Minard's Map

Minard's Map, created by Charles Minard in 1869, visually represents Napoleon's 1812 invasion of Russia. It is notable for combining several data types: it shows the army's troop numbers as a diminishing line, the path of their movement, geographic locations, and temperature fluctuations. The thickness of the line indicates the size of the army at different points, illustrating the severe losses suffered due to battles, starvation, and harsh winter. This map is praised for its clarity and effectiveness in conveying complex data in a simple, compelling visual format, making it a pioneering example of data visualization.