Using ArcGIS, anyone can quickly make and share a map-but creating an effective map requires knowing a few design fundamentals. Enroll in this plan to learn techniques to appropriately symbolize and label map features, apply settings that enhance user interaction with your maps, and create impactful data visualizations that resonate with your intended audience.Goals Choose appropriate map symbols to represent your data. Create attractive labels to provide information about map features. Visualize data in 2D and 3D.

Geospatial Data Pack for Visualization 🗺️

Learn Geographic Mapping with Altair, Vega-Lite and Vega using Curated Datasets

Complete geographic and geophysical data collection for mapping and visualization. This consolidation includes 18 complementary datasets used by 31+ Vega, Vega-Lite, and Altair examples 📊. Perfect for learning geographic visualization techniques including projections, choropleths, point maps, vector fields, and interactive displays.

Source data lives on GitHub and can also be accessed via CDN. The vega-datasets project serves as a common repository for example datasets used across these visualization libraries and related projects.

Why Use This Dataset? 🤔

• Comprehensive Geospatial Types: Explore a variety of core geospatial data models:
  • Vector Data: Includes points (like airports.csv), lines (like londonTubeLines.json), and polygons (like us-10m.json).
  • Raster-like Data: Work with gridded datasets (like windvectors.csv, annual-precip.json).
• Diverse Formats: Gain experience with standard and efficient geospatial formats like GeoJSON (see Table 1, 2, 4), compressed TopoJSON (see Table 1), and plain CSV/TSV (see Table 2, 3, 4) for point data and attribute tables ready for joining.
• Multi-Scale Coverage: Practice visualization across different geographic scales, from global and national (Table 1, 4) down to the city level (Table 1).
• Rich Thematic Mapping: Includes multiple datasets (Table 3) specifically designed for joining attributes to geographic boundaries (like states or counties from Table 1) to create insightful choropleth maps.
• Ready-to-Use & Example-Driven: Cleaned datasets tightly integrated with 31+ official examples (see Appendix) from Altair, Vega-Lite, and Vega, allowing you to immediately practice techniques like projections, point maps, network maps, and interactive displays.
• Python Friendly: Works seamlessly with essential Python libraries like Altair (which can directly read TopoJSON/GeoJSON), Pandas, and GeoPandas, fitting perfectly into the Kaggle notebook environment.

Table of Contents

• Why Use This Dataset?
• Dataset Inventory
• Usage Guide
• Appendix: Geospatial Examples by Technique
• Licenses
• Sources
• Learning Resources

Dataset Inventory 🗂️

This pack includes 18 datasets covering base maps, reference points, statistical data for choropleths, and geophysical data.

1. BASE MAP BOUNDARIES (Topological Data)

2. GEOGRAPHIC REFERENCE POINTS (Point Data) 📍

This map contains multibeam sonar survey data collected during the 2021 field project. This file supports the New Technology and the Search for Historic Shipwrecks StoryMap created by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) and Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS). The StoryMap can be viewed here. The StoryMap was funded through NOAA's Office of Ocean Exploration and Research. More information on the project can be found here. All project files are stored in the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information.

Discover the booming interactive map creation tools market! This in-depth analysis reveals a $2.5 billion market in 2025, projected to reach $8 billion by 2033, driven by cloud-based solutions and growing data visualization needs. Learn about key players, market segmentation, and regional trends shaping this exciting sector.

The interactive map creation tools market is experiencing robust growth, driven by increasing demand for visually engaging data representation across diverse sectors. The market, estimated at $2.5 billion in 2025, is projected to witness a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 15% from 2025 to 2033, reaching approximately $7.8 billion by 2033. This expansion is fueled by several key factors. The rising adoption of location-based services (LBS) and geographic information systems (GIS) across industries like real estate, tourism, logistics, and urban planning is a major catalyst. Businesses are increasingly leveraging interactive maps to enhance customer engagement, improve operational efficiency, and gain valuable insights from geospatial data. Furthermore, advancements in mapping technologies, including the integration of AI and machine learning for improved data analysis and visualization, are contributing to market growth. The accessibility of user-friendly tools, coupled with the decreasing cost of cloud-based solutions, is also making interactive map creation more accessible to a wider range of users, from individuals to large corporations. However, the market also faces certain challenges. Data security and privacy concerns surrounding the use of location data are paramount. The need for specialized skills and expertise to effectively utilize advanced mapping technologies may also hinder broader adoption, particularly among smaller businesses. Competition among established players like Mapbox, ArcGIS StoryMaps, and Google, alongside emerging innovative solutions, necessitates constant innovation and differentiation. Nevertheless, the overall market outlook remains positive, with continued technological advancements and rising demand for data visualization expected to propel growth in the coming years. Specific market segmentation data, while unavailable, can be reasonably inferred from existing market trends, suggesting a strong dominance of enterprise-grade solutions, but with substantial growth expected from simpler, more user-friendly tools designed for individuals and small businesses.

