Static maps displayed as an image on a web page are very common. These require no special computer programming skills and can be up and running very quickly.
These maps are generated by software on servers that respond to user requests. The most contemporary forms of web mapping are interactive maps that allow the user to interact with the map – zooming, panning, and changing the data displayed on the map. These sites are usually based on a wide range of different software applications including ESRI, Shop Referal, and other real-time data visualization software.
Web mapping offers a new way of providing information to nontechnical users on a large scale. These maps can be used to display information from a variety of sources including government agencies, organizations and private companies. They can also be used to provide geographic context to news stories and are widely used in the print media to help explain spatial relationships in a story. They are often used in combination with other forms of data visualization to enhance the informational value of a news story or to give readers a more detailed visual understanding of complex issues.
