Singapore has recently launched a high-resolution one-stop map for interaction with government data and services called OneMap. OneMap integrates data and services from a large number of government agencies, providing location-based services and information. Users can search for locations, get driving directions, obtain details from government agencies, and explore the highly-detailed map.

 In addition to an online browsing experience, OneMap also offers an Application Programming Interface (API) that allows organizations to embed a map in their own website. The OneMap API allows companies to embed a map with locations and directions with just a few lines of code. There is also a mashup capability where you can combine your own data with data available in the OneMap database for display on the basemap.

The country-wide overview of OneMap can be explored at multiple levels.

There are layers on the map to view street maps or land lot parcel information. When you turn on both of these layers, you are able to toggle the view between the two in order to reveal the information between the different layers.

The OneMap can be queried for such services as schools, property prices, retail spaces to lease, businesses for familieis, emergency services, parking, water levels, birdwatching hotspots, volunteer opportunities, and more.

There are tools that allow the user to measure and draw shapes on the map, to embed a smaller map for greater context in a bird's eye view, and to store your location to share with others.

A detailed OneMap view includes building footprints.

There area  broad number of themes that can be queried via pull-down menus that include community, culture, education, environment, family, health, recreation and sports. Clicking on one of the themes displays icons on the map that you can then navigate to.

There are a number of portal services that use the basemap to deliver additional information, including a yellow pages feature, a real-time traffic viewer, and location intelligence that allows you to analyse locations for your business or personal needs.

The number of data partners and services that are available via OneMap are impressive, and the functionality and speed of the application make it very easy to use. There are some features here, including the easy access to spatial analysis, that make this offering unique and cutting edge. It's clear that the development of OneMap was done with an eye toward scalability as well as to pioneer new ground. It's an ambitious effort to declare a central OneMap for a country, and Singapore has done a commendable job toward this goal.