What is one of the primary uses of map caches in GIS?

Map caches are primarily used to enhance user experience by significantly speeding up loading times for map services. When users request a map, the system retrieves pre-rendered images from the cache rather than needing to draw the map on-the-fly each time. This pre-rendering allows for quicker access to data, resulting in a smoother and more responsive interaction with the GIS application.

Caches store frequently accessed map layers and views, so when a user pans or zooms, the system can quickly deliver the cached images, effectively reducing the load on servers and the amount of data that needs to be processed in real-time. This optimization is particularly beneficial for applications that require rapid updates or where multiple users are accessing the same data simultaneously.

While there may be other uses of map caches related to data management and security, their primary and most impactful function lies in improving the performance of GIS applications by minimizing loading times.