Online atlases and maps

Online atlases extend the printed map into an interactive medium. Where a paper atlas fixes a region at a single scale on a page, a web map lets the user pan across the surface and zoom continuously from a view of the whole world down to an individual street. The display is assembled from tiles or vector data drawn at the chosen zoom level, so the amount of detail shown adapts automatically as the user moves closer to or further from the ground.

Several map types serve different needs. General reference maps and digital globes give an overview of countries, oceans and terrain. Street maps concentrate on the road network, building blocks and place names of towns and cities. Route planners add a layer of analysis: given a start and a destination, they compute a path across the road network and estimate distance and travel time, often offering alternatives for cars, public transport, cycling or walking. Many services also provide aerial and satellite imagery as an alternative to the drawn map.

Because the underlying data is stored digitally, online maps can be searched by place name or address, annotated with markers, and kept current more easily than a printed edition. Some sites also offer downloadable maps — static images or printable sheets — for use offline or in documents. The accuracy of any map still depends on how recently its source data was collected and updated.

Frequently asked questions

How does an online map differ from a printed atlas?

An online map lets the user zoom and pan continuously and search by name, adjusting detail to the zoom level, whereas a printed atlas fixes each region at one scale per page.

What does a route planner do?

It calculates a path between a start and a destination across the road or transport network and estimates the distance and travel time, often suggesting alternative routes.

What is the difference between a street map and a satellite view?

A street map is a drawn diagram emphasising roads and place names; a satellite or aerial view is a photographic image of the actual ground surface.