What is OpenMaps?
OpenMaps is an open source web mapping platform built on top of OpenStreetMap data. It allows users to create custom maps by drawing on top of existing maps and adding their own annotations, text labels, and lines/shapes. These custom maps can then be exported, embedded on websites, or shared publicly for collaboration or viewing.
Some key features of OpenMaps include:
- Ability to draw points, lines, shapes, and text boxes on the map for annotation
- Customizable appearance of map elements including colors, line widths, icons, etc.
- Import/export map data in standard formats like GeoJSON
- Public URLs for sharing read-only views of custom maps
- User authorization system for managing edit permissions
- Tile serving for embedding maps in external websites
- Developer APIs for building mapping apps on top of the platform
As an open source project, OpenMaps benefits from contributions from developers worldwide. It is built to be easily extended and customized for niche mapping applications. The collaborative feature set facilitates uses like participatory mapping campaigns, interactive museum/campus maps, mapping assets for humanitarian organizations or crisis response, and more.