{"id":6202,"date":"2019-08-01T16:01:25","date_gmt":"2019-08-01T08:01:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.finereport.com\/en\/?p=6202"},"modified":"2020-07-13T21:05:17","modified_gmt":"2020-07-13T13:05:17","slug":"top-10-map-types-in-data-visualization","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/frg.fineres.com\/en\/2019\/08\/01\/top-10-map-types-in-data-visualization\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Map Types in Visualization: Make Your Data Eye-catching"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"http:\/\/www.finereport.com\/en\/wp-content\/themes\/blogs\/images\/2019080101A.gif\" alt=\"map types\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Why does everyone like to use<strong>&nbsp;different maps types<\/strong>&nbsp;to visualize information in news media or data analysis reports?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In addition to the high efficiency of transmitting information, there is another important reason, that is, aesthetics. No matter how boring the content is, as long as it is equipped with a cool map, it will be eye-catching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Map visualization is used to analyze and display the geographically related data and present it in the form of different map types. This kind of data expression is clearer and more intuitive. We can visually see the distribution or proportion of data in each region. It is convenient for everyone to mine deeper information and make better decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are many map types in visualization, such as administrative maps, heatmaps, statistical maps, trajectory maps, bubble maps, etc. And maps can be divided into 2D maps, 3D maps or static maps, dynamic maps, interactive maps&#8230; They are often used in combination with points, lines, bubbles, and more. In this article, you&nbsp;will find examples of the 10 map types in&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.finereport.com\/en\/data-visualization\/data-visualization-2.html\">data visualization<\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>(NOTE: all the map types in the article are made with&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.finereport.com\/en\/\">FineReport<\/a>, and the personal&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.finereport.com\/en\/download\">download<\/a>&nbsp;is completely free.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2>List<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>Point Map<\/li><li>Line Map<\/li><li>Regional Map<\/li><li>Flow Map<\/li><li>Heatmap<\/li><li>Heat Point Map<\/li><li>Time-Space Distribution Map<\/li><li>Data Space Distribution Map<\/li><li>&nbsp;Three-dimensional Rectangular Map<\/li><li>Custom Map<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2>An In-Depth Look at 10 Map Types&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3>#1.&nbsp;Point Map<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Point maps are a straightforward type of map, especially for displaying data with a wide distribution of geographic information. For example, some companies have a wide range of businesses. If the company wants to view the data of each site (specific location) in a certain area, it will be more complicated to implement with general maps, and the accuracy is not high. Then you can use the point map for precise and fast positioning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.finereport.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/2019072225A.gif\" alt=\"Map types-Point map\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"http:\/\/www.finereport.com\/en\/wp-content\/themes\/blogs\/images\/2019080103A.gif\" alt=\"point map-emergency\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a style=\"color: #fff; background-color: #2849f7; border: none; border-radius: 20px; width: 180px; height: 40px; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px; display: inline-block; padding: 6px 12px; margin-bottom: 0; text-align: center;\" href=\"\/en\/activation\">Start Free Trial&nbsp;<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><strong>Use scenarios<\/strong>: Distribution of point events. Point maps can also realize special recognition of big events. Like the accident tracking map above, it can identify relatively serious events with pictures, text or dynamic effects.<\/figure>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:heading --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} --><\/p>\n<h3>#2. Line Map<\/h3>\n<p><!-- \/wp:heading --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>You may not use line maps often, because they are relatively difficult to draw. However, the line map sometimes contains not only space but also time. For the analysis of special scenes, its application value is particularly high.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/www.finereport.com\/en\/wp-content\/themes\/blogs\/images\/2019080104A.png\" alt=\"Line Map\" width=\"1898\" height=\"1072\"><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/figure>\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><a style=\"color: #fff; background-color: #2849f7; border: none; border-radius: 20px; width: 180px; height: 40px; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px; display: inline-block; padding: 6px 12px; margin-bottom: 0; text-align: center;\" href=\"\/en\/activation\">Start Free Trial&nbsp;<\/a><\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><strong>Use scenarios<\/strong>: route distribution for riding or driving, bus or subway line distribution, such as the taxi route of New York City on the map above.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} --><\/p>\n<h3>#3.<strong>&nbsp;<\/strong>Regional Map<\/h3>\n<p><!-- \/wp:heading --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>A regional map is also called a filling map. It can be displayed by country, province, city, district or even some customized maps. You can know data sizes through shades of color or different colors on the map.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:image {\"align\":\"center\",\"id\":9022,\"linkDestination\":\"custom\"} --><\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.finereport.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/2019122006I.gif\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"904\" height=\"497\" src=\"https:\/\/www.finereport.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/2019122006I.gif\" alt=\"Regional Map\" class=\"wp-image-9022\"><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p><!