The official blog for Google Maps
Explore the haunted corners of the world... if you dare
October 29, 2014
Something wicked this way comes
… Whether you’re a trio of
witches back from the dead
or just a trick-or-treater, chances are you’re hitting the streets (or riding a broom!) on Halloween night. For those looking for an extra fright, take a tour of spooky places from around the world on Google Maps.
Start in 19th century Paris. While cheery guests listen to the beautiful arias at the Opéra Garnier, a dreary lake lies beneath the streets. Floating above the silent water, a
phantom
lurks. Are your eyes playing tricks on you... or is that a cloaked figure looming in the shadows?
Opéra Garnier (Paris Opera), Paris, France
Standing at the steps of
Craigdarroch Castle
in Victoria, BC, you might believe you’ve found the perfect home away from home. Think again… listen closely for the sounds of a piano playing softly throughout the house. The spirit of a ghastly pianist is said to linger in the corridors and windows.
Craigdarroch Castle, Victoria, BC
If you’re feeling ill, the abandoned
Xinglin hospital
in Taiwan is
not
the place to go. For years, passersby have sighted now-deceased patients, both young and old, in the treacherous fourth- and fifth-floor windows. To this day, people claim to hear wailing in the night from inside the hospital’s haunted walls.
Xinglin hospital, Tainan, Taiwan
Not all spooky stories are made up. For three decades, the
Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary
was home to some 1,500 of the world’s most infamous prisoners. Surrounded by bone-chilling waters, “the Rock” was notorious as the toughest prison in America.
Alcatraz Island, California, USA
If these spooky spots whet your appetite for fear, get up close with some of the most frightful locations in Google Maps Gallery and find ghouls and goblins in
haunted houses
around the world. If you’re looking for a laugh instead of a scream, take a
hayride
through your local corn maze, find the perfect jack-o-lantern at your neighboring
pumpkin patch
, and scout the best
trick-or-treat
routes near you.
Now get your cauldrons bubbling and monsters mashing because after all,
this is Halloween
!
Posted by Susan Cadrecha, Google Maps Zombie Bride
Explore the world through Google Earth for Android with fast, accurate maps
October 22, 2014
Whether you’re sailing down the Mississippi River or trekking through the Swiss Alps, Google Earth can inspire your next adventure. To help power your digital travels,
Google Earth for Android
is getting an update over the next week—with an enhanced 3D experience, quicker updates to the map, and an easier way to view your KML files in Earth.
Starting today, you’ll see faster, smoother, and crisper transitions as you’re zooming into your dream destination in Google Earth. Thanks to a new 3D rendering technology—the first major 3D overhaul since Earth launched more than 10 years ago—sharper views of mountains and cities are just a virtual skydive away.
Built from scratch, our new 3D technology gives you sharper views in Google Earth for Android
As you’re flying around Paris or looking for things to do in Tokyo, you can rest assured knowing that the globe in your pocket will show you the freshest information, with Google Earth now getting the same updates as Google Maps. Roads and labels have gotten a visual refresh as well, making Earth’s styling easier on the eyes for you virtual explorers.
BEFORE:
AFTER:
Roads and labels get a refresh in the newest version of Earth
And if you’ve created your own map for Google Earth—whether you’re a teacher preparing a history lesson, a researcher tracking changes in the environment, or just a geospatial enthusiast—you’ll now be able to open your KML files from Google Drive directly in the Earth app, so you can view it on the go.
Save a few clicks when viewing your KML files on the go
To discover the world with these updates in hand, head to the Play Store and download
Google Earth for Android
. Stay tuned for more 3D updates in the coming months!
Posted by Ashwin Limaye, Product Manager, Google Earth
Explore Gombe National Park through the eyes of Dr. Jane Goodall
October 21, 2014
In July 1960,
Dr. Jane Goodall
stepped off the boat in what is now
Gombe National Park, Tanzania
with a pair of second-hand binoculars and a notepad. She was 26 years old, and was there to observe and record the behavior of chimpanzees in the wild. This summer, after four planes and a boat ride, I took my first (wobbly) steps onto the shores of Lake Tanganyika. I was about to walk the same paths that Dr. Goodall took to do her groundbreaking research into the lives of chimpanzees. And now—thanks to a Google Maps partnership with the
Jane Goodall Institute
and
Tanzania National Parks
—so can you.
We were invited to Gombe National Park to capture a record of this historic place, where today the Jane Goodall Institute manages the longest-running chimpanzee research study in the world. It was here that Dr. Goodall first witnessed chimpanzees
fishing for termites
using a blade of grass as a tool to dig them out of their mounds. Using tools was an act previously believed to be unique to humans. Her observations revolutionized our understanding of chimpanzees—animals that share 98 percent of our DNA—and redefined the very notion of “human.” More than 50 years later, protecting chimpanzees and their habitat is central to the mission of the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI).
