What distinguishes a web map from a web app in ArcGIS?

A web map primarily serves to visualize and display geographical data in a structured format, allowing users to see locations, layers, and information associated with various geographic features. It provides an interactive interface to explore this data but is fundamentally a representation of spatial information.

In contrast, a web app expands on the capabilities of a web map by providing a broader range of functionalities that allow users to interact with the geographical data in various ways. This includes performing queries, analyzing data, and engaging with tools that facilitate deeper exploration and decision-making based on the mapped data. Essentially, while a web map is focused on showing data, a web app is designed to enable user interaction with that data, enhancing the utility and analytical capabilities beyond mere visualization.

This distinction highlights the different roles that web maps and web apps play in the GIS environment: web maps primarily focus on data presentation, whereas web apps enhance interactivity and user engagement with the geographical information presented.