Offline World Map for Kiwix (.ZIM)



This project provides an offline, interactive world map packaged as a single ZIM file for use with Kiwix.
It demonstrates that the ZIM file format can be used not only for wiki-style content, but also to deliver a fully interactive, pan-and-zoom world map using standard web technologies.
What this is
The Offline World Map is a self-contained map application bundled inside a single .zim file.
When opened in Kiwix, it behaves like a website that works entirely offline.
It includes:
- OpenStreetMap-based map tiles
- Sentinel-2 cloudless satellite imagery
- A Leaflet-based JavaScript map viewer
Most offline maps are distributed as MBTiles, vector databases, or app-specific formats.
This project explores a different approach: using ZIM as an offline web container.
Advantages:
- Single-file distribution
- Works on all platforms supported by Kiwix (desktop and mobile)
- No dedicated map application required
- Easy to archive and share
Features
- Global coverage
- Multiple zoom levels
- Map and satellite imagery layers
- Fully offline pan-and-zoom navigation
- Runs inside the Kiwix reader
Downloads
The ZIM file is available here:
Videos
Licensing and attribution
This project is a compilation and packaging effort.
Individual components are licensed separately:
- OpenStreetMap data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL)
- Satellite imagery: Sentinel-2 cloudless (CC BY 4.0, EOX IT Services GmbH)
- Leaflet © Vladimir Agafonkin and contributors (BSD 2-Clause)
Compilation, integration, and packaging © Anthony Karam.
- Project name: Offline World Map
- Format: ZIM file
- Platform: Kiwix (desktop and mobile)
- Category: Offline maps / geographic reference
- Technologies: Leaflet, OpenStreetMap, Sentinel-2
- Author: Anthony Karam
- Canonical URL: https://anthonykaram.github.io/offline-world-map/