Discover the booming Data Asset Map System market! This comprehensive analysis reveals key trends, drivers, restraints, and leading companies shaping this rapidly expanding sector, projected to reach [final year market size] by 2033. Explore regional market share, segmentation, and future growth opportunities.

The global data visualization market, valued at $9.84 billion in 2025, is experiencing robust growth, projected to expand at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 10.95% from 2025 to 2033. This expansion is fueled by several key drivers. The increasing volume and complexity of data generated across various industries necessitates effective visualization tools for insightful analysis and decision-making. Furthermore, the rising adoption of cloud-based solutions offers scalability, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness, driving market growth. Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are integrating seamlessly with data visualization platforms, enhancing automation and predictive capabilities, further stimulating market demand. The BFSI (Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance) sector, along with IT and Telecommunications, are major adopters, leveraging data visualization for risk management, fraud detection, customer relationship management, and network optimization. However, challenges remain, including the need for skilled professionals to effectively utilize these tools and concerns regarding data security and privacy. The market segmentation reveals a strong presence of executive management and marketing departments across organizations, highlighting the strategic importance of data visualization in business operations. The market's competitive landscape is characterized by established players like SAS Institute, IBM, Microsoft, and Salesforce (Tableau), along with emerging innovative companies. This competition fosters innovation and drives down costs, making data visualization solutions more accessible to a broader range of businesses and organizations. Regional variations in market penetration are expected, with North America and Europe currently holding significant shares, but Asia Pacific is poised for substantial growth, driven by rapid digitalization and technological advancements in the region. The on-premise deployment mode still holds a considerable market share, though the cloud/on-demand segment is experiencing faster growth due to its inherent advantages. The ongoing trend towards self-service business intelligence (BI) tools is empowering end-users to access and analyze data independently, increasing the overall market demand for user-friendly and intuitive data visualization platforms. Future growth will depend on continued technological advancements, expanding applications across diverse industries, and addressing the existing challenges related to data skills gaps and security concerns. This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the Data Visualization Market, projecting robust growth from $XX Billion in 2025 to $YY Billion by 2033. It covers the period from 2019 to 2033, with a focus on the forecast period 2025-2033 and a base year of 2025. This in-depth study examines key market segments, competitive landscapes, and emerging trends influencing this rapidly evolving industry. The report is designed for executives, investors, and market analysts seeking actionable insights into the future of data visualization. Recent developments include: September 2022: KPI 360, an AI-driven solution that uses real-time data monitoring and prediction to assist manufacturing organizations in seeing various operational data sources through a single, comprehensive industrial intelligence dashboard that sets up in hours, was recently unveiled by SymphonyAI Industrial., January 2022: The most recent version of the IVAAP platform for ubiquitous subsurface visualization and analytics applications was released by INT, a top supplier of data visualization software. IVAAP allows exploring, visualizing, and computing energy data by providing full OSDU Data Platform compatibility. With the new edition, IVAAP's map-based search, data discovery, and data selection are expanded to include 3D seismic volume intersection, 2D seismic overlays, reservoir, and base map widgets for cloud-based visualization of all forms of energy data.. Key drivers for this market are: Cloud Deployment of Data Visualization Solutions, Increasing Need for Quick Decision Making. Potential restraints include: Lack of Tech Savvy and Skilled Workforce/Inability. Notable trends are: Retail Segment to Witness Significant Growth.

Presentation Date: Friday, March 15, 2019. Location: Barnstable, MA. Abstract: A presentation to a crowd of Barnstable High "AstroJunkies," about how we use physics, statistics, and visualizations to turn information from large, public, astronomical data sets, across many wavelengths into a better understanding of the structure of the Milky Way.

Context

COVID-19, India This tutorial help in understanding basics of data visualization and mapping using Python.

