MAPelement

MapElement, or mapelement, is a generic term used in cartography and geographic information systems to denote a discrete component that can be displayed on a map. It describes objects that carry spatial or descriptive information, including geographic features, markers, labels, overlays, and annotations. In software and data models, a map element is typically represented as a data object with geometry and attributes.

In data models, a map element usually has an identifier, a geometry that defines its shape or location (such as point, line, or polygon), and a properties field containing metadata like name, type, or timestamp. These elements are often organized into layers or collections and may carry style information for rendering (color, width, opacity).

Common types of map elements include points for locations, polylines for routes, polygons for areas, and text labels anchored to coordinates. In formats such as GeoJSON or KML, map elements are expressed as features or placemarks; in map rendering libraries they appear as markers, lines, or polygons when drawn on a map canvas.

Map elements are central to mapping workflows, enabling querying, styling, interaction, and data interchange. They are linked to layers, tiles, and projections within a larger geographic information system. While mapelement is not a formal standard name, the concept appears across many ecosystems to describe the drawable or queryable unit on a map.