What is OpenStreetMap?
Simply Wikipedia for maps. OpenStreetMap (OSM) is a map that anyone can edit, similar to Wikipedia, but not the same. Everything you see in the world could be in one map. Open-source, usable for everyone. Wheelmap helps people with disabilities and Kurviger can show routes for motorcyclists that are more curvy and outside of residential areas. There are many more examples how the data you contribute is used (just scroll down).
How is it different from Google Maps?
Google Maps is great but not open data. Are you allowed to print it commercially? No. Can you take the map data and create your own routing engine? No. Create your own map style from their data? Nope. Google has invested a lot of money to get all those building shapes, lakes and other geographical information. They won't share it and that's their right. But we believe that all of this information should be available in one big database free for everyone.
Isn't mapping complicated?
No. The world of OpenStreetMap consists of three basic elements. Points (nodes), lines (ways) and areas. They get their values through so called tags (like name=Golden Gate Bridge). For example a church could outlined as an area and tagged as:
name=Church of our Lady building=church amenity=place_of_worship religion=christian denomination=evangelical
We use nodes for shops, small features like fountains or bicycle repair stations. Ways for roads, paths, small waterways. Areas for forests, buildings and ponds.
How can I edit?
We have two main editors for armchair mapping. iD and JOSM. JOSM is an advanced standalone editor but it's better to have some experience before you begin mapping with it. I will focus on the browser based one called iD, which has a great tutorial. Another good learning source is LearnOSM.
Some tutorial videos:
To add things with your mobile phone you can use OsmAnd or Maps.me, which also displays the map you help to create. StreetComplete for Android to add information to existing stuff on OSM.
Some examples where your contributions appear:
Maps
- HikeBikeMap - hiking and cycling routes can be overlayed on the upper right
- OpenTopoMap - same as above, Topographic map, has contour lines
- Waymarked Trails - Hiking - Hiking trails, "clickable", .gpx Download, background can be changed to OpenTopoMap
- Waymarked Trails - Cycling - same as above for cycle ways
- OpenSeaMap - free nautical database
- OpenRailwayMap - the worlds railway infrastructure on one map
- OpenCycleMap - map made for cyclists, highlights cycle routes and pubs :D
- Flosm - search through informations (opening hours, telephone number...) of a lot of POIs on OpenStreetMap, see list on the left
- F4 map and OSMbuildings - both show map in 3D
- LiveMap24 - see public transport in realtime, clickable, uses open data from public transport services
- WheelMap - shows the wheelchair accessibility
- Historic Maps - a map that combines OpenStreetMap with Wikipedia, shows historic objects and old maps as overlay
- uMap - save markers, lines and shapes on different map styles, example: Map from /r/Castles
- ÖPNV-Karte - a visualisation of the mapped public transport in OSM
Apps (all work offline)
- OsmAnd - very advanced but strange GUI, shows public transport and hiking symbols, opening hours, etc, has routing, downloads offline wikipedia articles to objects, Android and iOS (less functions)
- Maps.me - fast, easy tool, no hiking tools, elementary routing, free, Android and iOS
- Locus Map - different map sources (also non-OSM like SwissOrdonance), has routing, Android only
- OSMScout - GPS app with routing and social functions for Ubuntu Phone, Windows Phone, Android and iOS
- OruxMaps - Map and sports tracker, can also connect with different bluetooth devices, Android
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Gaia GPS - app for hikers, with search for trails and worldwide satellite and topo maps (offline only for premium users)
Routing Services
- OpenRouteService - car, cycle and pedestrian routing with a lot of options, shows surface and type of used roads
- Brouter Web - fast router,shows height profile, where routing table can be changed by yourself
- GPSies - create tours for different transport modes, press "follow roads" to get routing feature, elevation profile, lot of map layers
- Kurviger - a route planner that prefers curvy roads and slopes, but avoid cities and highways, automatic round trips based on a given length
- Cycle.travel - a map made for cyclists, which has a routing and roundtrip feature, created by /u/doctor_fegg
- FacilMap - planning tours collaborative with multiple map sources and elevation profiles
Printing OpenStreetMap Maps
- MapOSMatic - printable atlases and single paper up to A0, lot of different map styles and overlays (like Waymarked Trails), free
- Field papers - create an atlas yourself with different map styles,
- Inkatlas - different styles, up to 6 pages A4 for free
Advanced/Other OSM based services
- Overpass Turbo - web based data mining tool for OpenStreetMap, linked is an example for cycle shops in Berlin
- MapCompare - compare different map sources (Google, OSM, Here, Satellite data) with each other
- Lokaler Editor (beta) - create your own small maps and share them
- OpenInfraMap - view of the world's hidden infrastructure (power lines, petroleum and water)
- Mapillary - an open-source Streetview-Version you can contribute to
- Peakfinder - shows all all surrounding peaks from the given point also available as app
- OpenFireMap - map with all the fire houses and hydrants in OSM
- Node Density - How dense is the OpenStreetMap database?
- Power Grid - a power line map showing for example voltages
- OpenStreetMap Wiki - Wiki of the OSM project
