Avenza Maps Turns 10 - The Top 10 Series (Part 1)
It’s officially August, and the Avenza Maps team has something to celebrate, this month marks the 10th anniversary of our app! Over the past ten years, we’ve worked hard to improve our incredible mapping app with the many features suggested or inspired by our users. Don’t worry; we have even more great features on our road map that you’ll soon be counting as your favourites!
To celebrate we’ve compiled a series of Top 10 lists! Some are interesting, some are cool, some are downright fun. Join this month in celebration, and we hope you find inspiration for your next adventure!
Top 10 Most Downloaded Maps
As you’ll see in the following top 10 list, our in-app Avenza Maps Map Store is our greatest feature! The Map Store is built directly into the Avenza Maps app and gives users access to over 500,000 maps from all over the world. With that kind of selection, one has to wonder, which are the most downloaded? So we bring you our first list, the top 10 most downloaded maps from the Avenza Maps Map Store!
1. The Bear Mountain Hikes, NY by New York - New Jersey Trail Conference
2. Bear Mountain State Park Trail Map by New York State Parks
3. Minnewaska State Park Preserve Trail Map - New York State Parks
4. US National Park System by US National Park Service
5. NPS Great Smoky Mountains by Great Smoky Mountains National Park
6. Roosevelt NF (North) by US Forest Service R2 Rocky Mountain Region
7. Bornholm Mapguide by Kortguide-Bornholm.dk
8. Hudson Highlands State Park by New York State Parks
9. Roosevelt NF (South) by US Forest Service R2 Rocky Mountain Region
10. Watkins Glen State Park Trail Map - New York State Parks
Top 10 Features of Avenza Maps
When you have an app that’s as powerful and versatile as Avenza Maps, it isn’t easy to whittle down the best features to 10. We did our best and took suggestions from our awesome users! Which is your favourite Avenza Maps feature?
1. Map Store
Well, we gave this one away already, the number one feature of Avenza Maps is the Map Store! Browse and buy from thousands of internationally renowned map producers, all from your device. Then download directly to your phone and see your location instantly with Avenza Maps. Professionally created and independently verified, each of our 500,000+ maps will show you why thousands of users choose Avenza Maps every day.
2. Location GPS without Wi-Fi or cell network
Next to the maps, the most critical feature of Avenza Maps is the ability to use GPS location data from your phone, even when you’re not within range of cell signal. Each map is georeferenced, giving you instant pinpoint location accuracy on any map from our store. Don’t worry about not having Wi-Fi; this feature works without any Wi-Fi or cellular network signal and is available for all Avenza Maps users.
3. Coordinates
There are many reasons you may need to give your coordinates to someone or use coordinates to find a specific location. So many reasons lead to various formats for each use case. Different industries also tend to use specific coordinate formats. Avenza Maps allows more than 6 different formatting types for coordinates, and you can also instantly toggle between them!
4. What3Words integration
One of the newest coordinate formats to the mapping community has been What3Words. This mapping format breaks the earth down into 3 m squares and assigns a unique three-word address to each. What3Words makes giving an accurate location to friends or emergency responders easy and simple. Great for everything from hiking trails to outdoor concert venues!
5. Navigation
Knowing where you’re going and how to get there is always a critical use case for Avenza Maps. With our Navigation features, you can draw your route before heading out, or retrace a current path. Either way, you’re easily able to reverse directions and always find your way back home.
6. Geofence Areas
This feature is used to keep you in or out of specific areas. Fence off an area on the map and be notified when you’re approaching the edge of the perimeter. Use cases include hunters always knowing their staying in their approved areas or helping racers remain on the route.
7. Drop Pins
When it comes to pin drops, the list of uses is endless—Mark hydration stations for runners during a race. Help travellers locate washrooms at a local park. Or drop a pin to note the location of a specific tree to be removed. Pins can be dropped anywhere and are customizable.
8. Record GPS Tracks
By enabling GPS tracks, you can save your path and edit properties like colour to signify different routes. Which route is shorter? Trying to beat a personal best? Track your routes and compare! There are a million reasons people need to trace their paths; this feature makes it possible, accurate, and straightforward.
9. Trip Information
Distance travelled, total time, average speed, and even elevation changes, the information you can get in Avenza Maps is incredible! You often need to get more from your trip than just a map trace. That’s where our detailed trip information helps. These analytics are industry-leading and will help you discover the specifics that make your trip interesting!
10. Plot Geotagged Photos on a Map
This feature was voted as “Most Fun” by our team! Have a collection of photos from your hike? You can add geotagged pictures to any map with the Plot Photos feature. Share memories or confirm you’re in the right location, recreational and professional users alike love it!
Don't wait, read the second blog in this series, 10 Years of Mobile Mapping, now!