Explore basemaps

Use a map in 2D

First, you'll navigate around a map and change the basemap. A basemap is a reference map that can have data overlaid on it to visualize geographic information.

  1. Open MapMaker.

    MapMaker app default

    First, you'll pan the map to the country of Mexico. Panning means changing the view, or extent, to see different places on the map.

  2. Pan to Mexico by clicking and dragging the map so Mexico is centered on the screen.

    Mexico on the map

    You'll zoom in to better see Mexico City, the capital of Mexico. Zooming means changing the scale of a map to see more or less detail.

  3. In the upper left corner of the map, click Zoom in.

    Zoom in button

    Note:

    You can also zoom in or out using the scroll wheel of your mouse or pinching your fingers together on a touch screen device or trackpad.

  4. Zoom in more times and pan the map to explore Mexico City.
  5. Click Default map view to reset the map.

    Default map view button

  6. In the upper left corner of the map, click the Open search button. For Find address or place, type White House.

    White House in the search bar

    As you type, suggested places appear.

  7. Press Enter.

    The map zooms to the White House in Washington, D.C. The White House, as well as the many federal buildings, museums, and monuments around it are labeled on the basemap.

    A basemap is a reference map that can have data overlaid on it to visualize geographic information. The basemap you're currently using is the National Geographic Style basemap. The National Geographic Style basemap is a political reference map. It includes political boundaries, major transportation routes, and cities. Other types of basemaps feature other reference information, such as terrain.

    Next, you'll change the basemap.

  8. Close the Search result pop-up.
  9. On the toolbar at the bottom of the screen, click the Basemaps button.

    Basemaps button

    The Basemaps pane opens.

  10. In the Basemaps pane, click Imagery Hybrid.

    Imagery Hybrid basemap option

    The map changes to show the new basemap. The Imagery Hybrid basemap combines satellite imagery with map labels and other features, like state and country boundaries.

    Different basemaps show different information, and can be changed to best suit the purpose of your map. For example, if you want a reference map that shows where buildings and trees are, then Imagery Hybrid is a good choice.

  11. Pan and zoom the map or use the Search bar to locate the country of France.
  12. Zoom in to Paris, France.
    Note:

    As an additional challenge, can you find the Eiffel Tower by panning and zooming the map? Hint: Look for the Jardin du Champ de Mars.

  13. Click Default map view to reset the map.
  14. Hold the right mouse button while rotating the map until the map is oriented south.

    As you rotate the map, the Reset map orientation button will continue to show north and south.

    Map oriented south

    Note:

    If you are on a touch device, you can place two fingers and rotate them in the direction you wish to turn the map.

  15. In the upper left corner of the map, click Reset map orientation to move the map so north is at the top of the screen.

    Reset map orientation button

Open a map

Next, you'll open a map from the gallery and explore the data at a variety of scales using bookmarks.

  1. On the toolbar at the bottom of the screen, click the Open map button.

    Open map button

  2. In the Open map pane, in the search bar, type Ethnicity.

    Ethnicity in the search bar

  3. On the map card for the Ethnicity in the United States map, click the information button to read about the map.

    Information button

  4. Open the Ethnicity in the United States map by clicking the image of the map.
  5. On the toolbar at the bottom of the screen, click the Bookmarks button.

    Bookmarks button

    Note:

    If a map includes bookmarks, a blue icon appears in the upper right corner of the Bookmarks button.

    The Bookmarks pane appears.

  6. In the Bookmarks pane, click the bookmark for Hawaii.

    Hawaii bookmark

    The map zooms to Hawaii. To open the legend for the map, you'll open the Map layers pane. On the toolbar, the Map layers button has a blue icon, showing that the map has one data layer.

  7. On the toolbar at the bottom of the screen, click the Map layers button.

    Map layers button

    The legend lists the data layers that are on your map with a description of what each symbol represents.

  8. Zoom in to explore Honolulu.

    As you zoom in the scale of the data changes, providing a more detailed picture of the ethnicity of the residents of the island.

  9. Click areas on the island and read the informational pop-up.

    Pop-up on the map

  10. Refresh your browser to reset MapMaker.

Use a map in 3D

Next, you'll navigate a map in 3D.

  1. On the toolbar at the bottom of the screen, click the 3D button.

    3D button

    The 2D map changes to a 3D globe.

  2. On the globe, click and drag to pan and focus on a new location. Scroll your mouse wheel to zoom in or out.

    In the a 3D view, you can pan top to bottom, side-to-side, and around to spin and tilt the globe.

  3. In the upper left corner of the map, click the Default map view button to return the globe to its original position.
  4. Pan and zoom or use the search bar to locate the country of Switzerland.
  5. Zoom in until you can explore the Alps mountain range.
  6. From the upper left corner of the map, switch from Pan to Rotate by clicking Toggle to pan or rotate in 3D.

    Toggle to pan or rotate in 3D button

  7. On the map, right-click and hold to adjust the angle of the map so you can see the relief of the mountains.

    The relief of the mountains

    Note:

    If you're on a touch device, you can place two fingers on the map and rotate them to move the map. You can tilt the map by dragging two fingers up or down on the map. If you're using a touchpad, use two fingers to click and rotate them to move the map. You can tilt the map using two fingers, clicking, and dragging them up or down on the touchpad.

  8. Click or tap Default map view to reset the map.
  9. On the toolbar at the bottom of the screen, click the Basemaps button.
  10. In the Basemap pane, click the Topographic basemap.

    Select the Topographic basemap.

    The basemap loads. A topographic basemap shows a combination of natural features (like mountains and rivers) and human features (like cities, roads, and administrative boundaries).

  11. Close the Basemaps pane.
  12. Search for Buckingham Palace and press Enter.
  13. Use what you've learned about zooming, panning, and rotating to explore Buckingham Palace and nearby landmarks, like the London Eye.

    View of the London Eye

In this tutorial, you learned how to explore a map by panning, zooming, and using bookmarks. You also changed basemaps to see the world with different geographic context. Lastly, you changed the map from 2D to 3D and learned how to navigate a 3D scene.

You can find more tutorials in the tutorial gallery.