FIND launches a new free mapping website

Today we launch www.findfreemaps.co.uk – a unique website that makes it possible for members of the public to create and customise their own maps for free.

Customised 'Your Google Map'

Last year the UK government released numerous datasets to the public, an example being the Ordnance Survey’s OS OpenData. However, to date the public has not had access to this data in a useful and accessible manner. FIND’s Personalise Your Map website is an exciting development that allows the members of the public to make use of UK government data for their own needs.

The site gives unprecedented access to a range of constantly updated maps and information from respected UK government sources such as Natural England, Ordnance Survey and Historic Scotland. For the first time users have been provided with a powerful mapping toolset meaning that rather than simply viewing a map users can now customise their own. Maps can be annotated with shapes, text, symbols, styling, and useful measuring tools then saved to PDF in a neat print template. The result is customised cartography at no cost.

Outdoor OS Map with heritage layers

An exclusive feature of the portal is the ability to customise a Google Map through the ‘Your Google Map’ feature. Users have the ability to change the colour of every feature on a Google map globally to suit their specific requirements and preferences.

Mariam Crichton, CEO of FIND says “www.findfreemaps.co.uk offers individuals the ability to mark up their own maps and share these with a wider audience. The possibilities of its use are endless, from customising a wedding invitation to sharing the details and the location of a significant local event for example the impact of major weather incident. The website acts as a powerful tool for communicating mapping information on a global scale”.

Please visit: http://www.findfreemaps.co.uk