User:AHeneen/sandbox/Mapping service and GIS repository

Proposal to be uploaded to meta:Mapping service and GIS repository (see meta:Proposals for new projects).

Useful pages:
 * meta:New project process
 * meta:Sister Projects Committee/Draft charter

DON'T FORGET TO:
 * Unhide the category
 * Remove ":meta:" from some wikilinks
 * Should probably be named "GIS repository and mapping service"

This proposal is a project that combines a repository of georeferenced data (just as Commons is a repository of media) with a mapping engine (the existing meta:WikiMiniAtlas tool, with some enhancements). The combination of the two is necessary because most georeferenced data would need to be presented (at least as a preview) in a form that can be visualized (such as against a topographic background).

What is georeferenced data and why is it valuable?
Georeferenced data is data in a format that is referenced to a geographical coordinates. In principle, this is similar to vector graphics, except that there are many geographic coordinate systems and files are stored in different formats. Examples of types of data that are often or ideally stored in a georeferenced format include:
 * Topography/bathymetry — contour lines, natural boundaries (coastlines, ice shelves, cliffs)
 * Geographic features:
 * Natural features — rivers, lakes, glaciers
 * Natural features as designated by humans — limits of oceans/seas/bays, mountains, biomes, climate classifications
 * Routes — roads, railroads, trails, pipelines
 * Events:
 * Natural events — earthquakes, volcanoes, tornadoes, tropical cyclone tracks
 * Human events — location of noteworthy events

Alternative and domain names
Because of concerns about domain squatting, a name for this project shouldn't be proposed or discussed until the proposal passes an RfC and reaches the point where the WMF is ready to start a naming competition and is able to secure domain names and verify that the proposed name isn't too similar to trademarked names.

Proposed by

 * User:AHeneen

Related projects/proposals

 * meta:WikiAtlas
 * meta:WikiMiniAtlas