Open-source data aids in creating a Minecraft replica of the UK, as managed by Ordnance Survey.

Open-source data aids in creating a Minecraft replica of the UK, as managed by Ordnance Survey.

Let's chill, mate! The Ordnance Survey, Britain's map kings, leveraged their open data to construct a 3D Minecraft replica of Blighty.

This grand Minecraft world, christened the UK's largest ever built, encompasses a whopping 224,000 square kilometers (86,000 square miles). It's so accurately done that each of the 22 billion blocks correspond to 50 meters of real-world terrain, from humble woodland to bustling roads and water features.

Yep, you guessed it! It's all open data baby, supplied through these cool, free products Ordnance Survey like to call 'OS OpenData'.

Overseen by intern (and the new boss) Joseph Braybook, this mammoth project was a walk in the park. With their expertise, they navigated the terrain like pros. The world is now accessible through the Ordnance Survey's free Getamap service, where users can zoom, search, and navigate to specific locations. Want to build your dream house on virtual Kensington Palace's garden? Go for it, champ!

This Minecraft project's not just about making digital fun, it's about education, dudes! The Ordnance Survey expects teachers to use it as a teaching aid, opening doors for computer technology and geography lessons. Graham Dunlop, Innovation Lab Manager at OS, reckons this could be a game-changer:

"The map shows the massive potential, not just for using Minecraft for comp tech and geog purposes in schools, but also the huge scope for applications of OS OpenData too."**

And if school ain't your thing, remember, April saw the Ordnance Survey opening up access to varied sets of mapping data alongside their paid products. Hey, free is always fun!

Now, you might be wondering, "What else can these Ordnance Survey cats do?" And, my friend, that's a long tale, so just know they've been reimagining their digital MasterMap for the last three years. They call it the GeoSpatial Data Management System, and it holds data for over 450 million geographical features charted across Britain. Cool, huh?

References:1. Ordnance Survey revamps its digital MasterMap2. Project aims to put the Internet of things into schools3. "Slopey Roofs" Initiative - using open datasets to optimize solar panel placement

This Minecraft world, built using open data from the Ordnance Survey, is not just a platform for digital fun but also an educational tool for computer technology and geography lessons. Furthermore, the Ordnance Survey is leveraging technology to reimagine their digital MasterMap, known as the GeoSpatial Data Management System, which holds data for over 450 million geographical features in Britain, providing a wealth of data for various applications in data-and-cloud-computing and gadgets.

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