Google Maps is a leader among modern mapping services providing satellite interactive maps online. At least a leader in the field of satellite imagery and in the number of various additional services and tools (Google Earth, Google Mars, various weather and transport services, one of the most powerful APIs).
In the field of schematic maps, at some point, this leadership “was lost” in favor of Open Street Maps - a unique mapping service in the spirit of Wikipedia, where every volunteer can contribute data to the site.
However, despite this, the popularity of Google Maps remains perhaps one of the highest of all other mapping services. Part of the reason is that Google Maps is where we can find the most detailed satellite photos for the largest regions of any country. Even in Russia such a large and successful company as Yandex cannot surpass the quality and coverage of satellite photographs, at least in its own country.
With Google Maps, anyone can view satellite photos of the Earth for free almost anywhere in the world.
Image quality
Pictures of himself high resolution usually available for the world's largest cities in America, Europe, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Asia, Oceania. Currently, high-quality images are available for cities with a population of more than 1 million inhabitants. For smaller cities and others settlements Satellite images are only available in limited resolution.
Possibilities
Google Maps or “Google Maps” was a real discovery for Internet users and indeed all PC users, giving an unheard of and previously unseen opportunity to look at their home, their village, cottage, lake or river where they vacationed in the summer - from a satellite. To see it from above, from a perspective from which it would be impossible to see it under any other circumstances. The discovery, the very idea of giving people easy access to satellite photos, fits harmoniously into Google's overall vision of “easily providing everyone with access to any information on the planet.”
Google Maps allows you to see from a satellite simultaneously those things and objects that cannot be observed at the same time when observed from the ground. Satellite maps differ from regular maps in that they simple maps colors and natural forms of natural objects are distorted by editorial processing for further publication. However, satellite photographs preserve all the naturalness of nature and the objects being photographed, natural colors, shapes of lakes, rivers, fields and forests.
Looking at the map, one can only guess what is there: a forest, a field or a swamp, while on satellite photography it is immediately clear: objects, usually round or oval in shape, with a unique swamp color, are swamps. The light green spots or areas in the photograph are fields, and the dark green ones are forests. With enough experience in orientation in Google Maps, you can even distinguish whether it is a coniferous forest or a mixed forest: coniferous has a browner tint. Also on the map you can distinguish specific broken lines piercing the forests and fields of the vast Russian expanses - these are railways. Only by looking from a satellite can you understand that railways are much larger highways influence the natural landscape around them. Also in Google Maps, it is possible to overlay maps with the names of regions, roads, settlements on a national scale and the names of streets, house numbers, metro stations on a city scale on a satellite image of an area or city.
Map mode and satellite view mode
In addition to satellite images, it is possible to switch to the “map” mode, in which it is possible to view any territory on the surface of the Earth and study in detail the layout and location of houses of any more or less large city. In the "map" mode it is especially convenient to plan your movements around the city if you have already seen enough satellite views of your city.
The search function by house number will easily point you to the desired house, giving you the opportunity to “look around” the area around this house and how you can drive up/approach it. For search required object Just type in Russian in the search bar a query like: “City, street, house number” and the site will display you the location of the object you are looking for with a special marker.
How to use Google Maps
To begin, open some place.
To move around the map, left-click on the map and drag it in any order. To return to the original position, press the centering button located between the four direction buttons.
To enlarge the map, click on the button "+" or roll the mouse roller when the cursor is over the map. You can also enlarge the map double click mouse in the location you are interested in.
To switch between satellite, mixed (hybrid) and map views, use the corresponding buttons in the upper right corner of the map: Map / Satellite / Hybrid.
I have long wanted to write this post and tell you about Google maps. Surely you will say: “What’s special about them? Regular cards, with the ability to plot routes, use with GPS, information about the metro, city and street maps, etc.” All this has long become a familiar tool for us, but not everyone knows that Google Maps has an amazing opportunity that it’s simply a shame not to know about. This feature sets GoogleMaps apart from its other competitors and gives it a big lead. Intrigued? Then I begin the detailed story...