Content

Data sets contain State wise confirmed cases, death toll, and cured cases till date.

Acknowledgements

I owe my thanks to the data sets provider.

Inspiration

Data visualization helps in creating trends, patterns, interactive graphs and maps. This will help policy and decision makers to understand,discuss and visualize the data.

This study focuses on the use of citizen science and GIS tools for collecting and analyzing data on Rose Swanson Mountain in British Columbia, Canada. While several organizations collect data on wildlife habitats, trail mapping, and fire documentation on the mountain, there are few studies conducted on the area and citizen science is not being addressed. The study aims to aggregate various data sources and involve citizens in the data collection process using ArcGIS Dashboard and ArcGIS Survey 123. These GIS tools allow for the integration and analysis of different kinds of data, as well as the creation of interactive maps and surveys that can facilitate citizen engagement and data collection. The data used in the dashboard was sourced from BC Data Catalogue, Explore the Map, and iNaturalist. Results show effective citizen participation, with 1073 wildlife observations and 3043 plant observations. The dashboard provides a user-friendly interface for citizens to tailor their map extent and layers, access surveys, and obtain information on each attribute included in the pop-up by clicking. Analysis on classification of fuel types, ecological communities, endangered wildlife species presence and critical habitat, and scope of human activities can be conducted based on the distribution of data. The dashboard can provide direction for researchers to develop research or contribute to other projects in progress, as well as advocate for natural resource managers to use citizen science data. The study demonstrates the potential for GIS and citizen science to contribute to meaningful discoveries and advancements in areas.

The dataset includes cartographic visualization data and software designed, implemented, and published for the ARCHITRAVE research project website. The research focused on the edition, executed in German and French, of six travelogues by German travelers of the Baroque period who visited Paris and Versailles. The edited texts are published in the Textgrid repository. For all further information on the content and objectives of the research, please refer to the website (https://architrave.eu/) and given literature. Three visualizations were created for the website: the travel stops of five of the travelers on their way to Paris and Versailles the sites in Europe mentioned in the six travelogues the sites in Paris described by the six travelers The visualizations were implemented with Leaflet.js. The dataset contains scripts for data crunching processed geodata scripts for leaflet.js License README

The Digital Geologic-GIS Map of San Miguel Island, California is composed of GIS data layers and GIS tables, and is available in the following GRI-supported GIS data formats: 1.) a 10.1 file geodatabase (smis_geology.gdb), a 2.) Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) geopackage, and 3.) 2.2 KMZ/KML file for use in Google Earth, however, this format version of the map is limited in data layers presented and in access to GRI ancillary table information. The file geodatabase format is supported with a 1.) ArcGIS Pro map file (.mapx) file (smis_geology.mapx) and individual Pro layer (.lyrx) files (for each GIS data layer), as well as with a 2.) 10.1 ArcMap (.mxd) map document (smis_geology.mxd) and individual 10.1 layer (.lyr) files (for each GIS data layer). The OGC geopackage is supported with a QGIS project (.qgz) file. Upon request, the GIS data is also available in ESRI 10.1 shapefile format. Contact Stephanie O'Meara (see contact information below) to acquire the GIS data in these GIS data formats. In addition to the GIS data and supporting GIS files, three additional files comprise a GRI digital geologic-GIS dataset or map: 1.) this file (chis_geology_gis_readme.pdf), 2.) the GRI ancillary map information document (.pdf) file (chis_geology.pdf) which contains geologic unit descriptions, as well as other ancillary map information and graphics from the source map(s) used by the GRI in the production of the GRI digital geologic-GIS data for the park, and 3.) a user-friendly FAQ PDF version of the metadata (smis_geology_metadata_faq.pdf). Please read the chis_geology_gis_readme.pdf for information pertaining to the proper extraction of the GIS data and other map files. Google Earth software is available for free at: https://www.google.com/earth/versions/. QGIS software is available for free at: https://www.qgis.org/en/site/. Users are encouraged to only use the Google Earth data for basic visualization, and to use the GIS data for any type of data analysis or investigation. The data were completed as a component of the Geologic Resources Inventory (GRI) program, a National Park Service (NPS) Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) Division funded program that is administered by the NPS Geologic Resources Division (GRD). For a complete listing of GRI products visit the GRI publications webpage: For a complete listing of GRI products visit the GRI publications webpage: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/geology/geologic-resources-inventory-products.htm. For more information about the Geologic Resources Inventory Program visit the GRI webpage: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/geology/gri,htm. At the bottom of that webpage is a "Contact Us" link if you need additional information. You may also directly contact the program coordinator, Jason Kenworthy (jason_kenworthy@nps.gov). Source geologic maps and data used to complete this GRI digital dataset were provided by the following: American Association of Petroleum Geologists. Detailed information concerning the sources used and their contribution the GRI product are listed in the Source Citation section(s) of this metadata record (smis_geology_metadata.txt or smis_geology_metadata_faq.pdf). Users of this data are cautioned about the locational accuracy of features within this dataset. Based on the source map scale of 1:24,000 and United States National Map Accuracy Standards features are within (horizontally) 12.2 meters or 40 feet of their actual location as presented by this dataset. Users of this data should thus not assume the location of features is exactly where they are portrayed in Google Earth, ArcGIS, QGIS or other software used to display this dataset. All GIS and ancillary tables were produced as per the NPS GRI Geology-GIS Geodatabase Data Model v. 2.3. (available at: https://www.nps.gov/articles/gri-geodatabase-model.htm).

