A heat map (or heatmap) is a geographical representation of data where the individual values contained in a matrix are represented as colors. The term 'heat map' was originally coined and trademarked by software designer Cormac Kinney in 1991, to describe a 2D display depicting financial market information, though similar plots such as shading matrices have existed for over a century. - Wikipedia

A Geographical Heat Map is a powerful visualization tool that helps represent data concentration across various regions, areas, and locations. By using different colors and gradations, it provides immediate visual insights into the highest areas of activity or interest.

This tool is particularly beneficial in supporting strategic decision-making processes. Whether you're considering the placement of new stores, transport hubs, distribution centers, offices, or shopping malls, a geographical heat map can guide you towards the areas with the most potential. It also assists in determining where and how resources should be allocated, promoting efficiency and effectiveness.

One of the standout benefits of a geographical heat map is its visual simplicity and directness. It communicates complex data in an easy-to-understand format, making it accessible to everyone, regardless of their data literacy levels. This ease of comprehension makes a heat map an excellent tool for building consensus among diverse groups, as it presents clear, visually compelling evidence that can persuade an audience.

Heat map, as well as cluster map, is an automatic feature available to every location map. Once a location map is created, you can easily switch between different views to get new perspectives.

Maply gives you finer controls on the look and feel of your heat maps through a control panel. You can adjust the radius, opacity and color gradient schemes to suit your needs.

Maply supports weighted heat map from location layer. By default, each location will have a weight of 1. Applying a weight to a data point will cause the location to be rendered with a different intensity. The weight is a linear scale. Having a weight of 3, for example, is same as having three data points at the location.

To create weighted heat maps, download Location Layer Excel template (Advanced - with weight and remarks) should be used to create the location map.