Folium

TL;DR

• A Python library for building interactive, Leaflet-based web maps.
• Lets you visualize spatial data and create dynamic, user-interactive maps.
• Useful for enhancing the presentation and analysis of geographical information.

Definition

Folium is a powerful Python library that allows users to create beautiful and interactive leaflet maps. This library utilizes the Leaflet.js JavaScript library, which is widely used for creating web-based maps.

Explanation

Folium provides tools to render spatial data onto maps and to produce interactive map visualizations that can be embedded in web pages. It supports visual exploration of geographic distributions (for example, mapping locations and counts from a dataset) and can generate maps that update or respond to user input (for example, filtering displayed points). Folium is suitable for improving the aesthetics and interactivity of web-based maps and for communicating and analyzing geographical information.

Examples

Disease distribution map

If a dataset contains the location and number of cases of a certain disease in different regions, folium can create a map that shows the distribution of the disease. This visualization helps quickly identify areas where the disease is more prevalent and supports taking necessary action to prevent its spread.

Dynamic coffee-shop map

Folium can create dynamic maps that update or change based on user input or data changes. For example, a map showing locations of different coffee shops in a city can allow users to filter results by criteria such as type of coffee or price range, helping users find shops that meet their preferences.

Use cases

• Visualizing spatial data on maps
• Creating dynamic, interactive maps that respond to user input or data changes
• Enhancing the aesthetics of web-based map presentations
• Communicating and analyzing geographical information

Related terms

• Leaflet.js
• web-based maps
• spatial data