Scatter Maps for Point-Based Geo Analysis
Plot specific locations with Scatter Maps. Use bubbles on maps to visualize value at city or coordinate level, avoiding area bias.
Scatter Maps (or Bubble Maps) combine the geographic context of a map with the precision of a scatter/bubble chart. Instead of shading the entire region (like a Choropleth map), they plot bubbles over specific coordinates (Latitude/Longitude) or Region Centroids. The size of the bubble represents the metric. This mitigates the "Area Bias" of standard maps where large landmasses dominate visual attention.
Edilitics allows you to overlay these data points on vector maps using your governed datasets for precise geolocation analysis.
When to Use a Scatter Map
| Use Case | Why This Chart Works |
|---|---|
| City-Level Data | Plotting specific cities (not states) where you have stores or users. |
| Mitigating Area Bias | Visualizing sales in small but dense regions (e.g., Singapore, NYC) without them being invisible. |
| Site Selection | Plotting exact coordinates of potential new office locations. |
| Multivariate Geo | Using Size for Revenue and Color for Profit on the same location point. |
Chart Configuration in Edilitics
Inputs Required
| Data Type | Required Count | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions (Columns) | 1 | Location Name or coordinates. |
| Metrics (Rows) | 1 - 2 | 1st Metric: Bubble Size. 2nd Metric: Color (optional). |
How to Configure a Scatter Map
- Select "Scatter Map" from the Chart Library.
- Select Base Map: Choose World, Country, etc.
- Assign Location:
- Drag "City" or "Lat/Long" to the location input.
- Assign Metrics:
- Drag metric to Size (e.g.,
Sales). - Drag metric to Color (e.g.,
Profit).
- Drag metric to Size (e.g.,
- Sizing:
- Adjust Max Symbol Size to prevent large bubbles from overlapping too much.
- Animation (Ripple):
- Enable "Ripple Effect" on top-5 values to create a pulsing animation that draws attention to key locations immediately.
Feature Highlights
Ripple Effect
- A specialized visualization mode that adds a "breathing" animation to points. Excellent for "Live Activity" dashboards or highlighting urgent alerts on a map.
Latitude/Longitude Support
- Unlike choropleth maps which are bound to administrative borders, Scatter Maps support exact coordinate plotting for precise logistics or infrastructure mapping.
Hybrid Visualization
- Combine standard map shading (background) with Scatter points (foreground) to show context (e.g., Region Potential) vs Actuals (Store Performance).
Best Practices for Scatter Maps
| Practice | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Use Transparency | Bubbles in dense areas (like Europe or US East Coast) will overlap. Alpha transparency helps visualize density. |
| Scale Appropriately | Ensure the bubble size scale isn't too extreme, or small cities will vanish. |
| Highlight Top N | Use the Ripple effect only for the Top 5 or 10 items to avoid a chaotic, blinking dashboard. |
| Geography Context | Ensure the base map (background) provides enough contrast so the bubbles stand out. |
How Edilitics Is Different
Unlike tools that require precise latitude/longitude data, Edilitics makes Scatter Maps accessible:
-
Automatic Geocoding: Region names (e.g., "Paris") are automatically translated to coordinates using our internal centroid database.
-
No Lat/Long Required: Create Scatter Maps from messy business data just as easily as choropleth maps.
-
Hybrid Mode: Combine standard map shading (background) with scatter points (foreground) for layered analysis.
-
Ripple Animations: Highlight urgent alerts or live activity with built-in ripple effects.
This allows point-based geographic visualization without GIS expertise.
Scatter Maps bring precision to geography. They allow you to see the exact points of interest without being distracted by political borders or land area.
Need help? Email support@edilitics.com with your workspace, job ID, and context. We reply within one business day.
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