Short for Geography Markup Language, an XML-based language for encoding geographic information in order to be stored and transported over the Internet. Developed by the OpenGIS Consortium, GML defines both the geometry and properties of objects that comprise geographic information. GML is a practical application for transferring cartographic information over the Web. Instead of transmitting a GIF or JPG map, GML allows the data to be controlled on the browser end by the user who receives geometries and geographic features and customizes how the data is to be displayed. Geographic data in GML can be sent to any device with an XML interface.
OpenGIS Consortium A member-driven, non-profit international trade association that works with government, private industry, and academia to create open and extensible software application programming interfaces for geographic information systems and other mainstream technologies.
