Is the map zoom level kept between launches?
Yes. The app remembers the zoom you chose yourself — with the “+”/“−” buttons or a pinch — and opens with it next time.
Only your own choice counts: programmatic camera moves and initial positioning do not change the saved zoom. On first install the map opens at city zoom.
The whole range from the world view to maximum zoom is saved the same way — if you deliberately zoomed out to the world, the app will open exactly like that.