Importing the OpenStreetMap files

OpenStreetMap is a powerhouse of data when it comes to geospatial data. It is a collaborative project to create a free, editable map of the world. OpenStreetMap provides geospatial data in the .osm file format. To read more about .osm files in general, check out http://wiki.openstreetmap.org/wiki/.osm.

In this recipe, you will learn how to import the .osm files into the Neo4j graph database.

Getting ready

Perform the following steps to get started with this recipe:

1. Install Neo4j using the recipes from Chapter 1, Getting Started with Neo4j. This installation process will depend on your preference for your machine OS type.

2. Install the Neo4j Spatial plugin using the Installing the Neo4j Spatial extension, recipe from this chapter.

3. Restart the Neo4j graph database server:

   $NEO4J_ROOT_DIR/bin/neo4j restart
   

How to do it...

Since the OSM file format is, by default, supported by the Neo4j Spatial extension, it is very easy to import data from it using the following steps...