{"id":68770,"date":"2022-04-16T06:41:07","date_gmt":"2022-04-16T11:41:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/?p=68770"},"modified":"2025-05-29T20:44:13","modified_gmt":"2025-05-30T01:44:13","slug":"basemap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/basemap\/","title":{"rendered":"What is a Basemap?"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>.kb-image68770_ac35a8-a6 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image68770_ac35a8-a6 size-medium_large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"379\" src=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Basemap-Feature-768x379.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-68769\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Basemap-Feature-768x379.png 768w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Basemap-Feature-300x148.png 300w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Basemap-Feature-678x334.png 678w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Basemap-Feature-1536x757.png 1536w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Basemap-Feature-50x25.png 50w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Basemap-Feature-200x99.png 200w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Basemap-Feature-425x210.png 425w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Basemap-Feature-550x271.png 550w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Basemap-Feature-115x57.png 115w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Basemap-Feature-1265x624.png 1265w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Basemap-Feature-360x177.png 360w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Basemap-Feature-1550x764.png 1550w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Basemap-Feature.png 1722w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column68770_744299-7d13 > .kt-inside-inner-col{display:flex;}.kadence-column68770_744299-7d13 > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);}.kadence-column68770_744299-7d13 > .kt-inside-inner-col{border-top:1px solid #d3d3d3;border-right:1px solid #d3d3d3;border-bottom:1px solid #d3d3d3;border-left:1px solid #d3d3d3;}.kadence-column68770_744299-7d13 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column68770_744299-7d13 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:10px;border-top-right-radius:10px;border-bottom-right-radius:10px;border-bottom-left-radius:10px;}.kadence-column68770_744299-7d13 > .kt-inside-inner-col{row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem );column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column68770_744299-7d13 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column68770_744299-7d13 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column68770_744299-7d13 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column68770_744299-7d13{position:relative;}.kadence-column68770_744299-7d13, .kt-inside-inner-col > .kadence-column68770_744299-7d13:not(.specificity){margin-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-md, 2rem);margin-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-md, 2rem);}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column68770_744299-7d13 > .kt-inside-inner-col{border-top:1px solid #d3d3d3;border-right:1px solid #d3d3d3;border-bottom:1px solid #d3d3d3;border-left:1px solid #d3d3d3;flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column68770_744299-7d13 > .kt-inside-inner-col{border-top:1px solid #d3d3d3;border-right:1px solid #d3d3d3;border-bottom:1px solid #d3d3d3;border-left:1px solid #d3d3d3;flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column68770_744299-7d13\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading68770_1da093-8d11, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading68770_1da093-8d11[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading68770_1da093-8d11\"]{padding-bottom:0px;margin-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);font-size:16px;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading68770_1da093-8d11 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading68770_1da093-8d11[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading68770_1da093-8d11\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading68770_1da093-8d11 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading68770_1da093-8d11[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading68770_1da093-8d11\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading68770_1da093-8d11 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading68770_1da093-8d11\"><strong>DEFINITION:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading68770_4bcaf5-8412, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading68770_4bcaf5-8412[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading68770_4bcaf5-8412\"]{font-size:16px;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading68770_4bcaf5-8412 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading68770_4bcaf5-8412[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading68770_4bcaf5-8412\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading68770_4bcaf5-8412 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading68770_4bcaf5-8412[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading68770_4bcaf5-8412\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading68770_4bcaf5-8412 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading68770_4bcaf5-8412\">A basemap is the background map layer in GIS or mapping applications that provides geographic context for your data.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is a Basemap?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A basemap is a layer that provides <strong>geographical context<\/strong> to the map and other dataset layers above it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Because reference information is so important in <a href=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/spatial-analysis\/\">spatial analysis<\/a> and modeling, almost every map (printed, digital, or web map) includes a background map as a visual reference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For any map maker, this means that a solid basemap is one of the <strong>fundamental building blocks of cartography<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let&#8217;s explore the world of basemaps. What types of basemaps exist? And what are some examples?<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Types of Basemaps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Maps always <strong>communicate a message<\/strong>. So in order to communicate your message, it is important to choose the right type of basemap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Although various types of basemaps exist, there are generally just several in use today. Each one has its own benefits and disadvantages when it comes to displaying and conveying information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are examples of basemaps, which describe the types of basemaps and a bit of background in what situations you would use them.