Cartagen is a vector-based, client-side framework for rendering maps in native HTML 5. Written in JavaScript, it uses the new Canvas element to load mapping data from various sources, including OpenStreetMap.
It allows you to style maps with Geographic Style Sheets (GSS), a cascading stylesheet specification for geospatial information – enabling you to easily understand GSS based on your experience with CSS. However, GSS is a scripting language as well, making Cartagen an ideal framework for mapping dynamic data.
Instead of sending pre-rendered tiles for every zoom level, Cartagen draws maps dynamically on the client side. This means maps can move, adapt, and redraw, and can include as many layers of data as needed. Vector mapping is done in native HTML 5, which runs on the iPhone and the Android platforms, and uses less bandwidth overall.
http://cartagen.org/ is a demonstration of the latest version of Cartagen – you can use it to experiment with the technology, explore the world, and create your own maps! In addition, you can download Cartagen and use it on your own website, or read and change the code to fit your needs. Developed by Jeffrey Warren; it is available for download under MIT License. You can find more on how to use Cartagen at its Getting Started page.
