Web Mapping and Web Cartography

Abstract

This chapter explains the essence of mapping across the Internet, typical applications, and the Extensible Markup Language (XML) Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) dialect, which is the language most widely used to transmit high-quality vector graphics across the web. The origins of web mapping are discussed in the beginning. Web mapping is based on the invention of the World Wide Web and on a set of Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) standards of which the Web Map Server (WMS) is the best known. Open-source products such as the University of Minnesota (UMN) map server and commercial software such as ArcIMS made web mapping very popular. Though maps are available almost in real time, the bandwidth of the Internet is sometimes not wide enough and slows down the process. There are also open copyright and privacy issues. The different types of web maps are discussed, and the web mapping architecture is outlined. Thereafter, typical applications are presented, such as real-time mapping, location-based services, and urban or regional planning. Regarding vector maps, SVG is the most appropriate language for web mapping. All modern browsers support SVG technology. The chapter explains the details of this language. The painterʼs model of SVG refers to the principle that the last transmitted element is displayed on top of the others. SVG provides a wide toolbox regarding geometry, text and fonts, opacity, filtering, styling, interactivity, scripting, and animation. SVG is extensible towards foreign namespaces in order to include application-dependent extensions.