What is a map background?

It is the canvas used to display data on. Your map background gives geographical context and enables you to position yourself in terms of scale and location. For optimal results, your map background needs to be selected carefully depending on the type of data being showcased and the question you want answered.

Satellite imagery is powerful when observing growing cityscapes, land development and our impact as humans on the landscape over time. There is also the quality of imagery one needs to keep in mind. How time-sensitive is the data you want to interrogate? Satellite imagery alone might give you the wrong answer, that is why it is important to back up the visuals of the map with accurate and verified data like roads, addresses and points of interest or landmarks.

Vector maps are useful if you need a quick view of man-made features and don’t need to interrogate the landscape. Its main purpose is to summarise the landscape and assist the user to orientate themselves and discover locations. Vector maps can be customised, and the level of detail you want to show on the map is entirely up to you. Ultimately, the question you need answered will determine the type of map background you would need to showcase your data on.