The Tile-Based Mapping Transition in Cartography - Maps for the Future Children Education and Internet - page 151

Chapter 13
The Tile-Based Mapping Transition
in Cartography

Michael P. Peterson

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.

13.1 Introduction

Maps became a major component of the online information landscape in 1993 after
graphical illustrations could be added to World Wide Web pages (Peterson 2003 ).
All types of maps became easily available, from subway maps of cities to maps of
the moon. Map users could even choose between alternative representations of the
same environment and determine the one that best suited their needs. Interactive
sites made it possible to center the map on an area of interest and include features
requested by the user.
The nearly two decades since 1993 can be seen as a period of discovery as map
providers tried different ways to make use of the new medium. Paper maps were
initially scanned. Then, cartographers alternated between various vector and raster
formats and forms of interactivity. A major goal was to increase the speed of map