The sale of printed maps was suspended for almost a year. The National Land Survey discontinued printing 1:25,000 and 1:50,000 topographic maps published by map sheets in 2018. The sale of the maps continued until the end of 2024 but since then, these maps have not been available in printed form. The sale of printed maps was discontinued due to decreased demand and the need to reduce storage costs.
Although the maps have not been printed or sold, the National Land Survey has continued to maintain the topographic map data.
‘Most of the maps that are now on sale have been updated between 2020 and 2024, and updated maps are still published annually. We produce map sheets suitable for printing for the needs of the authorities and for archiving, for example,’ says Teemu Saloriutta, senior specialist in spatial data services at the National Land Survey of Finland.
Map printouts can be purchased from the National Land Survey
It is still possible to order a map that exactly meets individual needs through the National Land Survey’s MapSite service. A printout can be ordered for the selected area and in the desired scale and size. The printout is instantly available as a PDF file, or you can order it printed on paper or a weatherproof material directly to your home.
The latest available map data is always used in the National Land Survey’s printouts. The difference to the printed maps sold by Karttakauppa Suomi Oy is that the National Land Survey’s printouts do not contain any frame information, such as a legend for the map symbols, or a coordinate grid.
‘The printed maps include a legend for the map symbols and the declination information required for precise navigation. In addition, they include the MGRS coordinate grid that is important for reservist activities,’ Saloriutta adds.
Cooperation agreements enable the use of the National Land Survey’s materials
The recently signed agreement with Karttakauppa Suomi Oy is just one example of the ways in which the National Land Survey’s datasets can also be used as a basis for commercial services.
‘It is also possible for other companies to sign a similar agreement for the sale of printed maps and to use our datasets for various purposes. Our map materials are also available through various interfaces, making it possible to use them in the development of mobile applications, for example. It is great that our data materials are widely used and that we can introduce more services that benefit citizens to the market,’ says Saloriutta.
Further information
Teemu Saloriutta, senior specialist, spatial data services, +358 50 574 6201, firstname.lastname@nls.fi
If you are interested in using the National Land Survey’s datasets in your business, please contact verkkopalvelut@maanmittauslaitos.fi.