> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.broadstripes.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Maps overview

When you collect address information about a person in Broadstripes, the data can be used for searches or printed on reports. Those records also provide Broadstripes with all the information it needs to drive its **maps feature** – a powerful visual tool that lets you see each of your project's contacts pinpointed by location on a map.

Broadstripes maps allow you to view groups of people filtered in a range of ways:

* according to search criteria
* within a user-defined boundary (called a "**shape**")
* by simply zooming in on any region of the map
* you can even combine these features – for instance, you can zoom in on a certain voting district that you're targeting for legislative change, then run a search for contacts with supportive assessments to see how many supporters you have there.

Learn more about maps:

* [how maps work](/docs/maps/how-maps-work/) – see your people and learn about getting around the main maps features
* [working with shapes](/docs/maps/working-with-shapes/) – learn how to define and view areas of the map for analysis or to cut turf (including how to [#make edit shapes](/docs/maps/working-with-shapes#make-edit-shapes) and [#make edit shapes](/docs/maps/working-with-shapes#make-edit-shapes))
* [get driving directions for your list](/docs/getting-started/get-driving-directions-for-your-list) – let Broadstripes generate your house visit lists with street maps and simple turn-by-turn instructions