The final plot is an interactive map centered on Chicago, utilizing Folium's mapping capabilities. This visualization distinctly marks three different types of attractions: zoos, aquariums, and museums, each represented by unique icons and colors for clear differentiation. Zoos are denoted with a green paw icon, aquariums with a blue fish icon, and museums are clustered together and symbolized by a red university icon.
The use of color-coding and distinct icons is an effective visual strategy for quick recognition and helps in distinguishing between the different categories of attractions at a glance. Zoos and aquariums are added directly to the map to highlight their specific locations, while museums are clustered to avoid overplotting and to manage the density of markers in areas where multiple museums are in close proximity. The clustering provides a cleaner visualization and improves the user experience by decluttering the map, which would otherwise be overwhelmed with markers in museum-dense regions.
The legend is a crucial component of the map, positioned fixedly at the bottom left corner. It provides a concise explanation of the icons with an accompanying label, enhancing the user's ability to understand what each marker represents without the need for further instructions. This feature ensures that the map is informative and user-friendly.
By including a control scale, users can gauge distances and the spatial relationships between attractions. The choice of the 'cartodbpositron' tile base offers a neutral, unobtrusive background that ensures the colorful markers stand out, making the map visually appealing and functionally effective for users seeking to explore Chicago's zoos, aquariums, and museums.