Mapping with Drupal

Chapter 3. Spatial Data

Before you can display a map, you need to get spatial data into your site in some way. Drupal gives you many options for modules and data formats to use. This chapter provides an overview of these and outlines the strengths and weaknesses of each. Four aspects of dealing with spatial data will be covered: how the data is stored in Drupal, how the data is input by users, how the data is manipulated, and how it can be queried.

Note

Many modules handle several aspects of data storage, manipulation, and display, so you will notice the same modules in several sections of this chapter and the rest of the book.

Drupal has a vibrant community of contributors, and this translates to many different modules and approaches to similar problems. This is great for promoting innovation and solving specific needs, but can make it difficult for site builders to work out the best solutions for their particular problems. This chapter will not be able to cover all the possibilities for spatial data in Drupal, but it will give you an in-depth look at the more established methods.

Note

The Drupal Mapping Group has a wiki page that describes the different geospatial modules and is the best place to get an overview of the modules available for your geospatial needs.

Data Storage

Different data formats for spatial data were introduced in Data Storage. This section will introduce the different modules and approaches for working with those data formats, and work through tutorials for implementing ...