Why the map of the future will not look like a map

Until very recently rich geographical information has been a valuable, but highly specialized, corner of the Web. With the widespread adoption of Web Mapping and the growth of consumer applications built around location technology maps have become mainstream. In the near future however the most widespread use of geospatial information will be to provide context for applications of the linked web. A linked Web that understands geographical concepts will immediately make much of the Web more useful to the developers of Web applications and will provide an important foundation for the emerging Internet of Things.