MapTiler is a Swiss provider of custom
online maps
Web mapping or an online mapping is the process of using, creating, and distributing maps on the World Wide Web (the Web), usually through the use of Web geographic information systems (Web GIS). A web map or an online map is both served and con ...
for websites and applications.
History
MapTiler was one of the companies pioneering map tile implementation.
It started as an
open source
Open source is source code that is made freely available for possible modification and redistribution. Products include permission to use and view the source code, design documents, or content of the product. The open source model is a decentrali ...
software product in 2008 used by libraries to turn digitised paper
maps
A map is a symbolic depiction of interrelationships, commonly spatial, between things within a space. A map may be annotated with text and graphics. Like any graphic, a map may be fixed to paper or other durable media, or may be displayed on ...
into
tiled web map
A tiled web map or tile map (also known as slippy map in OpenStreetMap), is a web map displayed by seamlessly joining dozens of individually requested data files, called "tiles". It is the most popular way to display and navigate maps, replacing ...
s.
MapTiler converts data into tiles that can be used as a
slippy map on a website.
A set of tiles is created for each zoom level along with an
XML
Extensible Markup Language (XML) is a markup language and file format for storing, transmitting, and reconstructing data. It defines a set of rules for encoding electronic document, documents in a format that is both human-readable and Machine-r ...
file.
By 2018, MapTiler had become a maps
API
An application programming interface (API) is a connection between computers or between computer programs. It is a type of software interface, offering a service to other pieces of software. A document or standard that describes how to build ...
with the capability of providing ad-free personalised maps in both online and offline environments.
These developments along with the inclusion of
satellite imagery
Satellite images (also Earth observation imagery, spaceborne photography, or simply satellite photo) are images of Earth collected by imaging satellites operated by governments and businesses around the world. Satellite imaging companies sell im ...
from
Sentinel-2
Sentinel-2 is an Earth observation mission from the Copernicus Programme that acquires optical imagery at high spatial resolution (10 m to 60 m) over land and coastal waters. The mission's Sentinel-2A and Sentinel-2B satellites were joined in or ...
and
Airbus
Airbus SE ( ; ; ; ) is a Pan-European aerospace corporation. The company's primary business is the design and manufacturing of commercial aircraft but it also has separate Airbus Defence and Space, defence and space and Airbus Helicopters, he ...
led to them being winners of the Airbus Multi-Data Challenge organised as part of the Copernicus Masters 2018.
Data sources and technology
The maps provided by MapTiler are created using open data sources, such as
OpenStreetMap
OpenStreetMap (abbreviated OSM) is a free, Open Database License, open geographic database, map database updated and maintained by a community of volunteers via open collaboration. Contributors collect data from surveying, surveys, trace from Ae ...
and
ESA,
and from purchased proprietary data sources, such as
Maxar Technologies
Maxar Technologies Inc. is an American space technology company headquartered in Westminster, Colorado, United States, specializing in geospatial intelligence, Earth observation, and on-orbit servicing satellites, satellite products, and relate ...
.
The original MapTiler software for turning raster images and vector geographical data into map tiles for interactive maps became MapTiler Desktop
References
External links
Official Site
{{OpenStreetMap
2018 establishments in Switzerland
Application programming interfaces
Companies based in Zug
Software companies established in 2018
Web mapping
Web Map Services