Free online map of Dhaka

Until recently Bangladesh has been lagging behind in the technological craze of digital and online mapping. Unlike in other parts of the world, on-line maps, that are printable, are not available here to orientate people. Luxury cars equipped with GPS do not have proper routing maps and Internet users have access only to Google's satellite image of Bangladesh.
Today a small group of GPS and Internet users have started creating a free online map of Dhaka and Bangladesh using Open Street Map (OSM): www.openstreetmap.org/. OSM, which was created in the UK in 2004, aims to create and offer free on-line geodata and maps. The idea behind the project is to democratise and gain control of the mapping process, as well as to provide an opportunity for people to regain contact with their communities.
Currently, OSM has a community of more than 32,000 mappers around the world.
The widespread use of OSM could be advantageous in a country like Bangladesh. First of all maps created with OSM are free and printable. Secondly, OSM maps are copyright-free. Using the same model as other 'wiki' websites, users are encouraged to edit and add data to the map, and also copy and distribute it to others. As a result, one can view a beautifully rendered map that is draggable and zoomable.
No others maps found in Bangladesh offer these things. Although one can retrieve maps from the Banglapedia website, one cannot edit them or upload them into a GPS for navigational purposes. As the number of OSM users increases, the accuracy of these maps will also increase.
Wikitravel (a Webby award winning travel guide) started using OSM maps for its Paris guide, not only because of the open content licence, but also because it is constantly updated by the local community.
Currently, there is only a handful of OSM-mappers in Bangladesh. The North-East part of Dhaka is well mapped and is an example of what can be produced for other parts of the city and the country. Continued mapping could be useful for amenities such as restaurants, schools, universities, public buildings, head offices etc. as they can either use the map for their flyers, brochures and website, or use it as a marketing instrument to advertise themselves.