Aviation hubs and their routes
Two layers from one dataset: hubs as points, connections as lines, drawn in a single coordinated view. Layering is what turns a plot into an argument, and it is the reason a layer tree rather than a single style dialog is the right interface.
Start an editable copy with this data and your current map styling.
What to look at
- Two layers in one view: lines underneath, hub markers on top.
- Draw order is explicit, so markers are never buried by routes.
- Both layers share a legend, so the reader learns the encoding once.
Source columns
These fields describe the example data. CSV and Excel use first-row headers; GIS formats store geometry and feature properties. Required geometry depends on the map type.
| Column | Type | Example |
|---|---|---|
| from | text | Dubai |
| to | text | Nairobi |
| passengers_m | number | 8.2 |
Rebuild it with your own data
- 1
Get your CSV file ready
The example fields are from, to, passengers_m. For CSV or Excel, put headers in the first row. GIS files carry geometry and feature properties. Prepare any grid, catchment or route geometry before import.
- 2
Drop it into the studio
MapCrafter detects the geometry, counts the features, and shows the layers it found.
- 3
Style the imported layer
Pick which column drives colour, and which drives size or width where relevant.
- 4
Pick a basemap theme
Graphite is used here. 15 other basemaps are available, including official OpenFreeMap styles. Switch using Layers & basemap.
- 5
Share or export
Publish a link, embed the map, or export a PNG at print resolution.
Questions about this example
- What file format does this network map use?
- This example illustrates CSV data. The live preview uses GeoJSON geometry. MapCrafter reads CSV directly, along with Excel, CSV, KML, KMZ, GPX, GeoJSON, TopoJSON and zipped Shapefile. No conversion step and no desktop software.
- What columns does the source data need?
- The file used here has 3 columns: from, to, passengers_m. For tabular imports, supply coordinate columns, WKT or GeoJSON geometry, or address columns for an explicit geocoding step. Polygon and line files carry their geometry separately from these attributes.
- Can I use my own data with this map type?
- Yes. Open the studio, drop in your file, and MapCrafter detects the geometry and applies a starting style. Then style the layer and choose which property drives colour, size or width. The studio can render a point heatmap, but grids, routes and catchment polygons must be prepared before import.
- Can I export or share the finished map?
- Each map can be published to a short share link, embedded in another page with an iframe, or exported as a print-resolution PNG. The cleaned-up geometry can also be exported as GeoJSON. All of that is available on the free tier.
- Where does the data in this example come from?
- Real hub coordinates; route volumes are synthetic.
More route maps examples
Gallery (314)- CSVFlight routes from an origin-destination tableRoutes drawn from a table with from and to columns, matched against a built-in place index. Origin-destination tables are the most common shape of transport data, and requiring pre-built line geometry rules out most of it.
- GPXGPS tracks in the AlpsRecorded tracks from a GPX file, coloured by activity type. GPX is the one format that arrives with lines already, so the import path is short — but elevation, timestamps and activity type all need somewhere to live.
- KMLIntercity rail linesA network diagram in geographic space, with line weight carrying service frequency. Line width is a free visual channel that most tools leave unused, and it is the right one when the data is a count of something moving along the line.
Last updated 2026-10-22