OpenLayers

OpenLayers is a high-performance, open-source JavaScript library for displaying and interacting with geospatial dataGeospatial DataGeospatial data encompasses information about the location, shape, and relationships of physical features on Earth. I... in web browsers. First released in 2006, it is one of the longest-standing web mapping libraries and is maintained under the Open Source Geospatial Foundation (OSGeo). OpenLayers supports an exceptionally broad range of data sources including WMS, WMTS, WFS, vector tiles, GeoJSONGeoJSONGeoJSON is an open standard format for encoding geographic data structures using JavaScript Object Notation (JSON). I..., KML, GPX, and direct connections to ArcGISArcGISArcGIS is a leading GIS platform offering tools for spatial analysis, mapping, and data visualization. It serves a wi... and MapServer services. A distinguishing strength of OpenLayers is its robust support for coordinate reference systems beyond Web Mercator. Through integration with the proj4js library, it can reproject data on the fly, making it suitable for national mapping agencies and scientific applications that require specific regional projections. It also provides a rich set of controls, interactions, and overlay types for building complex, accessible map interfaces. OpenLayers renders using a combination of Canvas 2D and WebGLWebGLWeb Graphics Library (WebGL) is a cutting-edge web technology that brings high-performance 3D and 2D graphics renderi..., with recent versions expanding WebGL support for high-performance point, line, and polygon rendering. It integrates with modern build tools like Webpack and Vite, and its modular architecture allows tree-shaking to minimize bundle size. Organizations such as the European Environment Agency, Ordnance Survey, and numerous government GISGISGeographic Information Systems (GIS) enable users to analyze and visualize spatial data to uncover patterns, relation... portals rely on OpenLayers for its standards compliance, flexibility, and long-term stability.