> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.mapbox.com/mapbox-gl-js/llms.txt) # Initialize a map using a bounding box The [`bounds`option](https://docs.mapbox.com/mapbox-gl-js/api/map/#map-parameters) is an alternative way to set the initial camera view of a [`Map`](https://docs.mapbox.com/mapbox-gl-js/api/map/) by specifying a [`bounding box`](https://docs.mapbox.com/help/glossary/bounding-box/) around the area you want to map to showcase, as opposed to specifying the `zoom` and `center` of the map. Note that when `bounds` is specified, the `center` and `zoom` constructor options will be overridden. The `bounds` option expects two sets of coordinates, the **southwest corner** and **northeast corner** of the bounding box. Mapbox GL JS will calculate the initial camera view to make sure the full extend of the bounding box is fully visible regardless of the map's size or aspect ratio. In this example we use the bounding box of the five boroughs of New York City to initialize the map, ensuring that the entirety of the city is in view and optimally positioned when the map loads. By default, a `bounding box` does not have a visual component, so for this example, a geojson polygon representing the `bounds` is added as a visual reference. The [`fitBoundsOptions.padding`](https://docs.mapbox.com/mapbox-gl-js/api/map/#map#fitbounds) option is also specified to pad the specified `bounds` and keep it from touching the edge of the map. Use the buttons to see how the map initialization will honor the `bounds` option with different aspect ratios. You can use [`bbox`](https://turfjs.org/docs/api/bbox) function in [`turf.js`](https://turfjs.org/) to calculate the bounding box for any geojson geometry in the browser, or use the [Mapbox Location Helper](https://labs.mapbox.com/location-helper/) tool to quickly get bounding box coordinates on an interactive map. > **Related content (playground): [Location Helper](https://labs.mapbox.com/location-helper)** > > To experiment with bounding box values for your code, try our *Location Helper*. > Example code: **JavaScript** ```html Initialize a map using a bounding box

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