-- \/wp:image --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><a style=\"color: #fff; background-color: #2849f7; border: none; border-radius: 20px; width: 180px; height: 40px; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px; display: inline-block; padding: 6px 12px; margin-bottom: 0; text-align: center;\" href=\"\/en\/activation\">Start Free Trial&nbsp;<\/a><\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><strong>Use scenarios<\/strong>: distribution of some feature in different regions. It can realize the step-by-step drilling from the province to the city. And it can use different colors or labels for different characteristics. For example, in the above picture, we can drill down the data from the province to the city to view the sales. The larger the sales are, the darker the color is.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} --><\/p>\n<h3>#4. Flow Map<\/h3>\n<p><!-- \/wp:heading --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>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&nbsp;origin and the destination&nbsp;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 an origin or a destination.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:image --><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.finereport.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/2019072227A.gif\" alt=\"Map Types- Flow Map\"><\/figure>\n<p><!-- \/wp:image --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><a style=\"color: #fff; background-color: #2849f7; border: none; border-radius: 20px; width: 180px; height: 40px; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px; display: inline-block; padding: 6px 12px; margin-bottom: 0; text-align: center;\" href=\"\/en\/activation\">Start Free Trial&nbsp;<\/a><\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><strong>Use scenarios<\/strong>: inter-regional trade, traffic flow, population migration, shopping consumption behavior, communication information flow, aviation routes, etc.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} --><\/p>\n<h3>#5. Heatmap<\/h3>\n<p><!-- \/wp:heading --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>The heatmap is used to indicate the weight of each point in the geographical range. It is usually displayed in a special highlight. As shown in the figure below, it is a haze map. The darker the color of the area, the worse the air quality of the area.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:image --><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.finereport.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/2019072228A.gif\" alt=\" Heat Map\"><\/figure>\n<p><!-- \/wp:image --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><a style=\"color: #fff; background-color: #2849f7; border: none; border-radius: 20px; width: 180px; height: 40px; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px; display: inline-block; padding: 6px 12px; margin-bottom: 0; text-align: center;\" href=\"\/en\/activation\">Start Free Trial&nbsp;<\/a><\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><strong>Use scenarios<\/strong>: PM2.5 distribution, registration date and age distribution, product preference distribution, etc.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} --><\/p>\n<h3>#6.<strong> <\/strong>Heat Point Map<\/h3>\n<p><!-- \/wp:heading --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>The heat point map is a comprehensive application of the heat map and the point map. Compared with the heat map, its accuracy of recognition can be higher. And compared with the point map, its point is actually a circle, and the circles overlap each other, which is more layered.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:image --><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"http:\/\/www.finereport.com\/en\/wp-content\/themes\/blogs\/images\/2019080108A.gif\" alt=\"\"><figcaption><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><!-- \/wp:image --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><a style=\"color: #fff; background-color: #2849f7; border: none; border-radius: 20px; width: 180px; height: 40px; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px; display: inline-block; padding: 6px 12px; margin-bottom: 0; text-align: center;\" href=\"\/en\/activation\">Start Free Trial&nbsp;<\/a><\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><strong>Use scenarios<\/strong>: display of the weight of each complex point within the geographic extent. For example, in the above bus station usage map, the more people there are, the bigger the point is, and the darker the color is. It is also possible to identify the maximum and minimum number of people.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} --><\/p>\n<h3>#7. Time-Space Distribution Map<\/h3>\n<p><!-- \/wp:heading --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>Such map types visualizes the trajectory distribution with both temporal and spatial information. They can record time and spatial distribution of each point.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:image --><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"http:\/\/www.finereport.com\/en\/wp-content\/themes\/blogs\/images\/2019080109A.gif\" alt=\"Map Types-Time-Space Distribution Map\"><\/figure>\n<p><!-- \/wp:image --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><a style=\"color: #fff; background-color: #2849f7; border: none; border-radius: 20px; width: 180px; height: 40px; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px; display: inline-block; padding: 6px 12px; margin-bottom: 0; text-align: center;\" href=\"\/en\/activation\">Start Free Trial&nbsp;<\/a><\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><strong>Use scenarios<\/strong>: GPS geographic tracking, etc.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} --><\/p>\n<h3>#8<strong>.&nbsp;<\/strong>Data Space Distribution Map<\/h3>\n<p><!-- \/wp:heading --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>We use a concrete example to explain this map. The picture below is a spatial distribution map of passenger flow in&nbsp;rail transit. Different colors identify different lines (more intuitive), and the thickness of the line indicates the traffic volume of different stations (similar to the heat point). The thicker the line is, the larger the traffic is. It can also indicate the direction of the track line.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:image --><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"http:\/\/www.finereport.com\/en\/wp-content\/themes\/blogs\/images\/2019080110A.gif\" alt=\"&nbsp;Data Space Distribution Map\"><p><\/p>\n<figcaption><\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n<p><!-- \/wp:image --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><a style=\"color: #fff; background-color: #2849f7; border: none; border-radius: 20px; width: 180px; height: 40px; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px; display: inline-block; padding: 6px 12px; margin-bottom: 0; text-align: center;\" href=\"\/en\/activation\">Start Free Trial&nbsp;<\/a><\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><strong>Use scenarios<\/strong>: through this kind of visualization effect, the operator can clearly know the distribution of passenger flow in a certain period of time, so as to rationally arrange operations (such as the number of employees, etc.).<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} --><\/p>\n<h3>#9.