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Introduction
============

People often find it easier to learn visually. Colors and patterns can be easier
to interpret than words and numbers. Have you ever read an article that does not
include some form of picture, or graphic, or map? Visualizations make data easy
to access, make articles easy to read, and make findings easy to interpret.

**A data visualization is any visual representation of data.** Examples include:

-   Tables
-   Line graphs
-   Maps
-   Pie charts
-   Infographics

In this chapter, you will learn more about when to use different visualizations
and how to ensure that they effectively communicate data to your audience.
To start, take a look at the visualizations below. While reviewing them,
keep in mind what you like about them and what elements on them guide your 
understanding of their meaning.


Pie Chart 
=========

.. image:: figures/example_pie_chart.png
   :align: center
   :alt: An example pie chart visualization.
   
This pie chart example shows the proportion of the backgrounds for the most
influential artists of their time from different countries.

Table
=====

.. image:: figures/table_data_example.png
   :align: center
   :alt: An example table visualization.
   
This table holds standard information about people. Each column contains data
for a different category. 

Bar Chart
=========

.. image:: figures/bar_chart_example.png
   :align: center
   :alt: An example bar chart visualization. 

This figure holds information about the amount of trips and average fare
depending on the duration of taxi rides in Chicago.