---
title: WPF Map Control | Interactive World Maps Component | Syncfusion
description: The WPF Map control helps visualize geographical data or any arbitrary shape. It shows the statistical data of a particular geographical area on earth.
platform: WPF
control: Map
---

# WPF Map - Explore the World through Geographical Visualization

* Built-in support to display OpenStreetMaps, Bing Maps, and maps from other providers.
* Graphical representations of geographical points from shapefiles.
* Pins placed on maps show the current location or a particular location.

![WPF Map control banner](https://ft.syncfusion.com/featuretour/wpf/images/maps/wpf-maps-banner.png)

## Overview

The WPF Map control is a powerful data visualization component that displays statistical information for a geographical area. Its highly interactive and customizable features include zooming, panning, selecting, markers, legends, bubbles, and color mapping. Use this control, to render sales, political-boundary, weather, electoral, and route maps.

## WPF Maps code example
Easily get started with the WPF Maps using a few simple lines of XAML or C# code, as demonstrated below. Also explore this [WPF Map example](https://github.com/syncfusion/wpf-demos/tree/master/map), which shows how to render and configure the control.

```xaml

<Window xmlns:local="clr-namespace:MapsExample"
        xmlns:syncfusion="http://schemas.syncfusion.com/wpf">
    <syncfusion:SfMap>
        <syncfusion:SfMap.DataContext>
            <local:ViewModel />
        </syncfusion:SfMap.DataContext>
        <syncfusion:SfMap.Layers>
            <syncfusion:ShapeFileLayer ItemsSource="{Binding ElectionResults}"
                                       ShapeIDPath="State"
                                       ShapeIDTableField="STATE_NAME"
                                       Uri="GettingStarted.ShapeFiles.usa_states.shp">
                <syncfusion:ShapeFileLayer.ShapeSettings>
                    <syncfusion:ShapeSetting ShapeValuePath="Electors" />
                </syncfusion:ShapeFileLayer.ShapeSettings>
            </syncfusion:ShapeFileLayer>
        </syncfusion:SfMap.Layers>
    </syncfusion:SfMap>
</Window>
```

public class Model
{
 public string State { get; set; }
 public string Candidate { get; set; }
 public double Electors { get; set; }
}

public class ViewModel
{
 public ObservableCollection<Model> ElectionResults { get; set; }

 public ViewModel()
 {
 ElectionResults = new ObservableCollection<Model>
 {
 new Model { State = "Alabama", Candidate = "Romney", Electors = 9 },
 new Model { State = "Alaska", Candidate = "Romney", Electors = 3 },
 new Model { State = "Arizona", Candidate = "Romney", Electors = 11 },
 new Model { State = "Arkansas", Candidate = "Romney", Electors = 6 },
 new Model { State = "California", Candidate = "Obama", Electors = 55 }
 };
 }
}

## Shape layers

Render geographical shapes or custom shapes in the WPF Maps component.

* [Shape layers documentation](https://help.syncfusion.com/wpf/maps/layers#shape-file-layer)

![WPF Map data](https://ft.syncfusion.com/featuretour/wpf/images/maps/wpf-map-data.png)

### Data
Bind shapefiles (.shp) and GeoJSON (.json) data to maps to render any geometric shape.

![Customizing shapes in WPF Map](https://ft.syncfusion.com/featuretour/wpf/images/maps/wpf-map-customization.png)

### Customization
Customize the default style of a shape using color, stroke, and thickness properties.

![Adding custom shapes in WPF Map](https://ft.syncfusion.com/featuretour/wpf/images/maps/wpf-map-custom-shapes.png)

### Custom shapes
Render any custom shape to represent building infrastructure, sports stadiums, plane or bus seat arrangements, and more.

![Add a sublayer over a main layer in WPF Map](https://ft.syncfusion.com/featuretour/wpf/images/maps/wpf-map-sublayer.png)

### Sublayer

Load multiple shape files in a single map view. For example, add a sublayer over a main shape layer to view geographic features of a country such as rivers, valleys, and cities in a map.

## Imagery layers

Built-in support for external imagery services, such as Bing Maps and OpenStreetMap, to visualize satellite, aerial, street map, and other imagery tiles without using shapefiles. Apart from Bing Maps and OpenStreetMap, render maps from other map providers such as Google Maps, Azure Maps, and TomTom.

* [Imagery layers documentation](https://help.syncfusion.com/wpf/maps/layers#imagery-layer)

![WPF Map shows OpenStreetMap support using imagery services](https://ft.syncfusion.com/featuretour/wpf/images/maps/wpf-map-imagery-layer.png)

### OpenStreetMap (OSM)

OpenStreetMap (OSM) is a map of the world built by a community of mapmakers. It is free to use under an open license. It allows users to view geographical data from anywhere on the earth.

* [OpenStreetMap (OSM) documentation](https://help.syncfusion.com/wpf/maps/map-providers#open-street-map)

![WPF Map showing Bing Maps support using imagery services](https://ft.syncfusion.com/featuretour/wpf/images/maps/wpf-map-bing.jpg)

### Bing Maps

Bing Maps, owned by Microsoft, is a map of the entire world. It supports three types of map views: aerial, aerial with labels, and road.

* [Bing Maps documentation](https://help.syncfusion.com/wpf/maps/map-providers#bing-map)

![WPF Map showing Azure Maps support using imagery services](https://ft.syncfusion.com/featuretour/wpf/images/maps/wpf-azure-maps.webp)

### Azure Maps

Enable users to view interactive maps that load smoothly and display detailed map regions.

![WPF Map showing auto zoom support using imagery services](https://ft.syncfusion.com/featuretour/wpf/images/maps/wpf-map-auto-zoom.png)

### Auto zoom

Set the initial zoom level automatically based on map geo-bounds or distance (km/miles) from the geopoint center value.