Visual map at kumu.io/access2perspectives/covid19-resources

Data set doi: 10.5281/zenodo.3732377 // available in different formats (pdf, xls, ods, csv,)

Correspondence: (JH) info@access2perspectives.com

Objectives

Provide citizens with crucial and reliable information

Encourage and facilitate South South collaboration

Bridging language barriers

Provide local governments and cities with lessons learned about COVID-19 crisis response

Facilitate global cooperation and immediate response on all societal levels

Enable LMICs to collaborate and innovate across distances and leverage locally available and context-relevant resources

Methodology

The data feeding the map at kumu.io was compiled from online resources and information shared in various community communication channels.

Kumu.io is a visualization platform for mapping complex systems and to provide a deeper understanding of their intrinsic relationships. It provides blended systems thinking, stakeholder mapping, and social network analysis.

Explore the map // https://kumu.io/access2perspectives/covid19-resources#global

Click on individual nodes and view the information by country

info hotlines

governmental informational websites, Twitter feeds & Facebook pages

fact checking online resources

language indicator

DIY resources

clinical staff capacity building

etc.

With the navigation buttons to the right, you can zoom in and out, select and focus on specific elements.

If you have comments, questions or suggestions for improvements on this map email us at info@access2perspectives.com

Contribute

Please add data to the spreadsheet at https://tinyurl.com/COVID19-global-response

you can add additional information on country, city or neighbourhood level (see e.g. the Cape Town entry)

Related documents

Google Doc: tinyurl.com/COVID19-Africa-Response

This tutorial will teach you how to take time-series data from many field sites and create a shareable online map, where clicking on a field location brings you to a page with interactive graph(s).

The tutorial can be completed with a sample dataset (provided via a Google Drive link within the document) or with your own time-series data from multiple field sites.

Part 1 covers how to make interactive graphs in Google Data Studio and Part 2 covers how to link data pages to an interactive map with ArcGIS Online. The tutorial will take 1-2 hours to complete.

An example interactive map and data portal can be found at: https://temple.maps.arcgis.com/apps/View/index.html?appid=a259e4ec88c94ddfbf3528dc8a5d77e8

Description

This dataset contains a list of 186 Digital Humanities projects leveraging information visualisation techniques. Each project has been classified according to visualisation and interaction methods, narrativity and narrative solutions, domain, methods for the representation of uncertainty and interpretation, and the employment of critical and custom approaches to visually represent humanities data.

Classification schema: categories and columns

The project_id column contains unique internal identifiers assigned to each project. Meanwhile, the last_access column records the most recent date (in DD/MM/YYYY format) on which each project was reviewed based on the web address specified in the url column.
The remaining columns can be grouped into descriptive categories aimed at characterising projects according to different aspects:

Narrativity. It reports the presence of information visualisation techniques employed within narrative structures. Here, the term narrative encompasses both author-driven linear data stories and more user-directed experiences where the narrative sequence is determined by user exploration [1]. We define 2 columns to identify projects using visualisation techniques in narrative, or non-narrative sections. Both conditions can be true for projects employing visualisations in both contexts. Columns:

• non_narrative (boolean)

• narrative (boolean)

Domain. The humanities domain to which the project is related. We rely on [2] and the chapters of the first part of [3] to abstract a set of general domains. Column:

• domain (categorical):

• History and archaeology

• Art and art history

• Language and literature

• Music and musicology

• Multimedia and performing arts

• Philosophy and religion

• Other: both extra-list domains and cases of collections without a unique or specific thematic focus.

