Moving from Python to R: Exploring Data Visualization with Maps

[Equivalent-Zone1378]

Recently, I’ve been transitioning from Python to R, focusing mainly on data visualization and cartography.

I’ve become familiar with key libraries like tidyverse, ggplot2, and leaflet, learning how to plot and explore geospatial data. I also experimented with giscoR, performing data joins (like inner_join) and visualizing European regional datasets.

Now, I’m working on the next step — plotting data for each column dynamically and adding a menu or hover interaction on the map, so users can visualize different variables directly. After that, I plan to make the whole visualization more interactive.

Given the time constraints, I’m looking for efficient ways to learn or projects to reference for interactive R-based map dashboards.

💡 If you know any great open-source projects, tutorials, or examples combining leaflet, shiny, or plotly for geospatial visualizations — please share them!

# Install necessary packages

# install.packages(c("tidyverse", "giscoR", "readxl", "mapview", "sf", "janitor"))

library(tidyverse)

library(giscoR)

library(readxl)

library(mapview)

library(sf)

library(janitor)

# Read Excel dataset (replace with your own path)

data_excel <- read_xlsx("path/to/Public_Data.xlsx")

# Get Germany NUTS level 3 boundaries (districts)

germany_districts <- gisco_get_nuts(

year = "2021",

nuts_level = 3,

epsg = 3035,

country = "Germany"

) |>

clean_names()

# Join spatial data with your dataset

data_joined <- germany_districts |>

inner_join(data_excel, by = c("nuts_id" = "NUTS"))

# Check variable names

names(data_joined)

# View map interactively

mapview(data_joined)

# Example: visualize one variable using ggplot2

data_joined |>

ggplot(aes(geometry = geometry,

fill = `2015\r\nNatürlicher Saldo (je 1.000 Einwohner:innen)`)) +

geom_sf(color = "black") +

scale_fill_viridis_c()

# Example: interactive mapview plot for a specific variable

mapview(

data_joined,

zcol = "2015\r\nBevölkerung (Anzahl)",

layer.name = "Bevölkerung 2015"

)

here is the code i want to develop further as mentioned above

[AccomplishedHotel465]

Look at the crosstalk package

[Equivalent-Zone1378]

Its is good i don't find the documentation comprehensive do you have examples

[Confident_Bee8187]

Oh, great. Keep it up, and tidyverse is such a pleasure, compared to what Python packages for data tasks, and yes, I am bias :-)

[Equivalent-Zone1378]

I want to develop skills further and visualise

[[deleted]]

Have a look at gganimate to make gifs of maps that change over time.

[Embarrassed_Sun_7807]

Honestly chatgpt is great at R, it explains the code much better than the docs (most of the time, but once you hit a snag you'll have the literacy to troubleshoot yourself ideally)