KML

KML
Name	KML
Extension	.kml, .kmz
Developer	Google, Open Geospatial Consortium
Extended from	XML

KML is an XML-based language used for expressing geographic annotation and visualization within Google Earth, Google Maps, and other Keyhole-based applications, developed by Google and the Open Geospatial Consortium. KML is used to describe and visualize geographic information systems, such as GIS data, and is supported by various organizations, including the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, United States Geological Survey, and NASA. The use of KML has been promoted by Google through its Google Earth and Google Maps platforms, and has been adopted by other companies, such as Esri, Autodesk, and Bentley Systems. KML has also been used in various applications, including urban planning, emergency response, and environmental monitoring, with the support of organizations like the Federal Emergency Management Agency, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the United Nations Environment Programme.

Introduction to KML

KML is a file format used to display geographic data in an Earth browser such as Google Earth, Google Maps, or any other KML-compatible geographic information system. The language is based on XML and is used to annotate and visualize geographic information systems, such as GIS data, and is supported by various organizations, including the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, United States Geological Survey, and NASA. KML files can contain a variety of elements, including placemarks, paths, and polygons, which can be used to represent different types of geographic features, such as mountains, rivers, and cities, with the support of organizations like the United States Army Corps of Engineers, National Park Service, and the World Wildlife Fund. The use of KML has been promoted by Google through its Google Earth and Google Maps platforms, and has been adopted by other companies, such as Esri, Autodesk, and Bentley Systems, with the support of organizations like the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, Urban and Regional Information Systems Association, and the International Cartographic Association.

History of KML

The development of KML began in 2004, when Google acquired Keyhole, a company that developed a geographic information system called Keyhole Markup Language. The language was later renamed to KML and was released as an open standard in 2008, with the support of organizations like the Open Geospatial Consortium, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, and the United States Geological Survey. Since then, KML has become a widely-used format for expressing geographic annotation and visualization, with the support of companies like Microsoft, IBM, and Oracle Corporation, and organizations like the Federal Geographic Data Committee, National States Geographic Information Council, and the International Organization for Standardization. KML has also been used in various applications, including urban planning, emergency response, and environmental monitoring, with the support of organizations like the Federal Emergency Management Agency, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the United Nations Environment Programme, and has been adopted by other companies, such as Esri, Autodesk, and Bentley Systems.

KML File Structure

A KML file is composed of a series of elements, including placemarks, paths, and polygons, which can be used to represent different types of geographic features, such as mountains, rivers, and cities. The file structure of a KML file is based on XML and consists of a series of nested elements, including the kml element, the Document element, and the Placemark element, with the support of organizations like the World Wide Web Consortium, Internet Engineering Task Force, and the International Organization for Standardization. The kml element is the root element of the file and contains the Document element, which in turn contains the Placemark element, with the support of companies like Microsoft, IBM, and Oracle Corporation. The Placemark element can contain a variety of child elements, including the name element, the description element, and the geometry element, which can be used to represent different types of geographic features, such as points, lines, and polygons, with the support of organizations like the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, United States Geological Survey, and NASA.

KML Elements and Features

KML files can contain a variety of elements, including placemarks, paths, and polygons, which can be used to represent different types of geographic features, such as mountains, rivers, and cities. The placemark element is used to represent a point on the Earth's surface, while the path element is used to represent a line or a series of connected lines, with the support of organizations like the United States Army Corps of Engineers, National Park Service, and the World Wildlife Fund. The polygon element is used to represent a closed shape, such as a building or a lake, with the support of companies like Esri, Autodesk, and Bentley Systems. KML files can also contain other elements, such as folders and network links, which can be used to organize and link to other KML files, with the support of organizations like the Federal Geographic Data Committee, National States Geographic Information Council, and the International Organization for Standardization.

Applications of KML

KML has a wide range of applications, including urban planning, emergency response, and environmental monitoring, with the support of organizations like the Federal Emergency Management Agency, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the United Nations Environment Programme. KML can be used to visualize and analyze geographic data, such as population density, climate patterns, and natural disaster risk, with the support of companies like Microsoft, IBM, and Oracle Corporation. KML can also be used to create interactive maps and geographic information systems, such as Google Earth and Google Maps, with the support of organizations like the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, United States Geological Survey, and NASA. Additionally, KML can be used in various fields, such as archaeology, geology, and biology, to visualize and analyze geographic data, with the support of organizations like the National Science Foundation, Smithsonian Institution, and the World Health Organization.

KML Tools and Software

There are a variety of tools and software available for working with KML files, including Google Earth, Google Maps, and other KML-compatible geographic information systems, with the support of companies like Esri, Autodesk, and Bentley Systems. Other tools and software, such as KML Editor and KML Converter, can be used to create, edit, and convert KML files, with the support of organizations like the Open Geospatial Consortium, National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, and the United States Geological Survey. Additionally, programming languages, such as Java and Python, can be used to create custom KML applications and tools, with the support of organizations like the Apache Software Foundation, Python Software Foundation, and the World Wide Web Consortium. Overall, the availability of these tools and software has made it easier to work with KML files and to create custom KML applications, with the support of companies like Microsoft, IBM, and Oracle Corporation, and organizations like the Federal Geographic Data Committee, National States Geographic Information Council, and the International Organization for Standardization.

Category:Geographic information systems