But, since this is a worldwide, inclusive map, there can be many different feature types in OpenStreetMap, almost all of them described by tags. Most features can be described using only a small number of tags, such as a path with a classification tag such as highway= footway, and perhaps also a name using name=*. Short descriptions of tags that relate to particular topics or interests can be found using the feature pages. However, users can create new tags to improve the style of the map or to support analyses that rely on previously unmapped attributes of the features. The community agrees on certain key and value combinations for the most commonly used tags, which act as informal standards. OpenStreetMap's free tagging system allows the map to include an unlimited number of attributes describing each feature.

Each tag describes a geographic attribute of the feature being shown by that specific node, way or relation. OpenStreetMap represents physical features on the ground (e.g., roads or buildings) using tags attached to its basic data structures (its nodes, ways, and relations).

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