Leaflet
Nov 5,2025

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Introduction

Leaflet is an open-source, lightweight JavaScript library designed for creating interactive web maps. It boasts high performance and mobile-friendly features. It offers a simple API and modular architecture, supports plugin extensions (such as heatmaps and layer control), and integrates with third-party mapping services such as OpenStreetMap and Mapbox. Its core strengths lie in its small size (approximately 39-42KB), fast loading speed, and compatibility with major browsers and older versions of Internet Explorer. Leaflet is widely used in data visualization, geographic information display, and other scenarios, and is particularly well-suited for projects with high mobile compatibility requirements.

File Structure

The Leaflet file structure primarily consists of the following core components:

Core Library: This includes a compressed (leaflet.js) and uncompressed (leaflet-src.js) JavaScript file, along with a corresponding source map file (.map) for debugging.
Style File: leaflet.css controls the visual style of the map and must be used in conjunction with image resources.
Image Resources: The images folder stores image files such as icons and markers required for the map, and must be placed in the same directory as leaflet.css.
Extension Plugins: These are standalone plugin files for features like heatmaps and point aggregation (pruneCluster), typically organized in a modular fashion.
Documentation and Examples: Some projects include auxiliary directories such as docs (documentation) and examples (sample code).

Pros

Lightweight and Efficient: The core library is only approximately 39KB (compressed), loading quickly and suitable for mobile devices and low-bandwidth environments.
Cross-platform compatibility: Supports all modern browsers (including IE10+) and mobile devices, with low latency for touch interactions.
Rich plugin ecosystem: Over 300 officially certified plugins covering features such as heatmaps, trajectory animations, and path planning, allowing for rapid expansion.
Strong data compatibility: Supports eight geographic data formats, including GeoJSON and KML, with built-in coordinate system conversion tools.
Performance optimization: Dynamic tile loading and vector graphics reuse enable stable rendering frame rates above 55fps for tens of thousands of markers.

Cons

Performance limitations for complex scenes: Relying on SVG/Canvas rendering, lag may occur when processing large amounts of vector data, requiring vector tile optimization.
Lack of functional depth: Compared to OpenLayers or Mapbox GL JS, it lacks advanced GIS analysis capabilities (such as topology analysis).
Mobile interaction limitations: Gesture controls require plugins (such as Leaflet.GestureHandling) for implementation, and native support is weak.
Domestic map adaptation requires plugins: Support for domestic map services such as Amap and Baidu requires third-party plugins (such as Leaflet.ChineseTmsProviders).

Application Scenario

Leaflet is an open-source JavaScript library widely used for interactive map development. It's suitable for website maps (e.g., travel and real estate platforms), mobile apps (e.g., navigation and fitness tracking), data visualization (e.g., sales and environmental data distribution), and map display and analysis in Geographic Information System (GIS) applications. It also supports interactive maps in game development. Its lightweight design and rich plugin ecosystem make it flexible and adaptable to a variety of scenarios.