&nbsp;Three-dimensional Rectangular Map<\/h3>\n<p><!-- \/wp:heading --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>This type of map is an upgraded version of the point map. Points can vary in all shapes, including such three-dimensional rectangles.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:image --><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"http:\/\/www.finereport.com\/en\/wp-content\/themes\/blogs\/images\/2019080111A.gif\" alt=\"Map Types-3D Map \"><\/figure>\n<p><!-- \/wp:image --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:image --><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"http:\/\/www.finereport.com\/en\/wp-content\/themes\/blogs\/images\/2019080112A.gif\" alt=\"Map Types- 3D Rectangular Map\"><p><\/p>\n<figcaption><\/figcaption>\n<\/figure>\n<p><!-- \/wp:image --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><a style=\"color: #fff; background-color: #2849f7; border: none; border-radius: 20px; width: 180px; height: 40px; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px; display: inline-block; padding: 6px 12px; margin-bottom: 0; text-align: center;\" href=\"\/en\/activation\">Start Free Trial&nbsp;<\/a><\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><strong>Use scenarios<\/strong>: all scenarios of the point map. It focuses more on the geographical distribution of specific objects, such as real estate construction projects.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:heading {\"level\":3} --><\/p>\n<h3>#10. Custom Map<\/h3>\n<p><!-- \/wp:heading --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>A custom map is a map type of your own design. It can meet any use scenario, but it requires some data analysis and visual design basis. So I won&#8217;t go on about it, just show you two custom maps I made.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:image --><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.finereport.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/2019122007I.gif\" alt=\"\"><\/figure>\n<p><!-- \/wp:image --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:image --><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img src=\"http:\/\/www.finereport.com\/en\/wp-content\/themes\/blogs\/images\/2019080114A.gif\" alt=\"\"><\/figure>\n<p><!-- \/wp:image --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><a style=\"color: #fff; background-color: #2849f7; border: none; border-radius: 20px; width: 180px; height: 40px; font-size: 16px; line-height: 26px; display: inline-block; padding: 6px 12px; margin-bottom: 0; text-align: center;\" href=\"\/en\/activation\">Start Free Trial&nbsp;<\/a><\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:heading --><\/p>\n<h2>How to Create These Different Map Types?<\/h2>\n<p><!-- \/wp:heading --><\/p>\n<p>Reading here, you may ask what tools you should use to make map visualizations. I don&#8217;t think it&#8217;s necessary to emphasize the choice of tools. Excel, D3, and even PS can do what you want. You should think more about the main purpose of your use of these tools.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>If you just want to show the processed data, you can choose Excel. Or maybe you have all kinds of data, but you don&#8217;t understand data modeling, programming, or data cleaning, or even SQL optimization, then you need an easy-to-use data visualization tool like FineReport and Tableau. The maps I made in this article may seem a bit difficult to draw, but I actually used the built-in map templates of&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.finereport.com\/en\/\">FineReport<\/a>. With a simple drag and drop operation, data can be easily visualized.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p>In short, all the tools mentioned above supports multiple map types, but there are differences. You should choose the visualization tool that suits you according to your needs.<\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><em>Follow&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/finereport\/\">FineReport Reporting Software<\/a>&nbsp;on Facebook to learn more about map visualization!<\/em><\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:image --><\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.finereport.com\/en\/activation\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.finereport.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/FR-visualization-.png\" alt=\"\"><\/a><\/figure>\n<p><!-- \/wp:image --><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"id-190801-\u5b98\u7f51-Top10MapTypesinDataVisualization-Youmightalsobeinterestedin\u2026\"><strong>You&nbsp;might also be interested in\u2026<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><!-- \/wp:heading --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.finereport.com\/en\/about-finereport\/how-can-beginners-design-cool-data-visualizations.html\">Top 16 Types of Chart in Data Visualization<\/a><\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.finereport.com\/en\/about-finereport\/how-can-beginners-design-cool-data-visualizations.html\">How Can Beginners Design Cool Data Visualizations?<\/a><\/p>\n<p><!-- \/wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><!-- wp:paragraph --><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.finereport.com\/en\/data-visualization\/a-beginners-guide-to-business-dashboards.html\">A Beginner\u2019s Guide to Business Dashboards<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Map visualization is used to analyze and display the geographically related data and present it in the form of maps. This kind of data expression is clearer and more intuitive. So come to learn the top 10 map types in data visualization, which can help you mine deeper information and make better decisions. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[854],"tags":[118],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/frg.fineres.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6202"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/frg.fineres.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/frg.fineres.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/frg.fineres.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/frg.fineres.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6202"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/frg.fineres.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6202\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10385,"href":"https:\/\/frg.fineres.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6202\/revisions\/10385"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/frg.fineres.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6202"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/frg.fineres.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6202"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/frg.fineres.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6202"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}