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading68770_720dd0-73, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading68770_720dd0-73[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading68770_720dd0-73\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading68770_720dd0-73 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading68770_720dd0-73[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading68770_720dd0-73\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading68770_720dd0-73 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading68770_720dd0-73[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading68770_720dd0-73\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading68770_720dd0-73 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading68770_720dd0-73\">Orthophoto Basemap<\/h3>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image68770_dd68b7-35 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image68770_dd68b7-35\"><figure class=\"alignright size-medium\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"172\" src=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Satellite-Imagery-Layer-300x172.png\" alt=\"Satellite Imagery Layer\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-44967\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Satellite-Imagery-Layer-300x172.png 300w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Satellite-Imagery-Layer-678x389.png 678w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Satellite-Imagery-Layer-50x29.png 50w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Satellite-Imagery-Layer-200x115.png 200w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Satellite-Imagery-Layer-425x244.png 425w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Satellite-Imagery-Layer-550x316.png 550w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Satellite-Imagery-Layer-115x66.png 115w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Satellite-Imagery-Layer-360x207.png 360w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Satellite-Imagery-Layer.png 740w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/aerial-photography-vs-orthophotography\/\">Orthophoto<\/a> basemaps show ground features with detail from a top-down perspective. They are usually created by satellite imagery, but can also be created with aerial or drone photography.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Its major advantage is that you can see the features of Earth and even measure distances with anything from buildings to streets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>EXAMPLES:<\/strong> Google Satellite Imagery, Esri Imagery, etc.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading68770_09a080-a2, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading68770_09a080-a2[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading68770_09a080-a2\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading68770_09a080-a2 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading68770_09a080-a2[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading68770_09a080-a2\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading68770_09a080-a2 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading68770_09a080-a2[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading68770_09a080-a2\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading68770_09a080-a2 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading68770_09a080-a2\">Topographic Basemap<\/h3>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image68770_4bfeaf-d8.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image68770_4bfeaf-d8 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:350px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image68770_4bfeaf-d8.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image68770_4bfeaf-d8 .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image68770_4bfeaf-d8 figure{max-width:350px;}.kb-image68770_4bfeaf-d8 .image-is-svg, .kb-image68770_4bfeaf-d8 .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image68770_4bfeaf-d8 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image68770_4bfeaf-d8\"><figure class=\"alignright size-medium-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"425\" height=\"292\" src=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/topographic-maps-swiss-topo-425x292.jpg\" alt=\"topographic maps swiss topo\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-19568\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/topographic-maps-swiss-topo-425x292.jpg 425w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/topographic-maps-swiss-topo-300x206.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/topographic-maps-swiss-topo-678x466.jpg 678w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/topographic-maps-swiss-topo-768x528.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/topographic-maps-swiss-topo-50x34.jpg 50w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/topographic-maps-swiss-topo-200x138.jpg 200w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/topographic-maps-swiss-topo-550x378.jpg 550w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/topographic-maps-swiss-topo-115x79.jpg 115w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/topographic-maps-swiss-topo.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 425px) 100vw, 425px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/what-is-topography\/\">Topography<\/a> is the underlying foundation of a landscape and can refer to mountains, valleys, and rivers on the surface. A topographic basemap generally includes elevation in the form of contours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But it can also incorporate natural and artificial features such as administrative boundaries, hydrography, parks, urban areas, and transportation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><strong>EXAMPLES<\/strong>:<\/strong> USGS Topographic Basemaps, Swiss Topo, etc.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading68770_6d0987-ca, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading68770_6d0987-ca[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading68770_6d0987-ca\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading68770_6d0987-ca mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading68770_6d0987-ca[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading68770_6d0987-ca\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading68770_6d0987-ca img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading68770_6d0987-ca[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading68770_6d0987-ca\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading68770_6d0987-ca wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading68770_6d0987-ca\">Satellite Basemap<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-medium\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Satellite-Imagery-USGS-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Satellite Imagery USGS\" class=\"wp-image-97783\" style=\"object-fit:cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Satellite-Imagery-USGS-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Satellite-Imagery-USGS-678x678.jpg 678w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Satellite-Imagery-USGS-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Satellite-Imagery-USGS.jpg 750w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/free-satellite-imagery-data-list\/\">Satellite imagery<\/a> provides users with an aerial view of a location captured from space. This is a useful type of basemap if you want to see any features with an aerial view.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Because satellites orbit in a circular path with repetitive acquisitions, it&#8217;s capable of capturing imagery with up-to-date information. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><strong>EXAMPLES<\/strong><\/strong>: Sentinel-2 Views, <a href=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/landsat\/\">Landsat Imagery<\/a>, etc.