Abstract: The current invention provides both location and magnitude representations in a geographic information system (GIS) environment. To indicate the locations, symbols are plotted on a map. To indicate magnitude, repeated symbols are stacked on top of each other. The higher the stack of symbols, the bigger the magnitude. The number of symbols to be stacked will be proportional to any scaling scheme. The position or coordinate of the symbols to be stacked will be based on any mathematical function. The size the symbols to be stacked will be based on any mathematical function. The color of the symbols to be stacked will be based on any function applicable to color. The shape of the symbols to be stacked will be based on any function applicable to shape or object, or according to a look-up table.