Basemaps and Satellite Imagery in QGIS

Luisa Zuccolo

QGIS allows users to access basemaps and satellite imagery from different sources and servers, making it easier to visualize spatial data and perform a wide range of analyses.

How to Add These Layers in QGIS
  1. Open QGIS;
  2. Right-click on the top toolbar and enable the Browser Panel, as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1- QGIS Panels

 

3. In the Browser Panel, right-click on XYZ Tiles and then select New Connection… (Figure 2).

Figure 2 – Criar uma nova conexão XYZ

 

4. In the Name field, enter a name for the new connection.

5. In the URL field, enter the URL of the desired server. In the example shown in Figure 3, the Google Earth URL was used..

Figure 3 – Enter New Connection Information

 

  1. Click OK.
  2. Repeat the same process for WMS and WFS services using the URLs listed below.

 

Useful URL Examples for QGIS Projects

Sentinel-2

Provides Sentinel-2 satellite mosaic imagery.

Connection Type: WMS

https://tiles.maps.eox.at/wmts?SERVICE=WMTS&REQUEST=GetCapabilities

TerraBrasilis

Provides access to environmental and geospatial data for Brazil.

Connection Type: WMS or WFS

https://terrabrasilis.dpi.inpe.br/geoserver/ows

SICAR

Provides access to the Rural Environmental Registry (CAR) polygons for each Brazilian state, including both canceled records and records under review.

Connection Type: WFS

https://geoserver.car.gov.br/geoserver/sicar/wms

Bing

Provides Bing satellite imagery.

Connection Type: XYZ Tiles

http://ecn.t3.tiles.virtualearth.net/tiles/a{q}.jpeg?g=1

Google Earth

Provides Google Earth satellite imagery and mosaics.

Connection Type: XYZ Tiles

https://mt1.google.com/vt/lyrs=s&x={x}&y={y}&z={z}

Google Maps

Allows Google Maps visualization directly within QGIS.

Connection Type: XYZ Tiles

https://mt1.google.com/vt/lyrs=m&x={x}&y={y}&z={z}

OpenStreetMap

Allows OpenStreetMap visualization directly within QGIS.

Connection Type: XYZ Tiles

https://tile.openstreetmap.org/{z}/{x}/{y}.png

Mapzen Global Terrain

Provides terrain imagery and geomorphological features useful for terrain analysis.

Connection Type: XYZ Tiles

https://s3.amazonaws.com/elevation-tiles-prod/terrarium/{z}/{x}/{y}.png

ESRI World Imagery

Provides high-resolution satellite imagery mosaics from ESRI.

Connection Type: XYZ Tiles

https://services.arcgisonline.com/arcgis/rest/services/World_Imagery/MapServer/tile/{z}/{y}/{x}

Advantages of Using Online Basemaps in QGIS
  • Access current satellite imagery without downloading large datasets.
  • Improve the visualization and interpretation of spatial information.
  • Add geographic context to thematic maps and analyses.
  • Integrate multiple data sources into a single GIS project.
  • Reduce local storage requirements by streaming data directly from online servers.
  • Support environmental, urban, cadastral, and infrastructure projects with high-quality reference imagery.

The ability to connect QGIS directly to online map services makes it a powerful and flexible platform for geospatial analysis, cartography, and decision support.