Using Java and any external libraries, how can I draw latitude/longitude points onto a graphical representation of the Earth?

Question

I'm currently using the Java Map Projection Library (I was able to obtain the code used for the Applet from the author and modify it for use in a desktop application - not sure if he linked to that on his website yet) to draw a map of the Earth in an application. However, I want to take this a step further. I have a set of latitude/longitude points that I want to plot on this map - I just need to draw a circle at each point and perhaps some lines connecting the circles (points) on the map. However, as the user uses the built-in panning and zooming capabilities, the points need to be redrawn in the proper position. The best I have been able to achieve is maintaining the points when zooming, and even then the points get larger as you zoom in.

I'm totally open to switching libraries, however I really haven't found a library that can take care of drawing a world map, particularly onto a Swing component (it doesn't need to be that accurate, just show the various landmasses somewhat correctly) and also plotting additional points on top of that map and having them "stick" to various latitude/longitude coordinates.

I have looked at Google Earth and NASA WorldWind, however they are awfully heavy for my purposes (I don't need anything that detailed or accurate) and it doesn't seem that easy to allow for offline use and integrate the world image view into an existing application.

Suggestions or thoughts?

Answer 1

You might take a look at other components of the www.osgeo.org Java stack. One of them is geotools: http://geotools.codehaus.org/

they is also development going on to create a GUI: http://geotools.codehaus.org/GUI+Architecture