facilmap/docs/src/users/layers/README.md

Map styles (layers)

FacilMap embeds the map styles of different OpenStreetMap-based services. Different styles present geographic features in a different way and are useful for different purposes.

You can switch the style of the map by clicking on the “Map style” item in the toolbox. The dropdown menu contains three sections:

1. The first section are so-called “base layers”. These define the main style of the map. Only one base layer can be selected at a time.
2. The second section are so-called “overlays”. These are shown on top of the base layer to show additional information on the map. Multiple overlays can be shown at the same time.
3. The third section contains some links to open the current map area on another map service (such as Google Maps). Clicking these links will open a new browser tab.

Base layers

Base layers set the main style of the map. Only one base layer can be shown at the same time. FacilMap includes the following base layers:

Base layer	Source	Purpose
Lima Labs	Lima Labs	Good for a general geographic overview. Has a focus on car infrastructure and political borders. Supports high resolution displays.
Mapnik	OpenStreetMap	Good for a general geographic overview. Has a focus on car infrastructure and political borders.
TopPlus	German state	Good for a general geographic overview, with more details than Mapnik. Has a focus on car infrastructure, political borders and topography. Unfortunately all labels are in German.
Map1.eu	Map1.eu	Has a focus on cities/towns, car infrastructure and political borders. Aims to have the same level of detail as a paper map. Only available for Europe.
OpenTopoMap	OpenTopoMap	Strong focus on topography, but also shows car and train infrastructure. Shows contour lines at higher zoom levels.
CyclOSM	CyclOSM	Strong focus on bicycle infrastructure and sign-posted bicycle routes.
OpenCycleMap	OpenCycleMap	Strong focus on sign-posted bicycle routes. At higher zoom levels, details about cycling infrastructure are shown.
Hike & Bike Map	Hike & Bike Map	Emphasizes hiking trails and off-road tracks.
Mapnik Water	FreieTonne	Similar to Mapnik, but emphasizes lakes, rivers and the sea.

Since these base layers are provided by third-party services, it can happen that some of them are unavailable at some point in time. In that case, FacilMap will show Mapnik as a fallback.

If you know of a free service that provides a base layer and think it would be a useful addition to FacilMap, please raise an issue on GitHub.

Overlays

Overlays are additional details that are shown on top of a base layer. Multiple overlays can be shown at the same time. FacilMap includes the following overlays:

Overlay	Source	Purpose
Public transportation	Openptmap	Shows train, tram, bus and ferry lines.
Hiking paths	Waymarked Trails	Shows marked/sign-posted hiking routes.
Bicycle routes	Waymarked Trails	Shows sign-posted bicycle routes.
Relief	Wikimedia	Adds hill-shading to the map.
Graticule	FacilMap/Leaflet.AutoGraticule	Adds a grid of longitude and latitude coordinates to the map.
Sea marks	FreieTonne	Shows details about light houses, weirs, buoys and many other features relevant for nautical navigation.

If you know of a free service that provides an overlay and think it would be a useful addition to FacilMap, please raise an issue on GitHub.