View of Lake Tanganyika at The Peak, Gombe National Park, Tanzania
Pushing through the brush, carrying the Street View
Trekker
, we collected thousands of 360 degree images along the narrow paths of the park to share with the world. We first stopped at a location Jane calls “The Peak”—her favorite vantage point. I could imagine her looking out over the canopies, peering tirelessly through her binoculars, writing in her notebook, and observing these beautiful animals as they
swung through the trees
.
A chimpanzee named Gizmo in Gombe National Park
In the spirit of preservation, the Institute plans to use Gombe Street View as a unique archive of this special place, available to future generations of researchers. This imagery complements JGI’s current monitoring efforts using
satellite imagery and mapping
to protect 85 percent of the remaining chimpanzees in Africa. Young people will also be inspired to explore the wild through the 360 degree imagery as part of JGI’s educational program,
Jane Goodall's Roots and Shoots
.
This Street View collection
is our small contribution to the already rich legacy of science and discovery at Gombe. Wherever you are, take a moment to experience what it’s like to be Jane for a day: peek into
her house
, take a dip in
Lake Tanganyika
, spot the
chimp named Google
and try to keep up with
Glitter and Gossamer
.
We hope you enjoy exploring this living laboratory for yourself!
Posted by Allie Lieber, Program Manager, Google Earth Outreach
Special thank you to Dr. Jane Goodall,
Dr. Lilian Pintea
,
Bill Wallauer
,
Dr. Anthony Collins
and many more members of the Jane Goodall Institute in the United States and Tanzania, as well as
TANAPA
, for all of the knowledge and time they contributed to this project.
Roam the Arabian desert with Street View
October 7, 2014
Imagine sitting atop a camel looking across a vast expanse of desert dunes. A glimmer of green flashes in the distance. It could be a mirage or a bountiful oasis just awaiting your discovery. Now with Google Maps, you can see for yourself and journey across the sands of the
Liwa Desert
, one of the most breathtaking landscapes in the world.
On your virtual trip through the desert, you’ll find sand dunes that reach an astounding height of 25-40 meters. These rolling
sandy hills
were home to early settlers back in the
Late Stone Age
, making Liwa one of the oldest sites in the United Arab Emirates.
Liwa Desert, UAE
Some of the richest history in this desert lies in the
Liwa Oasis
—the largest oasis in the Arabian peninsula. Many people across the UAE can trace their origins to the first tribes that settled there and established the region as a trade center. The oasis is also home to date farms, whose trees and fruit are important cultural symbols—the trunks of the palms were used to weave the walls of Bedouin tents, baskets and more, while the fruit was a treasured treat for the locals. Now, the oasis is a sought out location for tourists around the world and those who live in the area.
Liwa Oasis, UAE
To bring this stunning desert to Street View, we fashioned the
Trekker
to rest on a camel, which gathered imagery as it walked. Using camels for the collection allowed us to collect authentic imagery and minimize our disruption of this fragile environment.
Street View Trekker mounted on a camel
We hope this collection gives you a glimpse of what it may be like to travel the desert as caravan merchants have for the past 3000 years. Should you make the journey here in person, who knows—you may meet some
new friends
. To see more, visit our
Street View gallery
.
Posted by Najeeb Jarrar, Product Marketing Manager, Middle East and North Africa
Make your own way with the new My Maps
September 16, 2014
As temperatures cool down, you might be searching for your next warm vacation spot. Starting today, you can get a little inspiration by going to
Google Maps Gallery
and browsing publicly shared custom maps of all types. Just look up sunny “
Los Angeles
” to find the best
hiking trails
,
street art
,
breweries
and more to do in La-La Land. And, for those of you who are actually looking forward to the winter, see what
ski
options others have recommended, with the maps they created of their favorite
slopes
and
resorts
.
An insider’s
take
on the best views and paths of Cahuenga Peak, Los Angeles—including a walk to the Hollywood sign!
Once you’re done daydreaming, plan out your own trip with the new
My Maps
(previously Google Maps Engine Lite), adding images, descriptions, custom icons, and place details along the way. Make sure to download the
My Maps Android app
so you can also view your map or make a change on the go, or check out others’ maps while you’re on your way. Did you plot out the perfect vacation? Share it publicly so others can get inspired, too—or if you prefer, keep your secret spots safe by setting your map to private or by sharing with a lucky few.
With these tools for exploration in hand, you can find and create maps for anything you’re interested in—like a collection of Sherlock Holmes’
famous haunts
, or
global tributes
to Nelson Mandela. The possibilities are pretty much endless—students have photographed and mapped a city’s public art installments, authors have laid out their stories’ locations on the map, and activists have plotted out shelters and distribution centers during emergency situations.
Find
Nelson Mandela
tributes, speeches and more in Maps Gallery
If you’ve already been creating custom maps with
classic My Maps
, today you can upgrade all your content to the new
My Maps
, and enjoy these new options. You can import spreadsheets, easily include images and YouTube videos, and organize your locations and routes however you want.
