Basemaps are the backdrop under your own data: topographic maps, imagery, historical maps and terrain. They are not a thematic sphere. Each basemap note records where it comes from, its collection method, and the attribution and licence you must respect when you publish a map with it.
- Danish basemaps come from Klimadatastyrelsen through Datafordeleren or Dataforsyningen and need your own API key or token (see Access Profiles). Where both portals serve a basemap, Datafordeleren is preferred.
- International basemaps are XYZ tile services that may be used directly with attribution, within their providers’ terms; CARTO’s need your own free API key. Google Maps tiles are not included: Google’s terms forbid using its tiles directly; they are only available through its Map Tiles API with a key.
- In QGIS, the SemanticGIS plugin lists the same basemaps under Basemaps and adds them at the bottom of the layer tree with their attribution.
Topographic
Maps of roads, buildings, terrain and names, for orientation.
| Basemap | Period | Provider | Your key | Licence | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CARTO Dark Matter (dark) | CARTO | 🔒 CARTO basemaps API key | Requires a CARTO API key (see carto.com/basemaps/apikey); attribution required | no | |
| CARTO Positron (light) | CARTO | 🔒 CARTO basemaps API key | Requires a CARTO API key (see carto.com/basemaps/apikey); attribution required | no | |
| OpenStreetMap | OpenStreetMap Foundation | — | Map data ODbL; tiles under the OSM tile usage policy (light use only, no bulk downloading) | yes | |
| OpenTopoMap | OpenTopoMap | — | CC-BY-SA; free use with attribution | yes | |
| Skærmkort — classic | Klimadatastyrelsen (Datafordeleren / Dataforsyningen) | 🔒 Datafordeleren API key | CC BY 4.0 (free Danish geodata from Klimadatastyrelsen) | yes | |
| Skærmkort — dæmpet (muted) | Klimadatastyrelsen (Datafordeleren / Dataforsyningen) | 🔒 Datafordeleren API key | CC BY 4.0 (free Danish geodata from Klimadatastyrelsen) | yes | |
| Skærmkort — grå (grey) | Klimadatastyrelsen (Datafordeleren / Dataforsyningen) | 🔒 Datafordeleren API key | CC BY 4.0 (free Danish geodata from Klimadatastyrelsen) | yes | |
| Topografisk kortværk 1:25 000 | Klimadatastyrelsen (Datafordeleren / Dataforsyningen) | 🔒 Datafordeleren API key | CC BY 4.0 (free Danish geodata from Klimadatastyrelsen) | yes |
Imagery
Orthophotos and satellite mosaics, for seeing and digitising the surface.
| Basemap | Period | Provider | Your key | Licence | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Esri World Imagery | Esri | — | Esri terms of use; attribution required | yes | |
| Sentinel-2 cloudless 2023 (EOX) | EOX IT Services | — | CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 (non-commercial use) | yes | |
| Spring orthophoto (GeoDanmark) | Klimadatastyrelsen (Datafordeleren / Dataforsyningen) | 🔒 Datafordeleren API key | CC BY 4.0 (free Danish geodata from Klimadatastyrelsen) | yes | |
| Summer orthophoto 2005 | 2005 | Klimadatastyrelsen (Datafordeleren / Dataforsyningen) | 🔒 Dataforsyningen token | CC BY 4.0 (free Danish geodata from Klimadatastyrelsen) | yes |
Historical
Historical map series, for change over time.
| Basemap | Period | Provider | Your key | Licence | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Høje målebordsblade | 1842–1899 | Klimadatastyrelsen (Datafordeleren / Dataforsyningen) | 🔒 Dataforsyningen token | CC BY 4.0 (free Danish geodata from Klimadatastyrelsen) | yes |
| Lave målebordsblade | 1901–1971 | Klimadatastyrelsen (Datafordeleren / Dataforsyningen) | 🔒 Dataforsyningen token | CC BY 4.0 (free Danish geodata from Klimadatastyrelsen) | yes |
| Preussiske målebordsblade | 1877–1920 | Klimadatastyrelsen (Datafordeleren / Dataforsyningen) | 🔒 Dataforsyningen token | CC BY 4.0 (free Danish geodata from Klimadatastyrelsen) | yes |
Terrain
Shaded relief, for landform context under thematic data.
| Basemap | Period | Provider | Your key | Licence | Verified |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DHM shaded relief (exaggerated) | Klimadatastyrelsen (Datafordeleren / Dataforsyningen) | 🔒 Dataforsyningen token | CC BY 4.0 (free Danish geodata from Klimadatastyrelsen) | yes | |
| Esri World Hillshade | Esri | — | Esri terms of use; attribution required | yes |