Location map

Location map

A template for displaying location information with a link to Google Maps. Location map templates are commonly used across geographic and humanitarian documentation to provide quick access to mapping services, with various implementations supporting multiple mapping platforms such as OpenStreetMap and commercial services.

This template generates a formatted display box with the provided address and creates a direct link to Google Maps search results. When coordinates are provided, they can be used in conjunction with the address parameter for more precise mapping, though the current implementation primarily relies on address-based geocoding through Google's search API.

Usage

{{Location map
| address = 123 Main Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
| coordinates = 39.9526,-75.1652
}}

The template accepts both required and optional parameters. At minimum, an address must be provided for the template to generate a functional map link. The coordinates parameter, while optional, can improve mapping accuracy for locations that may be difficult to geocode from address alone.

Parameters

Parameter	Required	Description
address	Yes	Street address or location description that will be displayed and used for map search query
coordinates	No	Latitude and longitude in decimal degrees format (e.g., 39.9526,-75.1652) for precise mapping

Coordinates should be provided in decimal degrees format with latitude first, followed by longitude, separated by a comma. The template currently does not support degrees-minutes-seconds (DMS) notation. For best results, use coordinates obtained from reliable geographic sources or coordinate conversion tools.

Examples

Using the template with only an address parameter generates a simple map link:

{{Location map
| address = 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20500
}}

Including coordinates alongside the address provides additional precision for mapping services:

{{Location map
| address = United Nations Headquarters, New York, NY
| coordinates = 40.7489,-73.9680
}}

Technical notes

The template relies on Google Maps Search API for geocoding and map display. Users without access to Google services or those with JavaScript disabled in their browsers may not be able to utilize the map links generated by this template. The address parameter is URL-encoded to ensure special characters and spaces are properly handled in the generated map link.

International cartographic organizations such as the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) maintain location map standards for various regions and applications. These standards typically include considerations for coordinate systems, map projections, and accessibility requirements that may inform future enhancements to this template.

See also

• Geographic coordinate templates
• Mapping and cartography templates
• External link formatting guidelines