There are many cloud web map APIs available to embed mapping directly into a web application or web site. Services are available from Google Maps, Bing Maps, ESRI ArcGIS Online, MapQuest and many smaller vendors such as GIS Cloud. This is the first in a series of articles from Georelated providing a summary of some of the major cloud services, their capabilities and key differentiators. The articles are aimed at a technical audience of architects or developers.
This article examines Google Maps API. Google Maps API v3 provides a Javascript and Flash RIA controls, web services and embeddable Google Earth. It supplies base mapping and geocoding data within the service.
