

c. Line/Path Mapping (flow/network map)
• Using lines to represent relationships
and paths - some kind of network graph
in a location context
• Use scenario
– Transportation/traffic lines, rides/travel
– Moving path
• Visual variables
– Thickness of the line
– Color
• Variations
– Line map
– Flow map
• Usually for illustrating a path that
consists of different locations in an
order
– Can use more visual variables for more
data dimensions, like shape, color, size,
texture, etc.
– https://blog.qlik.com/data-visualization-
foundations-mapping-flow-data
https://twitter.com/RK_Stimp/status/734054780172144641
https://public.tableau.com/profile/publish/NewPassingViz/Dash
board1#!/publish-confirm
http://qonnections2016-charts.qlikcloud.com/57279cd9c22f280100294eaa/chart.html

https://www.caliper.com/glossary/what-is-a-thematic-map.htm


https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/grecian/viz/UKParaglidingXCLeague/Flightbrowser

Path Map
https://www.caliper.com/glossary/what-is-a-thematic-map.htm
https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/grecian/viz/
UKParaglidingXCLeague/Flightbrowser
Size/thickness
represents
traffic volume.
Color
represents
distance.

https://towardsdatascience.com/top-10-map-types-in-data-visualization-b3a80898ea70


https://www.superdatascience.com/blogs/art-using-tableau-custom-maps

Flow map
• Flow maps are often used to
visualize origin-destination
flow data. The origin and
destination can be points or
surfaces. The interaction data
between the origin and the
destination is usually
expressed by a line that
connects the geometric center
of gravity of the space unit.
The width or color of the line
indicates the flow direction
value between the origin and
the destination. Each spatial
location can be either a origin
or a destination.
• Use scenarios: inter-regional
trade, traffic flow, population
migration, shopping
consumption behavior,
communication information
flow, aviation routes, etc.
https://towardsdatascience.com/top-10-map-types-in-data-
visualization-b3a80898ea70
https://www.superdatascience.com/blogs/art-using-tableau-custom-
maps

https://onlinehelp.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/maps_howto_filledpiechart.html


https://policyviz.com/2017/09/20/tile-grid-waffle-chart-map-in-excel


http://datavizproject.com/data-type/map-bar-chart/


https://www.dataplusscience.com/BarChartMaps.html


https://www.sirvizalot.com/2016/05/how-to-small-multiple-tile-map-in.html


https://public.tableau.com/profile/matt.chambers#!/vizhome/MostVisitedNationalParksbyState2006-2016/MostVisitedNationalParksbyState2006-2016


https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/data/new-cases-50-states


https://homes.cs.washington.edu/~jheer/files/zoo/ex/maps/symbol.html


https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/matt.chambers/viz/MostVisitedNationalParksbyState2006-2016/MostVisitedNationalParksbyState2006-2016

+ Charts on Maps
• Use a chart (not just a dot or symbol) to represent a data point
– Pie/waffle charts
• https://onlinehelp.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/maps_howto_filledpiechart.html
• https://policyviz.com/2017/09/20/tile-grid-waffle-chart-map-in-excel
– Bar charts
• http://datavizproject.com/data-type/map-bar-chart/
• https://www.dataplusscience.com/BarChartMaps.html
– Line/area charts
• https://www.sirvizalot.com/2016/05/how-to-small-multiple-tile-map-in.html
• https://public.tableau.com/profile/matt.chambers#!/vizhome/MostVisitedNationalParksbyState2006-
2016/MostVisitedNationalParksbyState2006-2016
• https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/data/new-cases-50-states
https://homes.cs.washington.edu/~jheer//files/zoo/ex/m
aps/symbol.html
https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/matt.chambers/viz/MostVisitedNationa
lParksbyState2006-2016/MostVisitedNationalParksbyState2006-2016

https://vcg.seas.harvard.edu/publications/tilt-map-interactive-transitions-between-choropleth-map-prism-map-and-bar-chart-in-immersive-environments


https://www.caliper.com/glossary/what-is-a-thematic-map.htm


https://towardsdatascience.com/top-10-map-types-in-data-visualization-b3a80898ea70

+ 3D Maps
• Prism map utilizes the
height property to
represent a variable in
regions.
•
It can be area based or
point (bar) based
• Very useful in a virtual
3D or immersive
environment.
– https://vcg.seas.harva
rd.edu/publications/tilt
-map-interactive-
transitions-between-
choropleth-map-
prism-map-and-bar-
chart-in-immersive-
environments
https://www.caliper.com/glossary/what-is-a-thematic-map.htm
https://towardsdatascience.com/top-10-map-types-in-data-
visualization-b3a80898ea70

https://www.anychart.com/blog/2020/11/06/election-maps-us-vote-live-results/

Image from https://www.anychart.com/blog/2020/11/06/election-maps-us-vote-live-results/
A bird-eye view of various
election data map styles:
can you recognize the
map types and identify the
three elements?

