Convert KML to MAP

Understanding KML and MAP file formats

KML (Keyhole Markup Language) is an XML-based file format used to display geographic data in mapping applications such as Google Earth and Google Maps. It stores points, lines, polygons, and images with geographic coordinates.

MAP files, in the context of GIS, often refer to files used by MapServer or other GIS software to define how spatial data is rendered. These files contain configuration information, including layers, styles, and data sources, but do not store geographic features themselves.

Why convert KML to MAP?

Converting a KML file to a MAP file is useful when you want to use your geographic data in a GIS server environment, such as MapServer, to control the rendering and display of your spatial data on web maps.

How to convert KML to MAP file

There is no direct one-step conversion from KML to MAP, as MAP files are configuration scripts, not data containers. The process involves:

1. Converting your KML data to a GIS-friendly format (like Shapefile or GeoJSON).
2. Creating a MAP file that references the converted data and defines how it should be displayed.

Recommended software for conversion

• QGIS: A free, open-source GIS application that can import KML files and export them to Shapefile or GeoJSON. Use Layer → Add Layer → Add Vector Layer to import KML, then Layer → Export → Save Features As... to export.
• GDAL/OGR: A command-line tool for converting geospatial data formats. Use the ogr2ogr utility to convert KML to Shapefile or GeoJSON.
• MapServer: After converting your data, you can create a MAP file manually or use QGIS's Project → Import/Export → Export Map to MapServer plugin to generate a MAP file template.

Step-by-step conversion process

1. Open your KML file in QGIS.
2. Right-click the layer and select Export → Save Features As... to save as Shapefile or GeoJSON.
3. In MapServer, create a MAP file referencing the exported data. You can use QGIS's MapServer Export plugin to help generate the MAP file structure.

Summary

While there is no direct KML to MAP file converter, using QGIS and MapServer together provides a reliable workflow. Convert your KML to a supported GIS format, then create a MAP file to configure how your data is displayed in a web mapping environment.