Using the Base Maps Widget in GIS

Base maps, also known as reference maps or "background layers," serve as a foundational geographic context in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). They provide an underlying layer of geographic information that enhances the interpretation of spatial data.

Base maps can include a variety of elements, such as geographic outlines, hydrography, administrative and political boundaries, road networks, and other features. Depending on the data source and the specific mapping service, base maps can be provided by online map providers (e.g., Google Maps, OpenStreetMap, ESRI) or developed independently.

Why Are Base Maps Important?

Base maps are used as a foundation for creating custom project layers. A well-chosen base map can help users analyze data more accurately and identify critical patterns. By serving as the visual backdrop, a base map enhances the audience's understanding of the presented information by providing essential geographic context.

Types of Base Maps and Their Applications

There are several types of base maps, each with its unique characteristics and applications:

1. Street Maps

Street maps are the most common type of base maps, displaying streets, roads, buildings, infrastructure, and other elements of urban environments. They are often used for navigation and location searches.

Applications: 

• Urban planning

• Agriculture

• Environmental monitoring

• Natural resource management

2. Satellite Maps

Satellite maps consist of Earth imagery captured by satellites. These maps provide detailed visualizations of landscapes, natural features, and geographic characteristics.

Applications: 

• Monitoring land cover

• Agriculture

• Forestry

• Urban development

• Environmental conservation (e.g., tracking natural disasters and climate change)

3. Topographic Maps

Topographic maps display landscapes using contours, elevation features, and other geographic elements to represent the Earth's surface.

Applications: 

• Land use planning

• Construction

• Geodesy 

• Expedition planning

• Geographic feature analysis

4. Political Maps

Political maps show geographic and political boundaries such as countries, regions, provinces, cities, and other territories.

Applications: 

• Studying political systems

• Historical events

• Changes in landscapes

• Boundary evolution

5. Thematic Maps

Thematic maps are focused on specific topics, such as weather, demographics, economic indicators, and environmental conditions.

Applications (Visualizing specialized data, such as):

• Healthcare policies

• Environmental planning

• Transportation development

• Sustainability initiatives

To select the appropriate base map, consider the goals and objectives of your project as well as its geographic context. A well-chosen base map enhances the clarity and effectiveness of your data visualization.

How to Use the Base Maps Widget in GISCARTA

GISCARTA includes a Base Maps widget to serve as the foundational layer for your projects.

Step 1: Enabling the Base Maps Widget

1. Open the Widgets section in the side menu.

2. Locate the Base Maps widget in the list and enable it by toggling the switch.

The widget will now appear in the toolbar at the bottom of the map workspace.

Step 2: Configuring the Widget

1. Go to the Widgets section in the side menu again and click the three dots next to the widget's toggle switch.

2. From the dropdown menu, select Configure.

By default, Esri Topo Map is selected as the base map.

Available Base Maps in GISCARTA

GISCARTA offers a variety of built-in base maps to suit different needs:

• OpenStreetMap: Includes OSM, OSM Topo, OSM HD, and OSM Humanitarian layers. These are publicly available maps created by a community of contributors.

• Esri Maps: Offers a range of options like World Topo Map, World Street Map, World Light Gray, World Dark Gray, World Physical, and World Ocean Base. These maps are provided by Esri, the developer of ArcGIS.

• Google Maps: Offers Google’s popular online map layers.

• USGS Maps: Satellite maps provided by the United States Geological Survey.

• Thematic Maps of Mars and Moon: Specialized maps for planetary exploration.

To enable a selected base map for your project, toggle the switch next to its name. Save your project to ensure the selected base map and its alternatives are displayed in the toolbar for easy access.

Adding Custom Base Maps

GISCARTA also supports the addition of custom base maps:

1. Click the Add Base Map button.

2. In the pop-up window, assign a name to the custom base map, provide the map URL, and add a preview URL. The preview URL is a thumbnail or image of the map that will be displayed in the widget settings.

Conclusion

Base maps are the foundation of any GIS project. They allow users to highlight important layers and information, emphasizing critical aspects of the project. Additionally, base maps enhance the visual appeal and coherence of the project, making it more stylish and polished.

With GISCARTA, you can select the perfect base map to meet your project's goals and add custom maps to further personalize your work. Base maps are not just a backdrop—they are an integral part of effective geographic storytelling.