https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/maps_dualaxis.htm


https://blog.databender.net/2014/06/23/points-and-polygons/


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KymI5cC4ug0


https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/jack.zheng/viz/TableauMaps_16965142235910/City

Multi-Layer Map
• Maps can support multiple layers of base maps and data representation layers.
These layers can be turn on/off interactively depending on user needs.
• Sometimes, more than one form data representations can be layered on the
same base map.
• Example (dual axis map in Tableau):
– Point + area dual layer map
• https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/maps_dualaxis.htm
• https://blog.databender.net/2014/06/23/points-and-polygons/
– Area + area (different area definitions)
• dual axis maps in Tableau https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KymI5cC4ug0
– Three layers:
https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/jack.zheng/viz/TableauMaps_16965142235910/City

https://www.slideshare.net/tillnagel/nagel-unfolding-thecityworkshops

Visual Variables Applied to Data Representation on Maps
• Position is inherent in all location related visualizations.
• How about orientation?
https://www.slideshare.net/tillnagel/nagel-unfolding-thecityworkshops
Shapes are used more
often as symbols on
maps
Often used.

https://www.gapminder.org/tools/#$chart-type=map


http://tableau7.wordpress.com/2014/01/12/motion-map-chart/


https://www.patreon.com/posts/arms-sales-usa-21015616


http://metrocosm.com/global-immigration-map/


https://googledataorg.cartodb.com/u/googledata/viz/bf595f4c-7381-11e5-9ec5-42010a14800c/public_map

Animated/Motion Map
• Added animation to show changes or movements
• Motion (changes) along the timeline
– https://www.gapminder.org/tools/#$chart-type=map
– http://tableau7.wordpress.com/2014/01/12/motion-map-
chart/
– https://www.patreon.com/posts/arms-sales-usa-
21015616
• Motion (movements) indicating direction and speed
– http://metrocosm.com/global-immigration-map/
– https://googledataorg.cartodb.com/u/googledata/viz/bf59
5f4c-7381-11e5-9ec5-42010a14800c/public_map
This class does not focus on motion maps.
Students may conduct a research in this topic.

http://luminocity3d.org/


https://oerworldmap.org/resource/?view=map&size=20


https://www.globalforestwatch.org/map


https://www.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ri5HyHp5-_I


https://resourcewatch.org/data/explore


http://www.healthmap.org/en/


http://www.sightsmap.com/

Map-Driven Data Exploration and Analysis
• Map-driven apps and dashboards for event monitoring, data
exploration, and analysis
– These kind of apps and dashboards use a big map (often the complete
screen) as the basis for data visualization and user interaction.
– Sometimes evolves 3D spaces.
• Examples
– Data exploration
• http://luminocity3d.org
• https://oerworldmap.org/resource/?view=map&size=20
• https://www.globalforestwatch.org/map
– Dashboard
• JHU CCOVID-19 Dashboard
https://www.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ri5HyHp5-_I
• https://resourcewatch.org/data/explore
• See more in the dashboard learning module.
–
Information exploration
• http://www.healthmap.org/en/
• http://www.sightsmap.com
This class does not focus on this kind
of applications, but it is a very good
research topic for class project.

https://carto.com/


https://www.esri.com/en-us/location-intelligence


https://www.pitneybowes.com/us/location-intelligence.html


https://www.mapchart.net/


http://www.mapinseconds.com/


https://mangomap.com/


https://flourish.studio/visualisations/maps/


https://maps.co/


http://datamaps.github.io/


https://developers.google.com/chart/interactive/docs/gallery/geochart


https://developers.google.com/chart/interactive/docs/gallery/map


https://mapsplatform.google.com/


https://leafmap.org/maps/


https://www.g2.com/categories/location-intelligence


https://flatlogic.com/blog/top-mapping-and-maps-api/


http://oedb.org/ilibrarian/do-it-yourself-gis-20-free-tools-data-sources-for-creating-data-maps/