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading68770_d7bbca-96, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading68770_d7bbca-96[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading68770_d7bbca-96\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading68770_d7bbca-96 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading68770_d7bbca-96[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading68770_d7bbca-96\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading68770_d7bbca-96 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading68770_d7bbca-96[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading68770_d7bbca-96\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading68770_d7bbca-96 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading68770_d7bbca-96\">Elevation Basemap<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A digital elevation model, also known as a DEM, is a digital representation of the elevation surface of the Earth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/dem-dsm-dtm-differences\/\">Elevation<\/a> is the vertical distance between the ground surface and an ellipsoid model or geoid. This is useful for depicting any type of construction project as elevation can add extra cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><strong>EXAMPLES<\/strong><\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/srtm-shuttle-radar-topography-mission\/\">SRTM Digital Elevation Model<\/a>, LiDAR DEM, etc.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading68770_3e237a-8b, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading68770_3e237a-8b[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading68770_3e237a-8b\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading68770_3e237a-8b mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading68770_3e237a-8b[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading68770_3e237a-8b\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading68770_3e237a-8b img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading68770_3e237a-8b[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading68770_3e237a-8b\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading68770_3e237a-8b wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading68770_3e237a-8b\">Contours Basemap<\/h3>\n\n\n<style>.kb-image68770_ae7b54-4e.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .kb-image68770_ae7b54-4e .kb-image-is-ratio-size{max-width:375px;width:100%;}.wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image68770_ae7b54-4e.kb-image-is-ratio-size, .wp-block-kadence-column > .kt-inside-inner-col > .kb-image68770_ae7b54-4e .kb-image-is-ratio-size{align-self:unset;}.kb-image68770_ae7b54-4e figure{max-width:375px;}.kb-image68770_ae7b54-4e .image-is-svg, .kb-image68770_ae7b54-4e .image-is-svg img{width:100%;}.kb-image68770_ae7b54-4e .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image68770_ae7b54-4e\"><figure class=\"alignright size-medium-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"425\" height=\"282\" src=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Mount-Fuji-Contours-425x282.jpg\" alt=\"Mount Fuji Contours\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-19315\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Mount-Fuji-Contours-425x282.jpg 425w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Mount-Fuji-Contours-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Mount-Fuji-Contours-678x450.jpg 678w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Mount-Fuji-Contours-768x510.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Mount-Fuji-Contours-50x33.jpg 50w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Mount-Fuji-Contours-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Mount-Fuji-Contours-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Mount-Fuji-Contours-550x365.jpg 550w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Mount-Fuji-Contours-115x76.jpg 115w, https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/Mount-Fuji-Contours.jpg 795w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 425px) 100vw, 425px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Elevation contours are just another way of showing how elevation changes in geographic locations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These lines show constant heights of elevation. <a href=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/contour-lines-topographic-map\/\">Contour lines<\/a> closer together represent steeper terrain. Whereas lines spaced further apart show gentle slopes.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Basemaps are the <strong>foundation<\/strong> of any location-based app and most mapping products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They make it possible for your users to find places of interest near them by giving them <strong>reference information<\/strong> in geographic space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are many uses for a basemap, and they can come in handy in many different situations to suit your purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Do you have any questions about basemaps? Please let us know with a comment below.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A basemap is a fundamental building block of cartography that provides geographical context to the map and other dataset layers above it. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":68769,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kad_post_transparent":"default","_kad_post_title":"default","_kad_post_layout":"default","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"default","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"default","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[108],"tags":[437],"class_list":["post-68770","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-maps-cartography","tag-map-types"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What is a Basemap? - GIS Geography<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A basemap is a fundamental building block of cartography that provides geographical context to the map and other dataset layers above it.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/basemap\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What is a Basemap? - GIS Geography\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A basemap is a fundamental building block of cartography that provides geographical context to the map and other dataset layers above it.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/basemap\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"GIS Geography\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/gisgeography\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:author\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/gisgeography\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2022-04-16T11:41:07+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-05-30T01:44:13+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/gisgeography.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Basemap-Feature.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1722\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"849\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"GISGeography\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@https:\/\/twitter.com\/GisGeography\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@GisGeography\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"GISGeography\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gisgeography.com\\\/basemap\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gisgeography.com\\\/basemap\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"GISGeography\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gisgeography.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/9e7385da3acea92bc45d45be5dfe191e\"},\"headline\":\"What is a Basemap?\",\"datePublished\":\"2022-04-16T11:41:07+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-05-30T01:44:13+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gisgeography.com\\\/basemap\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":531,\"commentCount\":3,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gisgeography.com\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gisgeography.com\\\/basemap\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gisgeography.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2022\\\/04\\\/Basemap-Feature.png\",\"keywords\":[\"Map Types\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Maps &amp; 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