> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://vikram-bajaj.gitbook.io/cs-gy-6313-information-visualization/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://vikram-bajaj.gitbook.io/cs-gy-6313-information-visualization/geo-visualization/geo-visualization-techniques/hexbin-maps.md).

# Hexbin Maps

These maps are also used to depict a distribution. They are used when heat maps cannot be used.

![](https://612062878-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-M5-0RG_uqhxyMNjpMUW%2F-M5-0SvQ45Rarxg8L2lA%2F-M5-0V9GyPg9VHhJ4xIW%2Fhexbin.png?generation=1586990823597195\&alt=media)

A geographical area is partitioned (*discretized*) into **hexagons**. Hexagons are used because they are the best shape that allows us to create contiguous areas, while dividing the space into discrete units.

Color maps can be used in hexbin maps as well.

![](https://612062878-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-M5-0RG_uqhxyMNjpMUW%2F-M5-0SvQ45Rarxg8L2lA%2F-M5-0V9ICmTqREwcXjxZ%2Fhexbin_color.png?generation=1586990823349169\&alt=media)

Hexbins can also be used with **categorical information**, unlike heat maps.

![](https://612062878-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-legacy-files/o/assets%2F-M5-0RG_uqhxyMNjpMUW%2F-M5-0SvQ45Rarxg8L2lA%2F-M5-0V9KK-Spj0dqLBgH%2Fhexbin_categorical.png?generation=1586990823645940\&alt=media)