Visualisation of uncertainty and interpretation. Buiding upon the frameworks proposed by [4] and [5], a set of categories was identified, highlighting a distinction between precise and impressional communication of uncertainty. Precise methods explicitly represent quantifiable uncertainty such as missing, unknown, or uncertain data, precisely locating and categorising it using visual variables and positioning. Two sub-categories are interactive distinction, when uncertain data is not visually distinguishable from the rest of the data but can be dynamically isolated or included/excluded categorically through interaction techniques (usually filters); and visual distinction, when uncertainty visually “emerges” from the representation by means of dedicated glyphs and spatial or visual cues and variables. On the other hand, impressional methods communicate the constructed and situated nature of data [6], exposing the interpretative layer of the visualisation and indicating more abstract and unquantifiable uncertainty using graphical aids or interpretative metrics. Two sub-categories are: ambiguation, when the use of graphical expedients—like permeable glyph boundaries or broken lines—visually convey the ambiguity of a phenomenon; and interpretative metrics, when expressive, non-scientific, or non-punctual metrics are used to build a visualisation. Column:

• uncertainty_interpretation (categorical):

• Interactive distinction

• Visual distinction

• Ambiguation

• Interpretative metrics

Critical adaptation. We identify projects in which, with regards to at least a visualisation, the following criteria are fulfilled: 1) avoid repurposing of prepackaged, generic-use, or ready-made solutions; 2) being tailored and unique to reflect the peculiarities of the phenomena at hand; 3) avoid simplifications to embrace and depict complexity, promoting time-consuming visualisation-based inquiry. Column:

• critical_adaptation (boolean)

Non-temporal visualisation techniques. We adopt and partially adapt the terminology and definitions from [7]. A column is defined for each type of visualisation and accounts for its presence within a project, also including stacked layouts and more complex variations. Columns and inclusion criteria:

• plot (boolean): visual representations that map data points onto a two-dimensional coordinate system.

• cluster_or_set (boolean): sets or cluster-based visualisations used to unveil possible inter-object similarities.

• map (boolean): geographical maps used to show spatial insights. While we do not specify the variants of maps (e.g., pin maps, dot density maps, flow maps, etc.), we make an exception for maps where each data point is represented by another visualisation (e.g., a map where each data point is a pie chart) by accounting for the presence of both in their respective columns.

• network (boolean): visual representations highlighting relational aspects through nodes connected by links or edges.

• hierarchical_diagram (boolean): tree-like structures such as tree diagrams, radial trees, but also dendrograms. They differ from networks for their strictly hierarchical structure and absence of closed connection loops.

• treemap (boolean): still hierarchical, but highlighting quantities expressed by means of area size. It also includes circle packing variants.

• word_cloud (boolean): clouds of words, where each instance’s size is proportional to its frequency in a related context

• bars (boolean): includes bar charts, histograms, and variants. It coincides with “bar charts” in [7] but with a more generic term to refer to all bar-based visualisations.

• line_chart (boolean): the display of information as sequential data points connected by straight-line segments.

• area_chart (boolean): similar to a line chart but with a filled area below the segments. It also includes density plots.

• pie_chart (boolean): circular graphs divided into slices which can also use multi-level solutions.

• plot_3d (boolean): plots that use a third dimension to encode an additional variable.

• proportional_area (boolean): representations used to compare values through area size. Typically, using circle- or square-like shapes.

• other (boolean): it includes all other types of non-temporal visualisations that do not fall into the aforementioned categories.

Temporal visualisations and encodings. In addition to non-temporal visualisations, a group of techniques to encode temporality is considered in order to enable comparisons with [7]. Columns:

• timeline (boolean): the display of a list of data points or spans in chronological order. They include timelines working either with a scale or simply displaying events in sequence. As in [7], we also include structured solutions resembling Gantt chart layouts.

• temporal_dimension (boolean): to report when time is mapped to any dimension of a visualisation, with the exclusion of timelines. We use the term “dimension” and not “axis” as in [7] as more appropriate for radial layouts or more complex representational choices.

