Visualising spatial data
High level programming languages like e.g. Python, Matlab, R, IDL allow for the easy generation of maps by using specific modules. Alternatives to produce maps is special commerical or non-commercial software like e.g. ArcGIS, Generic mapping tool (GMT), ...
Map and projection basics
How to do it in Python
There are different ways to generate maps with geographic information within Python. These are either based on the PyNGL (Gallery) or Basemap packages.
Define projection
References: