WebGIS

WebGIS is the integration of geographic information systems and web technologies to store, manage, analyze, and visualize geospatial data in web browsers and applications. It enables interactive maps, spatial queries, and collaborative data sharing across organizations and the public.

A typical WebGIS consists of a client-side map application, server-side geospatial services, and data stores. The client renders maps and tools for panning, zooming, querying, and editing. The server may provide map imagery through standards such as WMS and WMTS, vector data via WFS or REST APIs, and perform server-side analytics. Data may reside in spatial databases such as PostGIS or in file formats. Rendering often uses tile or vector-tile delivery to optimize performance.

Interoperability is supported by standards from the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) and data formats like GeoJSON. Web GIS commonly relies on JavaScript libraries such as OpenLayers or Leaflet for the client, and may use frameworks or platforms that expose RESTful endpoints. Security, access control, and licensing are important considerations when sharing geospatial data online.

Common applications include urban and regional planning, infrastructure management, environmental monitoring, disaster response, transportation logistics, public health, and tourism-oriented mapping.

Advantages include broad accessibility, easier collaboration, and the ability to distribute up-to-date data widely. Limitations involve dependence on network connectivity, performance considerations for large datasets, privacy and security concerns, licensing issues, and the need for ongoing governance and maintenance.

Typical toolchains range from open‑source stacks (PostGIS, GeoServer, OpenLayers or Leaflet) to commercial platforms (ArcGIS Online, Mapbox, Google Maps Platform).