So meet...Google maps in 3D. Yes, yes... this means that now you will be able to see three-dimensional buildings, streets, roads, transport, etc. It’s worth noting that this feature has been around for a very, very long time. In Russia it is almost never used, since 3D maps are still available only for foreign countries and not for everyone. But as a short sightseeing tour of another country, they are absolutely brilliant.
If the speed of your Internet connection is below 512 Kbps, then using the service will be problematic.....of course, if you can wait for a long, long time...In general, you need a more or less high-speed connection =) Just in case, update the version of Adobe Flash Player http http://www.adobe.com/ru/products/flash/
Where to begin?
To begin with, of course, let's go to the website http://maps.google.ru
It must be said that the 3D maps function is very, very deeply hidden in the functionality of the maps. Finding them is not easy. For a long time I didn’t understand what to press and where to look.
So, enter the following into the search bar: 3D New York. A similar picture will appear
Next, to enter 3D mode, for example, click on the letter I. This is not important. Subsequently, you will be able to manage your location using the map. The main thing is to go into 3D mode. So, click I and then on “Street View”. By the way, if you see the phrase “Street View” anywhere else on Google maps, then you can view it in 3D mode
And so. The 3D mode is launched and you see a three-dimensional picture.
In the lower right corner there is a “man” and a map. By moving the little man around the map, you can control your location. Attention, you cannot place it outside the blue area, since the 3D viewing area only includes the marked blue area on the map. Click on the corner of the mini-map. It will expand halfway across the screen. This makes it much more convenient to control the situation
If any place is unavailable in 3D viewing mode, then pictures corresponding to it will be displayed in its place
To go to full screen mode viewing (this is very, very convenient and the best way to use it) you need to click on the rectangle on the right at the top of the main map.
You can fully move around the city. Zoom in/out, read various signs, look at photographs, look at diagrams and symbols. What I really liked was that there was transport and people on the street. Even though it doesn't move, it still looks amazing. Very realistic picture, high resolution. Everything is very clear and distinguishable. You can also read various small text on signs and billboards.
Here is a map of the famous Time Square in New York.
The only thing I would like is a day/night switch. But this is nitpicking. Few people will need to look for any street in the middle of the night.
And now let's move from New York to Paris. Specifically to France. Google has also provided a 3D viewing mode for it. Let's enter: 3D Paris
Click on any street. Our goal is to find the coveted “Street View” inscription. So we found it. This is what it looks like for me
I think it's interesting. You can see everything here. Let's try to find the famous Eiffel Tower.
Here she is. Located on Ave. Gustave Efel. Let's try to watch it full screen. So it's much more interesting
The next stop will be in Japan. Enter the following: Japan 3d tokio. Let's select some place and expand it to full screen mode.
As you can see, the quality of the picture is so high that you would think that this photo was actually taken in Japan.
Did you like it?
I think this little walk around the world was interesting for you. Never before have I been so engrossed in looking at maps. But it’s true, you can spend hours looking at all this beauty. It’s so interesting to see another city, almost in person, to walk along its streets, to see the architecture and nature. Too bad you can't watch it in 3D Russian cities. For example, Moscow, St. Petersburg. Well, I think you can have fun without them. The main thing is not to get carried away. Virtual travel is very addictive. You won’t even notice how you will lose several hours of your time in search of something new and interesting. In general, go ahead to GoogleMaps.
Time Square in New York (Times Square) - the main crossroads of the world Don't forget to write in the comments about your impressions. See you again!
Google Maps is a leader among modern mapping services that provide satellite interactive maps online. At least a leader in the field of satellite imagery and in the number of various additional services and tools (Google Earth, Google Mars, various weather and transport services, one of the most powerful APIs).
In the field of schematic maps, at some point, this leadership “was lost” in favor of Open Street Maps - a unique mapping service in the spirit of Wikipedia, where every volunteer can contribute data to the site.
