Maps are more than just directions from point A to point B. In many communities, maps help people understand the places they live, work, and gather. They can show not only roads and buildings, but also food banks, safe spaces, local businesses, and shared stories. When people create their own maps, they decide what matters. This can include anything from historical landmarks to where the nearest defibrillator is located. By choosing what gets pinned, communities create a picture of what's important to them. Custom maps can be made by individuals, neighbors, or community groups. They are often designed around a shared goal, such as improving access to services, documenting local culture, or organizing events. These maps give people a way to collect and share knowledge that might not exist anywhere else.
Large events are complex environments with many moving parts. From concerts and conferences to festivals and trade shows, they often span multiple buildings or outdoor areas. Attendees are expected to find their way around unfamiliar spaces, often with limited guidance.
Many local food spots, like street vendors, small family-run stalls, and pop-up stands, exist all around neighborhoods without being listed online. They may serve regional dishes, snacks, or drinks that are hard to find anywhere else. These places often stay off the radar of popular digital mapping tools. They might not show up in search results, even if they’ve been operating for years. For people interested in discovering locations in your local area like food stalls that are not on Google Maps, it's helpful to understand why these places are often excluded. This section explains the reasons behind their absence from mainstream digital maps.