Creating an Interactive Web Map using QGIS and Folium

Overview

The goal of this tutorial is to provide a step-by-step process for developing an interactive web map using open datasets, QGIS, GeoPandas and the python library Folium.

Introduction

While this might seem like a daunting task at first, this guide will hopefully demonstrate that the workflow is rather simple once the steps are described in an easy to follow way. Now, you might be wondering, what’s the point? But this process will illustrate several skills that are broadly relevant to Geomatics, as it will provide an opportunity to practice in many different aspects of GIS knowledge, such as data preparation, its manipulation in a Python environment, as well as the integration of modern web mapping techniques.

By the end of this tutorial you should be able to:

• Successfully acquire and prepare GIS open datasets so that they are well organized and ready for your intended use.
• Utilize core QGIS tools and applications to load, analyze, and manipulate data (should it be necessary).
• Integrate QGIS projects into a Python environment and understand the workflow that facilitated this process.
• Develop a personalized interactive web map using the Folium library and your processed QGIS data.
• Visualize your data in an appealing format using modern web mapping techniques.
• Be confident in your ability to engage with new geospatial skills and refine your core GIS competencies.

Software

This guide will mostly rely on QGIS and Folium for its data development and map creation. These are both free, open source software's that are easily accessible and provide a variety of tools at your disposal.

If you do not already have QGIS downloaded it can be found here. QGIS version 3.44.3 'Solothurn' will be used in this tutorial, though other versions should work without issue. It will be assumed that at this point you already have a general understanding of GIS practices, but some guidance will be provided on how to properly import and organize your data. Additional information on QGIS and all of its applications can be found on the official [https://qgis.org/resources/hub/ QGIS Resources page.