Scientific visualization may be defined as the transformation of
numerical scientific data into informative graphical displays. The text
introduces a nonverbal model to subdisciplines that until now has mostly
employed mathematical or verbal-conceptual models. The focus is on how
scientific visualization can help revolutionize the manner in which the
tendencies for (dis)similar numerical values to cluster together in
location on a map are explored and analyzed. In doing so, the concept
known as spatial autocorrelation - which characterizes these
tendencies - is further demystified.