Maps

CDP Data Visualization enables you to create Map visuals.

A geomap of a country, continent, or region superimposes measurement values onto a geographic map.

CDP Data Visualization has two basic geomap representation options:

A filled or choropleth map (Greek χώρο for area or region and πλήθος for multitude) shows geographical areas that are shaded in proportion to the value of the measurement that is displayed on the map.
tip
Consider the following when building choropleth maps:
- Use choropleth maps when your data are attached to enumeration units, such as counties, countries, zipcodes, and so on.
- Standardize data to show rates and ratios instead of raw data counts. For example, instead of plotting gross GDP, plot GDP per Capita.
- Use choropleth maps when you have data with continuous statistical surface. For example, Population is a count and representing it in colored map may be misleading. Population density is a ratio with a continuous statistical surface (even where 0 represents unpopulated areas); so it can be used in choropleth maps.
A geomap with symbols or marks, such as bubbles, superimposes these symbols onto a geographical map. By default, the area of the marks corresponds to the relative size of the measurement.

CDP Data Visualization supports the following geographical specifications by automatically recognizing them as qualified GEO dimensions inside the dataset:

country
state or province for United States and Canada, respectively
county, for United States only
zipcode or postal code for United States and Canada, respectively
longitude and latitude
DMA, for Nielsen Designated Market Area Regions, in United States

If the relevant field in your dataset is not named correctly, be sure to adjust it using the Change Type Geo Option, described in Change type. Note also that you must use Geo Type fields when limiting the Drill Into options. For more information, see Limiting drill into options.

To build the two types of map visuals with specified geographical units, follow the instructions for each option. Additionally, see the description on how to build a Trellised map.

For an overview of shelves that specify this visual, see Shelves for maps.