Published on 9 April 2024

Base Map

The Base Map has been optimised for use on smartphones - especially with regard to the memory requirements for offline use. The map adapts dynamically to the zoom levels and is enriched with interactive map elements (points of Interest POI).

Base Map

• Can I select which POIs are displayed?

  No, it is currently not possible to filter POIs. The POIs are displayed dynamically depending on the zoom level.

• Can the app's existing layers be displayed in addition to the Base Map?

  Like the national map, the Base Map can be selected as a background map in the app and can be combined with layers as usual. However, certain topics such as public transport may already be integrated into the Base Map and will thus be duplicated if an additional layer is inserted.

• Why can't I download the available foreign data?

  Foreign data cannot currently be downloaded and is only available in online mode. Unlike the data from Switzerland and Liechtenstein, which comes from swisstopo, the foreign data is obtained from a third party. Third-party licensing restrictions do not permit offline storage.

• Why are rocks and crags outside of Switzerland not displayed?

  The areas outside Switzerland in the Base Map are not based on data from swisstopo but on data from the OpenStreetMap community. Rocks and crags are not included in this data set and therefore cannot be displayed.

• How can I report an error in the Base Map?

  

  You can report changes and errors in the map material directly in the app using the Changes tool. To do this, drag the menu upwards and tap «Changes». You can now enter your error report.
  
  For errors in points of interest that originate from OpenStreetMap data, you will be redirected to the website https://www.openstreetmap.org/ to submit the error report.

• How often is the Base Map data updated?

  Switzerland: Quarterly update (during the course of the year, data content may be updated)
  Abroad: The control of the update cycle is carried out by Maptiler

Points of Interest

• Where does the POI data come from?

  In addition to swisstopo's own data, some of this data comes from third-party sources and is not collected or managed by swisstopo itself. For data that is not provided by swisstopo, the sources used can be seen in the context menu of the relevant POI.
  Further information can be found in the Terms of use of the swisstopo app.
  
  Base Map: Interactive mobile map

• Why is there no POI information abroad like in Switzerland?

  The Base Map is intended for use within Switzerland. In addition to swisstopo data, we also use various other data sources to provide a high level of information. Not all of the data sources are available abroad. It is not possible for swisstopo to evaluate the data sources of foreign countries. We thus restrict our data to a basic offering based on OSM (OpenStreetMap) data from the OSM community.

• Why can't I use the POI information offline?

  The POI information is often real-time data which is as up to date as possible. To ensure that you receive the latest available data, the app must be connected to the mobile phone network.

• Why isn't all available information displayed everywhere for POI information?

  swisstopo has checked the content of the point-of-interest information beforehand to ensure that it is as consistent and complete as possible, and has decided to provide certain kinds of information for each type of POI. swisstopo will continue adding to this information. The completeness of this information depends on the availability of suitable sources and their ability to be linked to the app, since swisstopo does not collect or maintain this data itself.

• Why is weather information only visible for certain POIs?

  The information on the current weather originates from MeteoSwiss. MeteoSwiss currently issues local forecasts for places and postcode areas, as well as for certain mountain huts, passes and summits. These are linked to the POIs in the Base Map.

Do you have any further questions? Here is an overview of the most frequently asked questions about the swisstopo app.