Mapping Tools and Solutions
• Major location intelligence vendors
– CARTO https://carto.com
– Esri https://www.esri.com/en-us/location-intelligence
– Pitney Bowes https://www.pitneybowes.com/us/location-intelligence.html
– Galigeo, MapLarge, Near, Ubimo, etc.
• Web based tools
–
https://www.mapchart.net/
–
http://www.mapinseconds.com/
–
https://mangomap.com/
–
https://flourish.studio/visualisations/maps/
–
https://maps.co
• Most self-service BI tools provide mapping support
–
Tableau, Power BI, Qlik, FineReport
•
Programming library and API (most visualization libraries provide support for geo charts)
–
http://datamaps.github.io
– Google GeoChart https://developers.google.com/chart/interactive/docs/gallery/geochart
– Google Map https://developers.google.com/chart/interactive/docs/gallery/map
–
https://mapsplatform.google.com
–
https://leafmap.org/maps/
• More information
–
https://www.g2.com/categories/location-intelligence
–
https://flatlogic.com/blog/top-mapping-and-maps-api/
–
http://oedb.org/ilibrarian/do-it-yourself-gis-20-free-tools-data-sources-for-creating-data-maps/

https://www.counterpointresearch.com/maintains-location-platform-leadership-ahead-google-tomtom/

Location Platform Ratings
• https://www.counterpointresearch.com/maint
ains-location-platform-leadership-ahead-
google-tomtom/

https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/maps_build.htm


https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-us/maps_build2.htm


https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/jack.zheng/viz/TableauMaps_16965142235910/City

Tableau Mapping
• Overveiw
– https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-
us/maps_build.htm
• Tableau Examples
– https://help.tableau.com/current/pro/desktop/en-
us/maps_build2.htm
– https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/jack.zheng
/viz/TableauMaps_16965142235910/City

https://clauswilke.com/dataviz/geospatial-data.html


https://www.tableau.com/data-insights/reference-library/visual-analytics/geospatial


https://www.safegraph.com/guides/visualizing-geospatial-data


https://flourish.studio/blog/choosing-the-right-map-type-for-your-data/


https://www.forumone.com/insights/blog/good-data-visualization-practice-tile-grid-maps-0/

Key Resources
• Visualizing geospatial data
https://clauswilke.com/dataviz/geospatial-data.html
• A Guide To Geospatial Visualizations (two sub sections
on two types of maps) https://www.tableau.com/data-
insights/reference-library/visual-analytics/geospatial
• 12 Methods for Visualizing Geospatial Data on a Map
https://www.safegraph.com/guides/visualizing-geospatial-
data
• Choosing the right map type for your data
https://flourish.studio/blog/choosing-the-right-map-type-
for-your-data/
• Good Data Visualization Practice: Tile Grid Maps
https://www.forumone.com/insights/blog/good-data-
visualization-practice-tile-grid-maps-0/
47

https://colorbrewer2.org/


https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/datavizard/viz/ColorPalettesforTableau/color


https://www.perceptualedge.com/articles/visual_business_intelligence/geographical_data_visualization.pdf


https://towardsdatascience.com/an-introduction-to-geographical-data-visualization-3486959cd4b8


https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesinsights/2017/01/19/location-intelligence-mapping-the-opportunities-in-the-data-landscape/


https://carto.com/blog/really-good-guide-location-intelligence-implementation/


https://citygeographics.org/


http://metrocosm.com/


https://vividmaps.com/


https://flowingdata.com/category/visualization/mapping/


http://googlemapsmania.blogspot.com/


https://carto.com/blog/eighty-data-visualizations-examples-using-location-data-maps/


https://go.carto.com/get-location-intelligence-for-dummies


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Map_projection


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YH2sAbXv7p4


https://carto.com/blog/eighty-data-visualizations-examples-using-location-data-maps/

Additional Good Resources
•
Colors for map
–
https://colorbrewer2.org
– Color Palettes for Tableau | Tableau Public
•
Intro
–
https://www.perceptualedge.com/articles/visual_business_intelligence/geographical_data_visualization.pdf
–
https://towardsdatascience.com/an-introduction-to-geographical-data-visualization-3486959cd4b8
–
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesinsights/2017/01/19/location-intelligence-mapping-the-opportunities-in-the-data-
landscape/
–
https://carto.com/blog/really-good-guide-location-intelligence-implementation/
• Mapping example collections
–
https://citygeographics.org
–
http://metrocosm.com
–
https://vividmaps.com
–
https://flowingdata.com/category/visualization/mapping/
–
http://googlemapsmania.blogspot.com
–
https://carto.com/blog/eighty-data-visualizations-examples-using-location-data-maps/
•
Books
–
https://go.carto.com/get-location-intelligence-for-dummies
•
Concepts
–
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Map_projection
• Maps for fun
–
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YH2sAbXv7p4
–
https://carto.com/blog/eighty-data-visualizations-examples-using-location-data-maps/
48