What is a basemap?

A basemap is a non-editable layer that provides background, or reference information, in your map. It is typically designed to provide a visual reference for other layers to help orient the user of the map. Aerial imagery, terrain, and streets are examples of basemap layers. When defining a mobile map in your project, you can add a basemap layer or basemap layers to serve a reference purpose for the overlaying operational layer(s). Depending on a basemap's resolution and the area covered, its size can vary greatly, from megabytes to terabytes. Since basemaps are used for reference purposes, they typically are not updated frequently.

Basemaps are typically read-only. However, StreetMap for ArcGIS for Windows Mobile provides a street network basemap that can be used for geocoding and navigation functionality.

The types of basemaps supported by ArcGIS for Windows Mobile applications can work offline or online, and they include the following:

• Offline basemaps:
  • StreetMap for Windows Mobile.
  • Tiled datasets or tiled packages created from your own imagery or other data. For details, see Tiled datasets.
• Online basemaps:
  • ArcGIS for Server tiled map services.
  • ArcGIS Online basemap services.

For help choosing which type of basemap is best for your map, see Choosing basemap layers.

Note:

When authoring a mobile project, you can add one or more basemaps and operational layers. All layers—operational and basemap—must use the same spatial reference.