## Data labels

Easily annotate WPF Map shapes with labels to improve the readability of a particular shape's name. Customize the look and feel of default labels using font style, size, and color properties.

![Customize data labels in WPF Map.](https://ft.syncfusion.com/featuretour/wpf/images/maps/wpf-map-datalabel1.png)

## Heat map

Produce a heat map by customizing shape colors based on the underlying shape value.

![Equal color mapping support for WPF Map.](https://ft.syncfusion.com/featuretour/wpf/images/maps/wpf-map-equal-color-mapping.png)

### Equal color mapping

Equal color mapping differentiates a shape's fill color based on its underlying value and color. For example, apply colors to states based on their winning political candidates.

![Range color mapping support for WPF Map](https://ft.syncfusion.com/featuretour/wpf/images/maps/wpf-map-range-color-mapping.png)

### Range color mapping

Apply colors to shapes by comparing their values with desired numeric ranges. For example, apply colors to states based on their population density.

## Map markers

Markers denote a place with symbols, like pins, or display a message at specific coordinates on a map.

* [Markers documentation](https://help.syncfusion.com/wpf/maps/markers)

![Different types of markers in WPF Map](https://ft.syncfusion.com/featuretour/wpf/images/maps/wpf-map-marker.png)

### Marker types

Set the marker type to built-in shapes such as circles, diamonds, rectangles, or squares to highlight a place.

![Customer annotation support in WPF Map](https://ft.syncfusion.com/featuretour/wpf/images/maps/wpf-map-custom-marker.png)

### Custom markers

Customize markers by adding images or any custom shape to highlight a location.

## Map bubbles

Bubbles are used to add information to shapes, such as population density and land area. They are rendered with various magnitudes and colors based on the underlying data values of the shapes.

![Customizing bubble colors in WPF Map](https://ft.syncfusion.com/featuretour/wpf/images/maps/wpf-map-color-customization.png)

### Color customization

Customize the default color of a bubble and its transparency using fill and opacity properties.

* [Color customization documentation](https://help.syncfusion.com/wpf/maps/shapes-color-customization)

![Customize bubble size in WPF Map](https://ft.syncfusion.com/featuretour/wpf/images/maps/wpf-map-size-customization.png)

### Size customization

Customize the minimum and maximum bubble size to enhance its readability.

## Map legend

Legends provide valuable information for interpreting map colors, shapes, and other identifiers.

* [Legend documentation](https://help.syncfusion.com/wpf/maps/legend)

![WPF Map showing customized legend position](https://ft.syncfusion.com/featuretour/wpf/images/maps/wpf-map-legend-position.png)

### Legend position

Move a legend to any position inside the WPF Map control.

![WPF Map showing customized legend icons](https://ft.syncfusion.com/featuretour/wpf/images/maps/wpf-map-icon-customization.png)

### Icon customization

The default size of a legend icon can be customized.

## User interactions

Interactive features, such as selecting, zooming, and panning, greatly enhance the user experience.

![WPF Map showing selection functionality while tapping shapes](https://ft.syncfusion.com/featuretour/wpf/images/maps/wpf-map-selection.gif)

### Selection

Select or highlight an area or shape to center the view over that area on a map.

![WPF Map showing zooming and panning functionality](https://ft.syncfusion.com/featuretour/wpf/images/maps/wpf-map-zooming.gif)

### Zooming and panning

Zooming allows users to get a closer look at a particular area, and panning allows users to move a map around to focus on a specific area.

* [Zooming and panning documentation](https://help.syncfusion.com/wpf/maps/userinteraction#zooming-and-panning)

### Tooltip

![WPF Map tooltip showing information about tapped elements](https://ft.syncfusion.com/featuretour/wpf/images/maps/wpf-map-tooltip.png)

Display a pop-up with additional information about the shapes, markers, and bubbles when hovering over map elements.

* [Tooltip documentation](https://help.syncfusion.com/wpf/maps/userinteraction#tooltip)

## Not sure how to create your first WPF Map control? Our documentation can help.

* [I'd love to read it now](https://help.syncfusion.com/wpf/maps/getting-started)

## Frequently asked questions

### Why should you choose the Syncfusion WPF Map control?

The Syncfusion WPF Maps control provides:
- The ability to render geometric or custom shapes using the shapefile data(.shp).
- Support to render maps from various web map tile providers like Bing, OSM, and Google Maps.
- Support to add markers on maps at specified latitude and longitude positions.
- Smooth zooming and panning.
- Simple configuration and APIs.
- A touch-friendly and responsive UI.
- Expansive learning resources such as [demos](https://github.com/syncfusion/wpf-demos/tree/master/map) and [documentation](https://help.syncfusion.com/wpf/maps/getting-started) to let you get started quickly with the control.

### Can I download and utilize the Syncfusion WPF Maps for free?

No, this is a commercial product and requires a paid license. However, a [free community license](https://www.syncfusion.com/products/communitylicense) is also available for companies and individuals whose organizations have less than $1 million USD in annual gross revenue and five or fewer developers.

### Where can I find the Syncfusion WPF Maps demo?

You can find our [WPF Maps demo on GitHub](https://github.com/syncfusion/wpf-demos).

App center [location](https://install.appcenter.ms/orgs/syncfusion-demos/apps/wpf-demos/distribution_groups/release).

Microsoft [location](https://apps.microsoft.com/store/detail/syncfusion-wpf-controls-examples/9N99KDHRFF6G?hl=en-us&gl=us&activetab=pivot%3Aoverviewtab).

### How do I get started with Syncfusion WPF Maps?

A good place to start would be our comprehensive [getting started documentation](https://help.syncfusion.com/wpf/maps/getting-started).