The Tile-Based Mapping Transition in Cartography

Abstract

Arguably, the major development of the first two decades of maps and the Internet is a method of map distribution that divides the map into smaller tiles. The tiling of maps along with a more interactive form of communication with a server called AJAX transformed the online mapping experience. Soon after the method was introduced through Google Maps, all other online map providers switched to the new form of map distribution. The introduction of Application Programmer Interfaces that allowed user information to be added to the maps solidified this form of online map presentation. Whether for good or bad, online mapping is currently in a tile-based era and will likely be so for the foreseeable future. The method is examined more closely along with the potential for adding user-defined maps.