• animation (boolean): temporality is perceived through an animation changing the visualisation according to time flow.

• visual_variable (boolean): another visual encoding strategy is used to represent any temporality-related variable (e.g., colour).

Interactions. A set of categories to assess affordable interactions based on the concept of user intent [8] and user-allowed perceptualisation data actions [9]. The following categories roughly match the manipulative subset of methods of the “how” an interaction is performed in the conception of [10]. Only interactions that affect the aspect of the visualisation or the visual representation of its data points, symbols, and glyphs are taken into consideration. Columns:

• basic_selection (boolean): the demarcation of an element either for the duration of the interaction or more permanently until the occurrence of another selection.

• advanced_selection (boolean): the demarcation involves both the selected element and connected elements within the visualisation or leads to brush and link effects across views. Basic selection is tacitly implied.

• navigation (boolean): interactions that allow moving, zooming, panning, rotating, and scrolling the view but only when applied to the visualisation and not to the web page. It also includes “drill” interactions (to navigate through different levels or portions of data detail, often generating a new view that replaces or accompanies the original) and “expand” interactions generating new perspectives on data by expanding and collapsing nodes.

• arrangement (boolean): the organisation of visualisation elements (symbols, glyphs, etc.) or multi-visualisation layouts spatially through drag and drop or

Discover the booming Business Mapping Software market! Our in-depth analysis reveals a $15B market in 2025 projected to reach $45B by 2033, driven by cloud adoption and location intelligence. Explore market trends, key players (Microsoft, IBM, Caliper), and regional insights.

The global Business Mapping Software market is experiencing robust growth, driven by the increasing adoption of cloud-based solutions and the expanding need for data visualization across diverse industries. Our analysis projects a market size of $15 billion in 2025, expanding at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 12% from 2025 to 2033. This significant growth is fueled by several key factors. The rise of digital transformation initiatives across sectors like healthcare, finance, and manufacturing is creating a heightened demand for efficient data visualization tools. Businesses are increasingly relying on business mapping software to understand geographical patterns, optimize supply chains, analyze market trends, and improve operational efficiency. Furthermore, advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are enhancing the capabilities of these platforms, making them more insightful and user-friendly. The prevalence of cloud-based solutions offers scalability, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness, contributing significantly to market expansion. While data security concerns and the need for specialized training can act as restraints, the overall market outlook remains highly positive. The market segmentation highlights the strong demand across various application sectors. Healthcare is a particularly lucrative segment, leveraging the software for efficient resource allocation, patient management, and epidemiological studies. The automotive industry uses it for supply chain optimization and logistics management. Similarly, banking, financial services, and manufacturing benefit from improved risk assessment, market analysis, and operational optimization. The competitive landscape is dynamic, featuring both established tech giants like Microsoft and IBM, and specialized providers like Caliper and eSpatial. Geographic expansion, particularly in rapidly developing economies in Asia-Pacific, presents significant growth opportunities. This suggests the market will continue its upward trajectory, driven by technological advancements, increasing digitalization across industries, and a global demand for enhanced data visualization and analysis capabilities.

In today’s information age, thematic maps increasingly appear in all kinds of media and publications and many users control the map design process themselves. Due to wider prevalence of data, teaching the principles of thematic cartography is gaining interest. Students need to understand the power of thematic maps to reveal geographic patterns and relations, and should learn how to create convincing maps. In this paper, student maps featuring socio-economic themes for Northern South Africa show how attention can be drawn to information hidden in data. Seven students each prepared a black-and-white traditional thematic map and a coloured infographics-style map, which were later enhanced by a well-trained cartographer. Through these maps, we demonstrate that the power of thematic maps depends on the chosen cartographic representation and that diversity of visualization options matters when telling a story with a map. Discussion of the maps illustrates the relevance and challenge of thematic maps for society, the need to develop map literacy, and the possibility to accommodate new visualization trends, like narrative data visualization, in thematic cartography teaching. The emphasis should be on using multivariate data and allowing infographics characteristics, thus fostering creativity and preparing students for a role in interdisciplinary data journalism teams.

Discover how to display and symbolize both 2D and 3D data. Search, access, and create new map symbols. Learn to specify and configure text symbols for your map. Complete your map by creating an effective layout to display and distribute your work.