Insights into Outdooractive Cartography
The map is the most vital source of information
All of our platform content is geo-referenced and thus located on the map. Outdooractive is known for having the best outdoor maps. As engineers, coming from the planning of tourism infrastructure, we're experienced in detailed planning and presentation.
Therefore cartography work is an essential part of our DNA and one of our greatest passions.
In order to provide a fully integrated map with relevant information for all outdoor activities, the Outdooractive Cartographers take care of many different 'disciplines', such as:
- creating our own Outdooractive Map including customized activity-related layers.
- identifying and combining different data sources of geographical information.
- ensuring the best and unique map experience with an independent and recognizable map style.
- creating the world's most complete topo map collection.
- researching elevation data and providing data for our own routing engine.
Why is this approach so important to us?
Because we consider the map to be the most vital source of information. For every one that moves around outdoors, for any kind of activity, professional or private purposes, on your own or with others.
Taking our map as the geographical source, adding relevant content such as routes, POIs, or other community content, and using our different activity layers will provide you with the most vital information for any outdoor activity.
By the way: The Outdooractive Travel Guide collects all the information that matches the region of your search query and displays it clearly on the map.
Our own signature map - the Outdooractive Map
The Outdooractive Map is a unique product and an easily accessible map. It offers:
- Consistent data quality for an entire country
- Detailed terrain and rock visualization for alpine regions
- Integration of signed trail networks from trail management organizations
- Availability of geographical designations such as field names
- Legally correct data
- Possibility of (automated) data correction
- Full control of data
What data sources are we using?
OpenStreetMap is a community project in which each individual divides their own contribution on the basis of their own experience - this is called Volunteered geographic information (VGI). It is like Wikipedia for maps based on user-generated content. The difference to Wikipedia is, that people are not creating articles they are creating geographic elements like nodes, ways, and relations with an attribution – they are filling a database with geographic information.
The complete counterpart to OpenStreetMap is the geodata integrated via Outdooractive Cartography and combined in the Outdooractive Map - these datasets are created by Surveying Offices that have the official task of covering the country with the help of geodata.
For example (non-exhaustive list):
- BKG in Germany
- swisstopo in Switzerland
- IGN in France
We enrich this data with activity-specific trail networks provided by trail management organizations as well as content from our touristic database which is approved by our B2B customers.
These are two completely different approaches originating from the basic principle of collecting data (community vs. government organization) and they also relate to the availability of data (regional vs. worldwide coverage).
We have made it our mission to use all sources of data as well as to bring them together.
Worldwide Topo Maps
Topo maps - the classic, printed paper map that we give a digital home. These maps are based on the identical data of the Surveying Offices, and they are partly used in the Outdooractive Map. Above all, however, the graphic appearance of these maps is culturally anchored in these countries and offers emotional security - in addition to their cartographic quality.
We take every opportunity to provide a representation of the earth in the form of a map from the most diverse points of view.
From a data perspective as well as maps from renowned publishers who have focussed on a corresponding activity and thus also aligned their map and content - to fit all of the users' needs.
We provide a unique map experience
The Map Layer Panel allows you to switch between maps as well as customize the look of your map. You can create your favorite map view from different building blocks.
Routing and Elevation Data
The data for the Outdooractive Map provided by Outdooractive Cartography also forms the basis for the routing - it also has a concrete influence on visitor guidance where the signed trails play a central role.
We are always on the lookout for digital terrain models - not only so that the planned routes are provided with an elevation profile, but also to make detailed shading, contour lines and slope angels available within the Outdooractive Map.