Maps on the Web: A Retrospective and Forward Look

The popularity of web maps has grown rapidly in recent years. While some older individuals may still remember it, it is hard for younger people to even imagine a world without web maps (or, similarly, without mobile phones), a world that was a reality less than a third of a century ago. This article explores the development of the internet and the Web, examines the evolution of web mapping through Web 1.0 and 2.0 technologies, and highlights the emerging opportunities that Web 3.0 and beyond present for cartography and mapping.