Future progress of the Geoweb

The development of virtual maps on the internet (Geoweb or Geospatial Web) in the last few years has experienced an exceptional boom which has yet to reach its peak. New technologies have enabled the creation of Geowebs through which information is delivered to users; the quantity and type of geoweb information delivered are increasing daily. The visualization of the planet through Geoweb applications and web pages has become a major force in increasing the importance of geographical and positional information. As the Geoweb is extremely easy to use, the number of users today is in the hundreds of millions.Therefore it can be said that the Geoweb has become a cultural phenomenon. The next phase in the development of the Geoweb is expected to be in the areas of incorporating GIS (Geographic Information System) into the Geoweb and the reverse, and in developing new delivery systems for the Geoweb, on fixed and mobile internet platforms. Further development of the Geoweb in Croatia depends on a number of parameters. For this reason, further development is presented in this thesis in four dimensions these being the informational, technological, cultural and business. Anybody considering becoming a publisher of Geoweb content should consider these four dimensions when planning their developmental strategy, to enhance their chances of success. The Geoweb is definitely here to stay. It will continue to expand in terms of the volume of information delivery and the range and capabilities of the delivery systems.