By the end of this year, all maps created in classic Google Maps will automatically upgrade to the new My Maps, but to get started right away, open up the new
My Maps
and “Upgrade now,” then check out the tour—found in the settings menu—for tips on creating your own custom content.
Where will your map take you?
Posted by Heather Folsom, Product Manager, My Maps
Take your dream trip to Mexico with Google Maps
September 15, 2014
The famed author
Gabriel García Márquez
once said: "In Mexico, surrealism runs through the streets. Surrealism comes from the reality of Latin America.” So today, we invite you to embark on a dreamlike journey of more than 60 new sites that take you through
Mexico’s culture and geography
with Street View. These are places where ancient civilizations merge with modern-day structures and lush jungles, and where remote deserts and beaches stretch neverending towards the horizon.
No, your eyes aren’t playing tricks on you; the magic is real in places like
Holbox
, where big resorts and tourist traps seem to be a world away. You can leave your worries behind and
make new friends
while snorkeling the clear, blue waters.
Holbox, Quintana Roo
Mexico has a rich heritage of religion and tradition. Explore the country’s sacred sites, like the
Catedral de Merida
, one of the oldest cathedrals in North America, and the remains of the
Museo Ex Convento de Tepoztlán
, which was first built for the Dominican friars in 1555.
Museo Ex Convento de Tepoztlán
As we approach the end of our virtual tour, it’s a good time to take a look at the iconic monumental clock in
Pachuca, Hidalgo
. Close to Mexico City, this former mining town witnessed the country’s history from the pre-Hispanic empire to today’s modern republic.
Reloj Monumental, Pachuca, Hidalgo
This
imagery
from across Mexico is the latest of our
Street View Collections
, in which we capture the world’s natural, cultural and historic legacy for you to explore. Now pack your virtual
sandalias
, grab your digital sunglasses, and discover Mexico’s history with Street View on Google Maps!
Posted by
Ricardo Blanco
, Products Communications for Google in Latin America
Walk like an Egyptian with Street View in Google Maps
September 10, 2014
Candlelight flickering on a stone wall covered in hieroglyphs. A proud queen brought low by the bite of a snake. Reeds rustling along a river, waiting to be turned into papyrus, or maybe a basket. The civilization of ancient Egypt stood for thousands of years and left behind a rich legacy of architecture, art, medicine, politics, culture and more. Today, it looms large in our imagination as the home of Cleopatra, Ptolemy, Tutankhamun, people who worshipped cats as gods and buried their embalmed dead in tombs filled with treasures and sustenance for the afterlife.
Now the Egypt of your imagination can be brought to life with new Street View imagery in Google Maps, and you can take a virtual walk among the stunning monuments and rich history of this ancient civilization.
Start where most tourists do: at the
Pyramids of Giza
, which rise from the vast expanse of the Sahara like man-made mountains. Just kilometers from the bustling, modern city of Cairo, the Pyramids have stood for nearly 5,000 years, a testament to the ingenuity and ambition of the ancient Egyptian people.
The Giza Necropolis is one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world, and is home to the last standing wonder of the ancient world: the
Great Pyramid
. Built as a tomb and a symbol of eternity for the Pharoah Khufu, it stands 139 meters high (the height of the world’s
highest roller coaster
!) and was the tallest man-made structure on Earth for 3,800 years. Look beyond it to the west, and you’ll see the pyramids of
Khafre
and
Menkaure
, built by Khufu's son and grandson.
The Great Pyramid
Now turn east to
the Great Sphinx
, the oldest and largest known monumental sculpture in the world. With the body of a lion and the head of a human, it measures a grand 73 meters long and 20 meters high. Literally translating to “Father of Dread,” this mythical creature is believed to resemble Pharaoh Khafre, who was the ruler at the time of construction.
The Great Sphinx
In addition to the Giza Necropolis, you can explore
The Pyramid of Djoser
, the ancient site of the world’s very first Pyramid designed by the great
Egyptian Architect Imhotep
in the ancient burial ground of
Saqqara
.
Other sites you can check out on your virtual tour include:
Abu Mena
, one of the oldest sites of Christianity in Egypt—the church, baptistry, basilicas and monasteries;
the Hanging Church
, one of the oldest Coptic Churches in the world; the
Cairo Citadel
, a medieval Islamic fortification and historic site; and the
Citadel of Qaitbay
, a 15th-century defensive fortress on the Mediterranean coast.
If wandering through the imagery of these historical sites has piqued your interest in Egyptology, head over to the
Google Cultural Institute
, where you can explore the treasures of ancient Egypt through a series of drawings, historic photographs and artifacts from the famed sites.
The
Pyramids of Giza
have survived nearly five millennia and are the planet’s oldest man-made wonder. Now their legacy—and the legacy of many other
sites of ancient Egyptian culture
—are preserved in a new way with panoramic and immersive Street View imagery. We hope you’ll take a moment to step back in time and explore what was once known as the Gift of the Nile.
Posted by Tarek Abdalla, Head of Marketing - Middle East and North Africa
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