Mapbox is an online mapping platform that allows anyone to restyle a map, map their location-based data and to integrate fast and fluid maps into mobile or online applications. Mapbox also has some basic spatial analysis features options similar to GIS software: more details.

Mapbox Studio is also an application for designing custom map styles. You can use Mapbox Studio to style map layers.

Mapbox uses two distinct types of data: datasets and tilesets. Datasets are edit-able vector based data. Tilesets are also vector based but convert datasets into manageable ‘tiles’ to ensure the maps are loaded quickly on our web browsers. Tilesets are what we see on the map and can be styled. Your datasets and tilesets are linked to each other in your Mapbox account. If you need to edit the data, go to datasets to edit it, then update the associated tileset. For a longer description of these types see here.

The spatial map data behind Mapbox is openstreetmap (OSM). OSM is an open source map, where the data has been created by the community. It is by everyone for everyone.

Help Pages

Further info and help pages for various aspects can be found here:

• Mapbox Studio Manual
• Mapbox glossary of terminology
• Mapbox GL JS API

Workshop Map Examples

These Map examples will step you through how to:

• Style a new map with Mapbox Studio;
• Create a simple map with Mapbox JS GL;
• Explore interaction functionality using Mapbox JS GL;