Map Layers

Map layers can come in various formats, each with its own advantages and nuances:

• GeoJSON This is a format for encoding a variety of geographic data structures. It supports point, line, and polygon geometries, making it a versatile choice for map layers.
• KML Short for Keyhole Markup Language, KML is an XML-based format for expressing geographic annotation and visualization. It is commonly used with Google Earth and other Google tools.
• Shapefile This format is widely used in GIS (Geographic Information System) software. It organizes geospatial data into a vector format that can be used to create map layers.
• GML Stands for Geography Markup Language, GML is an XML-based format for encoding geographic information, including both the geometry and properties of geographic features.

Choosing the right format for the map layers depends on your specific needs and the tools one is using. For my use case, I’m focusing on GeoJSON. This format comes with good javascript and database support, which are two important factors for the map I am working on. GeoJSON can not only store the geometries of a layer, but also data relating to these layers. This can be anything, but a typical structure for an OSM location may look like this:

{
  "type": "Feature",
  "geometry": {
    "type": "Point",
    "coordinates": [16.3725, 48.208889]
  },
  "properties": {
    "name": "Stephansdom",
    "type": "cathedral",
    "amenity": "place_of_worship",
    "website": "<https://www.stephanskirche.at>",
    "osm_id": "way/17405764"
  }
}

As described earlier, map layers can generally be divided up into three different types or geometries:

• Point A point is a geographical coordinate – a single location in a coordinate space. It is defined by a pair of coordinates (longitude and latitude). Usage of the point geometry may include representing individual locations such as specific addresses, a landmark, or a point of interest.

{
  "type": "Point",
  "coordinates": [102.0, 0.5]
}

• Line(String) A LineString represents a series of connected points, forming a continuous line. It is defined by an array of two or more coordinate pairs. Lines can represent linear features such as roads, rivers, paths, or routes.

{
  "type": "LineString",
  "coordinates": [
    [102.0, 0.0],
    [103.0, 1.0],
    [104.0, 0.0],
    [105.0, 1.0]
  ]
}

• Polygon A Polygon represents an area enclosed by a series of connected points, forming a closed loop. It is defined by an array of LinearRings, where the first and last coordinate pairs must be the same to close the loop. The outer LinearRing represents the boundary of the polygon, and additional LinearRings can represent holes or voids within the polygon. Polygons show areas such as country boundaries, lakes, parks, building footprints, and any other spatial areas.

{
  "type": "Polygon",
  "coordinates": [
    [
      [100.0, 0.0],
      [101.0, 0.0],
      [101.0, 1.0],
      [100.0, 1.0],
      [100.0, 0.0]
    ],
    [
      [100.2, 0.2],
      [100.8, 0.2],
      [100.8, 0.8],
      [100.2, 0.8],
      [100.2, 0.2]
    ]
  ]
}

Vanlifezone Layers

For Vanlifezone, I gathered information from other similar services, google maps, and OSM to create a list of layers that I want to include.

These layers will be sourced mainly from OSM. The next step will be to see how this data is best brought into Mapbox, while still staying editable and consumable. Mapbox already includes almost all of OSM’s data, however properties on certain nodes, such as opening hours, are not included in Mapbox’s dataset.

Mapbox Layers

Mapbox is a powerful mapping and location platform that provides developers with the tools they need to create interactive maps and incorporate them into their applications. It uses vector tiles, which are highly efficient and flexible, allowing for smooth zooming and fast loading of maps. Mapbox also offers various customization options, allowing developers to alter the style and appearance of their maps to fit their specific needs.

Mapbox provides an API that developers can use to interact with the service and include it in their applications. This API provides access to various services, including geocoding (converting addresses to geographic coordinates), directions, and more. It also allows developers to add interactive features to their maps, such as markers, popups, and user interactions (like clicking or hovering).

In the case of this blog post, Mapbox is being used to display map layers that are sourced mainly from OSM. The data from OSM is imported into Mapbox, where it can be styled and manipulated to create my desired map.