Visualizing Data

Change the way data appears to explore spatial patterns

Table of contents
  1. Overview
  2. Vector symbology
  3. Raster symbology

Overview

The way geospatial data is styled - including its color, shape, and size - is called its symbology.

At its most basic, symbology can be set so that all the data appears exactly the same way. For example, we might map the US Census block groups in Massachusetts, and all the block groups are the same color: gray with a black outline.

Block groups in MA from the 2020 US Census, all styled as gray polygons

More advanced symbology will draw on the data itself to style the layer. For example, we might apply a color spectrum so that block groups with lower population densities are purple and higher population densities are yellow.

Block groups in MA from the 2020 US Census, using the Viridis color scheme to highlight areas with higher population density

Vector symbology

Vectors are neat because any data in their attribute tables can be used to change the symbology.

Raster symbology

Raster values can also be used to change the way the data is visualized.