Web Cartography in the United States‪.‬

There is no doubt that internet, probably the most revolutionary technology of the latter part of the 20th Century, has fundamentally changed the world of maps. Web mapping sites likely number in the thousands; people use web mapping services much more often than paper maps to find their way; federal and local government agencies have been freed from answering basic "where is ...?" questions all day; mainstream technology companies have "discovered" the geospatial market and have become major players; and the very definition of a map (and cartography for that matter) needs to be reconsidered (Wood 2003). Harrower (2004) lists four ways in which the internet has revolutionized cartography: 1) cheap map distribution; 2) easier retrieval of maps (especially obscure maps); 3) increased public awareness and demand for maps and geographic information; and 4) ability to create new kinds of maps. In recent years, these impacts have increased greatly. Change is not consistent across the entire field; different types of services have seen different changes. The web mapping services in the United States (and globally) can be grouped into three categories: