What are Google Maps? This is a service that consists of several applications provided for free, and includes the mapping site Google Maps and a route planning program (Google Transit). Maps from Google offer a satellite view of many cities on the planet and include a detailed layout of streets, houses, routes for traveling by public transport or car, a guide to various objects, etc.
Features of work
Google Maps is displayed in two variations:
- an ordinary traditional map (analogous to Mercator maps)
- and satellite images (not online, but taken a certain time ago).
The scale of the maps is also based on the Mercator projection, that is, it is constant and changes from the poles to the equator downwards.
Another separate project of the corporation is closely related to Google Maps - Google Planet, which corresponds to a globe on which the regions of the Earth's poles are clearly visible.
What locations are satellite imagery available for? Not for everyone, but only for large cities in Russia, England, America, Canada and others.
Not all governments approved such placement and use of images. That is why many objects on maps are shaded. Such “classified” objects include, for example, the White House or the Capitol.
Different places on satellite images are shown in different resolutions - the less populated the area, the less detailed it is. Also, some places in the pictures may be hidden due to cloud shadows.
Google Maps online
- switch to satellite mode- lower left corner;
- zoom in/out- lower right corner.
As soon as the company introduced the new service, a wave of interest in satellite images swept across the world.
The creation of websites began on which satellite images of interesting places, unusual architectural landmarks, stadiums, and man-made formations began to be freely available.
Since 2008, the US Weather Service began using Google Maps to prepare its forecasts.
It should be noted that not all images were taken from a satellite - most of the images were obtained through aerial photography from a height of 300 meters.
Google Maps online maps make fairly extensive use of JavaScript. As the user moves around the map by dragging it, new areas are downloaded from the server and displayed on the page.
If the user is looking for specific objects, the search result is inserted into the sidebar, and the page itself does not require a reload. The location on the map is displayed dynamically via a red marker icon.
- In 2006 The first version for mobile phones appeared in 2007, and the second version appeared in 2007. A service similar to GPS is used to determine the location of the phone.
- In 2008 year Google Maps could be used for Android, Windows Mobile, Symbian, BlackBerry, Java (from 2+), IOS (Apple), Palm OS (Centro+).
- In 2011 In 2018, the corporation announced that it provides mapping services to more than 150 million customers.
To allow owners of third-party sites to use Maps, Google announced in 2005 a free Maps API (Application Programming Interface) service.
The map can be placed on any website using this technology for software interaction. Today there are more than 350 thousand such sites around the world.
The Google Satellite interactive map is a free service from the well-known Google corporation.
The service provides access to verified cartographic information from almost any region of the planet, including the location and purpose of objects.
In this case, the display occurs in several modes and without advertisements and other unnecessary data.
Google created the service using satellite views and collected photographs of the Earth's surface.
The result is a service like Google Earth - without some features, but working online.
Working with the map
When working with Google Maps, there are several options for presenting information:
- In the usual form, reminiscent of an automobile atlas, with the names of settlements, streets and other objects;
- A satellite map shown not in real time, but in the form of photos from space taken some time ago (images are constantly updated). In this case, street names, house numbers and other information from the map are superimposed on top of the images.
Switching modes is done using the icon in the lower left corner of the map.
Previously, there were three modes, including a regular satellite photo without captions, but the service abandoned the last option, combining it with a regular map.
Although names can still be disabled by selecting “Hide names” in the service menu.
The scale of the maps is based on the Mercator projection and remains constant. This means that as you approach the equator, the distances between the meridians increase.
Linking to the Google Maps globe is carried out using a similar service - Google Earth.
Detailed maps exist only for large populated areas.
For suburban areas and, especially, uninhabited areas, there are practically no clear photographs, and the resolution of the photographs is lower. Sometimes the area is hidden by clouds or their shadows.
Interface Features
The service works using search queries. The entered keyword is compared with the markers on the map, and if a match is found, an image of the found location is displayed on the screen.
At the same time, in addition to the map, the weather forecast is shown, and the opportunity to view photos and panoramic images of the surrounding area (if available) is provided.
The picture switches to atlas mode in the same way.
A route planning service can also be useful, thanks to which you can find out:
- What routes can you take to get to the specified place?
- Distance from one point to another;
- Travel time by personal and public transport;
- Numbers of buses or metro stations that can be used to travel the required distance.
Using the navigation panel, you can adjust the high quality and accuracy of the image. And right while using any other function of the service.
If necessary, the image can be shown in a different projection - side view. And the routes are chosen using not only vehicles, but also bicycles.
Information about moving from one point to another on foot is also available.
Possibilities
Among the additional features of the service is the ability to view the chronology of your movements - unless, of course, the application is built into the desktop browser, but is installed on a mobile gadget or laptop.
In this case, Google maps will allow you to view all visits since the installation of the program.
In addition, for a mobile gadget, the Google Maps service provides the opportunity to download offline maps of Russia or another country.
Thus, even if you find yourself without a connection, but with a smartphone or tablet, you can use map data, although without reference to the area.
All this is available for both iOS and Android devices.
If you still have the Internet, you can see online not only routes and objects, but also see, for example, where the nearest gas station is and even the price of fuel.
A traffic jam search function is available for populated areas. It even provides details such as traffic density and possible detour routes.
Advice! The option will be useful for traveling to and from work, and when planning an out-of-town trip.
Features of the service
Google maps don't have all the information. Some countries have not allowed satellite images to be taken and stored in some areas where sensitive facilities are located.
Such territories are indicated by shading. And these include, for example, military bases, the Capitol and the White House.
Some of the images were taken not from space, but from a height of 300 m. Therefore, in some points the world map may be more detailed than elsewhere.
The same applies to panoramic images - on some streets covered by the area survey program they are available, on others you can only see a satellite image and a map.
- Yandex news, translator, money, cards - complete stuffing
Service development
The Google service, which displays land and other objects online, began operating in 2005.
Although at first there were no satellite maps, by 2006 the service not only spread throughout the planet, but also became available as an application for smartphones.
The following year, an improved version of Google Maps was released with location reference using a GPS module.
And after some time, the program was offered for mobile devices running on Windows, BlackBerry OS, Android and iOS.
In 2017, the number of service users exceeded 1 billion people.
Google maps. Travel without leaving home
In this video you will see how to use google maps.
Two Google Maps - diagram and satellite
Hello, dear friends of the portal site!
Two Google Maps (Scheme and Satellite), which can be used to compare any object in any city (street, house) and country in the world. Visibility of a geographical object on the map and view from space (Google satellite map), street panorama (drag the orange man onto the diagram)
Just type the required address in the Google Maps search form. This could be the name of a country, city, street. For a more accurate search, we recommend combining your Google query
Example: Moscow Tverskaya 11, or another address in Moscow (as in any city in the world)
In this case, the Google Maps 2019 database will correctly match the coordinates with the address you typed. Believe me, it will do no worse than +showing interesting and popular places in the world. This sufficiently guarantees the output of the exact location of the search object
By default, two maps show the sunny city of Los Angeles (satellite view and regular one). By changing the suggested scale +/-, you can take a closer look at each street with houses (Los Angeles)
The City of Angels is the second most populous city in the United States. Disneyland (Anaheim) and the Hollywood sign are also located there. By zooming out on the satellite map from the satellite (-), you will witness an interesting metamorphosis. All that's left is to try. Street photos (satellite images) and panoramic views are also available on both maps
By the way, you can find Disneyland itself at these coordinates. Copy Ctrl+C and paste into the search form Ctrl+V
33.810781,-117.918978
Similar interesting things await here when you zoom out (-). By zooming the diagram to the maximum, you can also use the Google Maps “Arrow Spin” tool (appears above the zoom tool).
Also in Los Angeles is the Google office at Los Angeles 340 Main Street (type that to search). One of 70 offices in 40 countries around the world
In some cases, you need to compare two different objects in the same view. Let's say you look at the desired street on a map of the city of Moscow from a satellite - or pictures of roads and squares. First, we find the capital of Russia on the map. Previously, they were able to determine the latitude and longitude of any city in the world. Then switch the map from above to the “Satellite” view (lower left corner). The map in Russian below will remain as is. This is how it looks like to compare two Google Maps:
⬇ List: popular and interesting places on Google Maps (new ones are being added):
- Zaryadye Park, Moscow 55.751085, 37.628765
- Belarus, Brest Fortress 52.082599, 23.655529
- Berlin, Reichstag 52.518712, 13.376100
- Himalayas, Everest 27.989302, 86.925040
- Baikonur Cosmodrome 45.996389, 63.563907
- Mexico, Aztec city 19.692850, -98.843856
- Monte Carlo, embankment 43.734819, 7.421430
- Rio de Janeiro, Jesus Christ statue -22.952264, -43.210662
- Statue “Motherland”, Kyiv 50.426760, 30.563044
- Statue “Motherland”, Mamayev Kurgan, Volgograd 48.742342, 44.537109
- Petronas Towers Malaysia 3.157933, 101.711846
- London "Big Ben" 51.501021, -0.124660
- France, Channel Tunnel 50.922493, 1.781868
- Australia, Sydney, Opera House -33.856716, 151.215294
- UAE Dubai, artificial islands 25.114663, 55.139036
Thank you to Google Maps for the data you provided.
Cartographic data of cities in Russia, Ukraine and the world
While driving in a car, your hands are usually busy. Therefore, the voice control feature will come in handy. Just say the passphrase “Ok Google” in navigation mode, and then clearly say your request. The voice assistant can tell you your current location, remaining travel time, traffic jams and other useful information. In addition, with its help you can, without taking your hands off the steering wheel, dial the desired number, send a text message or even turn on music.
It is often difficult to find the place where you left your . Especially if it happens in a parking lot crowded with thousands of cars or in an unfamiliar city.
To mark a parking spot on the map, simply click on the blue dot of your current location. A blue screen will appear with several options, from which you need to select “Save parking location.”
3. Location display
4. Search on the route
If you are driving along an unfamiliar route and suddenly decide to grab a bite to eat or refuel, then Google Maps can show you the necessary establishments near your current location. To do this, simply tap on the search bar and enter a query in the form of “gas station along the way” or “Cafe near me,” for example. You can also use voice search if you are driving.
5. Street View
Street View is one of the coolest features of Google Maps and always comes to the rescue if you are not sure that you are really in the right place. To switch to this mode, you need to select any point on the map, and then tap on the photo that appears in the lower left corner. After this, you will see 360-degree panoramas of the selected location and will even be able to “walk” around the surrounding area.
6. Time machine
Google continually updates map data to ensure the information is accurate. However, the old data does not disappear anywhere. You can view them at any time in the desktop version of Google Maps, turning this service into a kind of time machine.
First of all, you will need to go into Street View mode by dragging the little yellow man to the location of interest on the map. After that, click on the small watch face icon in the upper left corner. A pop-up window will open with a timeline, moving along which you can see what this place looked like in the past.
It is more convenient to prepare for or travel on the large screen of a desktop computer. However, on the road we have to be content with only mobile devices.
The Google Maps web application has a special function for this case that allows you to send the necessary information to your mobile phone in one click. You only need the corresponding device to be registered with your Google account.
8. Estimation of arrival time
When planning a route, sometimes you need to know the exact time of arrival. However, calculating it is not so easy, because the duration of the trip depends not only on the distance, but also on many other factors. For example, on transport schedules and traffic intensity at different times of the day.
Google Maps can take all these factors into account. To accurately calculate the time of arrival at the desired location, simply click on the “Departure Now” item and indicate the desired departure or arrival time. or distance to work, use the Google Maps mobile application. Just select the start button, go to its properties and select “Measure distance”. After this, you can build a route of any complexity on the map, and its length will be shown below.
10. Additional points
Very often it is necessary not only to move from point A to point B, but also to go along the road to points C, D and E. The Google Maps service can build complex routes with several intermediate points. In the web interface, to do this, click on the button with a plus sign and add the necessary points. In the mobile client, you need to select “Add a stop” in the start and end point selection menu.
Google Maps is a set of applications built on the basis of a free mapping service and technologies provided by Google.
World map from Google
(The map can be enlarged to see the names of countries and cities, roads, rivers, lakes, mountains, nature reserves and other natural objects, and the map can also be moved with the mouse in different directions)
Service Google Maps is an interactive world map that provides personalized maps and information about local businesses, including business locations, contact information, driving directions, and more. An app is also associated with the service Google Earth - Google planet earthI. Google Earth Maps also provides the ability to explore maps of any corner of the world.
To move around the map, zoom in and out of the map, change the image angle, use the navigation in the form of arrows and + and – signs at the top of the map. Also try to control the map by holding the right mouse button.
Enter the name of the city:
This is a separate program for Microsoft Windows, as well as GNU/Linux, Mac OS. So does Google Maps.
Program Google Earth allows you to view images of the earth's surface, zoom in and out, and build travel routes. Also, to view Google Maps, use one of the following methods:
- View a web page with an embedded Google map.
- View Google Maps on your mobile device.
- View a personal map created with Google Earth
Google Street View
For example, in the window below you can make virtual walk around the city of Moscow using Google Street View. Use the navigation arrows in the upper left corner of the image. You can change the viewing angle using the arrows on the keyboard. To move around the image, you can click in the image area. Arrows on city streets show routes. You can change your position on the city map by dragging the yellow man in the lower right corner of the image with your mouse:
Google Street View allows users Google Maps travel through a three-dimensional projection of the city or some of its streets without leaving your home. This functionality is achieved using circular photography of real terrain using special equipment in real time. As a result, a 3D photograph is created, which is a photographically accurate model of the city. And if you want to walk around such megacities as New York, Paris, London, Madrid, Rome, Barcelona and Prague without leaving your home, then be sure to check out our articles.
