BC Map Services

Last updated on September 7, 2023

The Province of BC manages resources and applications for building maps, along with thousands of continually updating datasets. All of this is available to present up to date information in a geographic context, and is highly customizable. Maps such as the BC Wildfire Dashboard update to the minute, and changes that can not be made with built in tools can be custom made with help from data and mapping experts.

To make an accurate and understandable map you will need data. The data that you access through our tools comes from the B.C. Geographic Warehouse (BCGW), managed by DataBC. Some of the features include:
  • Compatibility with geospatial software and web-based mapping applications.
  • A continually updating database, so developers and users are always working with the latest information
  • Flexible connection services for map creation and sharing
  • All layers are available in the industry standard (OGC) Web Map Service (WMS) protocol. they are also available in Google Earth’s Keyhole Markup Language (KML) format, and in ArcGIS Server REST services format

 

ArcGIS Online and BC's Map Hub

ArcGIS Online is a platform for designing and customizing interactive maps. You can browse user made maps, and submit your own through BC's Map Hub, which holds maps made with ArcGIS. BC's Map Hub also allows you to search for data and ask experts more about it.

 

iMapBC

iMapBC is for public use and is a handy tool for both new and experienced users, and has thousands of datasets to view on a map. It is compatible with all internet browsers, tablets, and phones.
 
Internet Mapping Framework 2 (IMF2)
Internet Mapping Framework 2 (IMF2) provides all the tools you sill need to make basic maps, while also allowing you to customize the application itself. The built in customization options allows you to change nearly anything about IMF2 without deep programming knowledge.
 
Simple Map Kit (SMK)
The biggest appeal of Simple Map Kit (SMK) is that it's open source. Meaning that anyone can download and customize the files, and share it with on the internet with anyone. It is compatible with tools inside inside and outside of government.
 

BCGW Web Map Service (Uses WMS Protocol)

This service provides maps and data from the B.C. Geographic Warehouse (BCGW) database. WMS-produced maps are often made as PNG, GIF or JPEG. A WMS manages and presents data on map, calling them layers. Layers all come in one of a set of "styles", which change how the layer is displayed, like as a point, line or polygon. (image here?)
The BCGW WMS offers hundreds of accessible layers with many styles to offer. Users can also make changes that provide attribute information about a layer using built in tools.
 

Finding Web Map Services (Uses WMS Protocol)

See the BC Data Catalogue for:

  • All BC Data Catalogue datasets that are available as WMS will include resource links to the service
  • summary of layers in this service as a KML Network Link

Find Services at the Feature Class level by:

Explore these services by:

  • Clicking on “Explore” button for "getcapabilities request WMS" resources
  • Zooming in the preview map to the location and scale where features are visible

 

BC Imagery Web Map Services (Uses WMS Protocol)

The Province also offers a wide range of aerial and satellite acquired imagery as non-queryable WMS layers. Imagery, orthophoto mosaics, satellite imagery, and hillshaded relief are all available at different resolutions, ranging from 30m down to one-half metre.

 

Base Mapping Tiled Services (Uses WMS and REST Protocol)

These services are available as non-queryable ArcGIS REST Services and WMS. These services use map caching (a very effective way to make basemap services run faster):

 

Using WMS Services

There are two main ways in which to use the WMS services:

  • In rich client desktop applications such as ESRI ArcMap or QGIS that support WMS. Instructions on how to consume WMS services through client applications can often be found on their websites listed below
  • Programmatically through the WMS service API.

The Open GeoSpatial Consortium lists organizations with products and specification implementations that support WMS. Some of these applications need the full getcapabilities url and some of them only need the first part of the URL (ie. everything before the '?' such as this: http://openmaps.gov.bc.ca/geo/ows?). Documentation on how to connect is usually available at a vendor’s website. Examples below direct you to third party instructions on how to connect using some of the more popular applications and APIs.

Using Web Map Services within client desktop applications such as:

Using Web Map Services through application programming interface (API) specifications such as:

Have a question on getting started? Please fill out a ticket through the Data Systems and Services request system.