Map making, made easy
Soon, scholars worldwide will have an easier time creating, publishing, and sharing maps and other geospatial data, thanks to the release of WorldMap, an open source software platform that fills the growing niche between desktop mapping applications and more lightweight, nimble Web solutions. Developed by Harvard’s Center for Geographic Analysis, WorldMap allows scholars to share access to view and edit geospatial information. Unlike similar tools, WorldMap allows the use of large, detailed datasets, and supports a number of formats. First released in beta last July, the software already boasts 1,250 users from more than 100 countries. Users have contributed more than 1,700 mapping layers and created more than 500 map collections to support their research. The bulk of the best geographic data resides outside any single institution. WorldMap takes a unique approach to this challenge by providing the global community with a platform to meet its needs. By so doing, the system increases...