Osm

OpenStreetMap (OSM) is a collaborative project to create a free, editable map of the world. It relies on volunteers who collect data using GPS devices, aerial imagery, and local knowledge, then contribute it to a shared map database that anyone can use, modify, and distribute.

OSM was launched in 2004 by Steve Coast in the United Kingdom and is now overseen by the OpenStreetMap Foundation, a non-profit organization that coordinates development and licensing. The data contributed to the OSM database is licensed under the Open Data Commons Open Database License (ODbL), which requires attribution and that derived data be shared under the same terms. The project also maintains a separate tile usage policy for map displays to manage server load; heavy usage typically requires running a personal tile server or using alternative providers.

Data in OSM is modeled with elements called nodes, ways, and relations, each carrying tags as key=value pairs that describe features such as highways, buildings, and amenities. Edits can be made with web-based editors like iD or desktop tools such as JOSM, and changes are propagated through the global editing community.

OSM data is widely used for navigation, cartography, humanitarian response, and geospatial analysis. Its openness enables diverse applications, but data completeness and accuracy vary by location, reflecting contributor activity and local mapping efforts.