GeoPlanet
| Company type | Service |
|---|---|
| Industry | Geographic information systems |
| Predecessor | GDC |
| Headquarters | London , United Kingdom |
| Products | Geospatial data system, WOEID |
| Owner | Yahoo! (since 2005) |
GeoPlanet serves as a comprehensive system for managing global geospatial data and generating textual and map-based outputs, including digital cartography for any place around the world. It functions as a location framework supporting search engines, online portals, as well as both Web and WAP platforms. Originally created by GDC, a geographic information firm headquartered in London, GDC was acquired by Whereonearth in 1998. Following the 2002 spin-off of GDC by Whereonearth, GeoPlanet remained under Whereonearth's control. Subsequently, Yahoo! acquired Whereonearth in 2005, thereby obtaining GeoPlanet.[1]
At the core of GeoPlanet lies the WOEID (Where On Earth IDentifier), a distinctive 32-bit identifier developed by Yahoo! that uniquely tags any geographic entity on Earth.[2] The platform’s hierarchical design allows users to navigate through adjacent locations and various administrative boundaries.[3] Yahoo! made WOEID data publicly accessible in 2009,[4] but halted data downloads after June 2012 to pursue enhanced methods of data distribution.[5]
In June 2015, Yahoo declared the termination of GeoPlanet APIs, consolidating their features into Yahoo Query Language and BOSS APIs.[6] By late August 2016, GeoPlanet APIs ceased functioning.[7]