+| Parameter | Value | Default |
+|-----------| ----- | ------- |
+| layer | comma-separated list of: `address`, `poi`, `railway`, `natural`, `manmade` | _unset_ (no restriction) |
+
+**`[Python-only]`**
+
+The layer filter allows to select places by themes.
+
+The `address` layer contains all places that make up an address:
+address points with house numbers, streets, inhabited places (suburbs, villages,
+cities, states etc.) and administrative boundaries.
+
+The `poi` layer selects all point of interest. This includes classic points
+of interest like restaurants, shops, hotels but also less obvious features
+like recycling bins, guideposts or benches.
+
+The `railway` layer includes railway infrastructure like tracks.
+Note that in Nominatim's standard configuration, only very few railway
+features are imported into the database.
+
+The `natural` layer collects feautures like rivers, lakes and mountains while
+the `manmade` layer functions as a catch-all for features not covered by the
+other layers.
+
+