Queries and Data

The basic parameter of geocoding is the query parameter, which represents the searched textual query. This text is analyzed and compared with an extensive database of geographical and toponymic data. The query can be in the form of a place name, address, point of interest (POI) name, or geographic coordinates in text format.

Parameter type

The type parameter is used to specify the type of data to search for. This parameter distinguishes between three main categories (and allows combinations or selection of subcategories):

  1. regional: This category (plus subcategories) focuses on searches within the regional structure. It includes queries for addresses, streets, cities, regions, and countries.
  2. poi: When the type parameter is set to poi, the search focuses on Points of Interest (POI). This includes queries for restaurants, hotels, bus stops, observation towers, castles, and other locations.
  3. coordinate: This type is used to convert textually entered geographic coordinates into a specific location on the map. It can process coordinates in various formats.

Smart Search

The Geocoding and Suggestions features search data using intelligent (and continuously evolving) algorithms. This goes beyond the exact text match with the database and also works with different word forms, language variants, and even corrects common typos. This “magic” behind the search enables users to find the desired location even with incomplete or inaccurate queries. The system uses sophisticated algorithms that consider synonyms, regional names, and common writing errors. For example, the search can handle:

Various input formats

  • Dlouhá 21, Praha 1
  • Dlouhá 737, Praha 1
  • Dlouhá 737/21, Praha
  • Dlouhá 21, 110 00
  • Dlouhá 21, Staré město

Different order

  • Dlouhá 21, Praha 1
  • Praha 1, Dlouhá 21
  • 11000, Dlouhá 21
  • ..

Different input languages

  • Václavské náměstí 1, Praha 1
  • Wenceslas Square 846/1
  • Wenzelsplatz 1, prager neustadt

Local names

  • Václavák 846/1

Typos, diacritics (only for suggestions, machine learning model)

  • dloha 21 pracha 1
  • vaclafske namsti 1

Search by GPS Coordinates

When using type=coordinate, geocoding can recognize various GPS coordinate formats. Here are examples (not an exhaustive list). The recognition is also influenced by the language settings.

WGS-84

  • 50.6795675N; 14.8752756E
  • “50° 41′ 47.52″ N, 15° 6′ 18.57″ E”
  • 0°41’47.638″N, 15°44’18.348″E
  • 49°10′ 47.69″N, 16°29’40.01″E
  • 49°26’7.109″N,13°28’58.555″E
  • 49°50’37.604″N,15°57’29.891″E
  • 49°18’24.387″N,16°40’40.949″E
  • 49:59:16.28N 013:26:19.83E
  • 50.088153,14.40094
  • 50.55533 15.12943
  • N50 4.315, E14 24.181
  • N 49° 32.797 E 017° 42.614
  • 33U E 509168 N 5600386
  • UTM: 33U E 509168 N 5600386
  • N 49° 21´ 04.144´´ E 15° 38´ 57.300´´
  • N 50° 33′ 19.188″ E 15° 7′ 45.948
  • N 50° 33.320 E 015° 07.766
  • 40 N, 47 E
  • 40 S, 47 V

OLC

  • 9F2P3CC2+C83

S-JTSK (Unified Trigonometric Cadastral Network System, applicable in the Czech Republic)

  • jtsk: 801310.09, 1077249.26
  • -801310.09, -1077249.26
  • Y: 801310.09, X: 1077249.26
  • Y: 801310,09, X: 1077249,26

Detailed Data

No matter how smart the search is, it cannot find anything without searching through a detailed database. The data our search uses includes:

Address points

CZ

  • The primary source is regularly imported RUIAN
  • The editorial team sometimes adds “custom” addresses (if they are not yet available in RUIAN or if it is a locally used “unofficial” designation)

The rest of the world

  • The base layer consists of data from OpenStreetMap
  • In individual countries we gradually supplement data with local registries
    • We have detailed data for the following countries: Slovakia (SK), Austria (AT), Poland (PL), Switzerland (CH), Belgium (BE), Luxembourg (LU), Slovenia (SI), Estonia (EE), Italy (IT), Denmark (DK), Norway (NO), Finland (FI), Netherlands (NL), France (FR) and Croatia (HR).
    • And we continue to process more.

We maintain regional data both in the native language and by researching translations into additional languages as well as various alternative names.

ZIP codes

  • We have them in the following countries: Czech Republic (CZ), Slovakia (SK), Germany (DE), Poland (PL), Austria (AT), Hungary (HU), Italy (IT), France (FR), United Kingdom (UK), Switzerland (CH), Spain (ES), Luxembourg (LU), Belgium (BE), Netherlands (NL), Norway (NO), Finland (FI)
  • And we continue to process more.