Which standard is frequently supported by many mapping applications?

The OGC standard web services are widely supported by many mapping applications because they provide a framework for interoperability among different systems. The Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) defines several standards, including Web Map Service (WMS) and Web Feature Service (WFS), which enable the sharing and integration of geospatial data over the internet. These standards facilitate the retrieval and display of maps and geographic features in a consistent manner, allowing diverse applications to communicate effortlessly.

Mapping applications commonly rely on these OGC standards because they address the need for standardized communication protocols in the GIS community, thus making it easier for developers to create applications that can work with various types of geospatial data. Supporting these standards ensures that users can access and visualize geospatial data from multiple sources without compatibility issues, which is critical for effective decision-making and analysis in various fields.

In contrast, other options such as the XYZ Mapping Protocol or GIS Metadata Standards, while relevant in certain contexts, do not have the same level of widespread adoption across mapping applications. Similarly, North American Datum Standards are fundamental for geospatial accuracy but are more concerned with reference frames than with the web services that are essential for modern mapping applications.