title: Spacing of map scatter plot elements
body: <p>I have a dense scatter plot on a map (produced using Python, matplotlib, and basemap). Here is a part of the image:</p>
  
  <p><img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/oNBOC.png" alt="Dense Scatter Plot"></p>
  
  <p>I'd like to solve the overlap problem. I think the way to do this is to combine this simple lat/lon coordinate mapping with the technique I often see implemented in those "spring-loaded" network (social, not computer) graphs.</p>
  
  <p>Is there a simple existing algorithm to auto-magically move these points so that they are not overlapping? If so, I can easily than add a small line from each point to its the correct lat/lon coordinate where it is currently located.</p>
  
  <p>Note: Hexbin and heatmap is not a solution since the discrete values are important and should not be compromised.</p>