Introduction to MapLibre GL JS
MapLibre GL JS is an open-source mapping library designed to help developers easily integrate maps into websites and web-based applications. It stands out for its ability to render vector tiles quickly using GPU acceleration, allowing for smooth and fast map displays.
Origins and Evolution
MapLibre GL JS originated as a fork of the popular mapbox-gl-js, which transitioned to a non-open source license in December 2020. This project took up the mantle to continue offering an open-source alternative, initially serving as a direct replacement for Mapbox's OSS version 1.x. Over time, MapLibre has significantly evolved, adding enhanced functionalities and features, continuing to support the open-source community.
Getting Started
Incorporating MapLibre GL JS into a project is straightforward. Developers need to include its JavaScript and CSS files within the HTML page's <head> section. For instance:
<script src='https://unpkg.com/maplibre-gl@latest/dist/maplibre-gl.js'></script>
<link href='https://unpkg.com/maplibre-gl@latest/dist/maplibre-gl.css' rel='stylesheet' />
In the HTML <body>, developers can create a map instance by specifying a container, map style, coordinates, and zoom level. Here's a simple setup:
<div id='map' style='width: 400px; height: 300px;'></div>
<script>
var map = new maplibregl.Map({
container: 'map',
style: 'https://demotiles.maplibre.org/style.json',
center: [-74.5, 40],
zoom: 9
});
</script>
Documentation and Examples
For extensive guidance, MapLibre GL JS offers detailed documentation and a series of examples that highlight its capabilities, such as displaying maps, animating images, creating heatmaps, and utilizing 3D features. This documentation is readily accessible for developers to explore and utilize.
For developers using frameworks like React or Angular, MapLibre GL JS provides bindings to facilitate integration. More resources and projects are shared on awesome-maplibre.
Community and Contribution
MapLibre GL JS thrives on community involvement. Developers and contributors are encouraged to join Slack channels, adhere to the project's contribution guidelines, and collaborate to maintain a singular, robust project rather than diverging efforts into multiple forks. For those interested in contributing, the project welcomes ideas, participation, and leadership.
The project offers bounties for specific tasks, motivating developers to contribute to ongoing development needs. Details about these bounties can be explored on the step-by-step guide.
Acknowledgments and Sponsorship
MapLibre GL JS expresses gratitude to organizations and individuals who have sponsored and supported the project financially. Sponsors include several renowned companies and are featured prominently for their contributions. Detailed information on sponsorship can be found on the MapLibre Sponsorship Program.
Gratitude to Mapbox
MapLibre GL JS acknowledges Mapbox for their foundational contributions to the open-source mapping community. While pathing ways yet continuing the legacy, MapLibre remains a project built on the groundwork laid by Mapbox. It is crucial to refrain from unauthorized backports of code from mapbox-gl-js that are not BSD-3 licensed.
License
MapLibre GL JS remains under the 3-Clause BSD license, keeping its contributions within an open-source framework to benefit all involved.
By choosing MapLibre GL JS, developers contribute to a thriving, open-source project dedicated to offering rich, interactive mapping experiences on the web.