Basemap Evolution in Multi-Scale Cartography

Abstract

New features of web technologies determine the rapid development of web mapping and web mapping design. Many users use web maps not only in the traditional senseground navigation, but also as a background for their own services showing on the basemap different user-generated content, statistical information, media content. Today, the developers of such services have the option of using resources not only of many web portals with online maps, but also the option to select different basemaps such web portals have. Today is a rare user of mapping API or web-GIS aims to create own basemap. He rather connects to the existing one and «changes» it, applying own objects, thematic layers, and other information over the top of it. Therefore, he is interested in the mapping service that provides to him either a universal solution (one-map-fits-all), or the ability to choose a basemap, which will be well suited to the presentation of user's own data. The obvious question isdoes it make sense to classify basemaps and limit their number on the web service, or allow any thematic map function as a basemap?