1. A method of visualizing biological data using component plane presentation comprising the following steps: (a) providing a matrix of clustered multidimensional biological data where the rows (or the columns) of the matrix are map units representing clusters of individuals mapped to that map unit and the corresponding columns (or rows) represent the components of the data clustering; (b) presenting the clustered biological data as a neighborhood map comprised of the map units where similar data is mapped to the same or nearby neighboring map units; and (c) shading the map units of the neighborhood map according to the value of a select component of the data cluster represented by the map unit to provide a component plane presentation to visualize the biological data.