However, despite this, the popularity of Google Maps remains perhaps one of the highest of all other mapping services. Part of the reason is that Google Maps is where we can find the most detailed satellite photos for the largest regions of any country. Even in Russia such a large and successful company as Yandex cannot surpass the quality and coverage of satellite photographs, at least in its own country.
With Google Maps, anyone can view satellite photos of the Earth for free almost anywhere in the world.
Image quality
The highest resolution images are usually available for the largest cities in the world in America, Europe, Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Asia, Oceania. Currently, high-quality images are available for cities with a population of more than 1 million inhabitants. For smaller cities and other populated areas, satellite imagery is only available in limited resolution.
Possibilities
Google Maps or “Google Maps” was a real discovery for Internet users and indeed all PC users, giving an unheard of and previously unseen opportunity to look at their home, their village, cottage, lake or river where they vacationed in the summer - from a satellite. To see it from above, from a perspective from which it would be impossible to see it under any other circumstances. The discovery, the very idea of giving people easy access to satellite photos, fits harmoniously into Google's overall vision of “easily providing everyone with access to any information on the planet.”
Google Maps allows you to see from a satellite simultaneously those things and objects that cannot be observed at the same time when observed from the ground. Satellite maps differ from ordinary maps in that on simple maps the colors and natural forms of natural objects are distorted by editorial processing for further publication. However, satellite photographs preserve all the naturalness of nature and the objects being photographed, natural colors, shapes of lakes, rivers, fields and forests.
Looking at the map, one can only guess what is there: a forest, a field or a swamp, while on satellite photography it is immediately clear: objects, usually round or oval in shape, with a unique swamp color, are swamps. The light green spots or areas in the photograph are fields, and the dark green ones are forests. With enough experience in orientation in Google Maps, you can even distinguish whether it is a coniferous forest or a mixed forest: coniferous has a browner tint. Also on the map you can distinguish specific broken lines piercing the forests and fields of the vast Russian expanses - these are railways. Only by looking from a satellite can one understand that railways have a much greater influence on the natural landscape surrounding them than roads. Also in Google Maps, it is possible to overlay maps with the names of regions, roads, settlements on a national scale and the names of streets, house numbers, metro stations on a city scale on a satellite image of an area or city.
Map mode and satellite view mode
In addition to satellite images, it is possible to switch to the “map” mode, in which it is possible to view any territory on the surface of the Earth and study in detail the layout and location of houses of any more or less large city. In the "map" mode it is especially convenient to plan your movements around the city if you have already seen enough satellite views of your city.
The search function by house number will easily point you to the desired house, giving you the opportunity to “look around” the area around this house and how you can drive up/approach it. To search for the required object, just type in Russian in the search bar a query like: “City, street, house number” and the site will display to you the location of the object you are looking for using a special marker.
How to use Google Maps
To begin, open some place.
To move around the map, left-click on the map and drag it in any order. To return to the original position, press the centering button located between the four direction buttons.
To enlarge the map, click on the button "+" or roll the mouse roller when the cursor is over the map. You can also enlarge the map double click mouse in the location you are interested in.
To switch between satellite, mixed (hybrid) and map views, use the corresponding buttons in the upper right corner of the map: Map / Satellite / Hybrid.
Google Maps and Google Earth are the most famous and popular mapping services in the world. They open the world to tens and hundreds of millions of people, making it more understandable and relatable. And now such maps will become more realistic - Google Corporation announced the transition Google Maps V three-dimensional format.
For many years now, the Google Street View online service has allowed us to see in three dimensions all the most interesting places world - city streets, the White House in Washington, the Mariana Trench in the Pacific Ocean.
But Google recently announced an innovation that this mapping service will be equipped with. Thanks to this innovation, it will be possible to see in three dimensions not only the streets of cities, but also these cities themselves as a whole.
This will happen thanks to the combination of satellite images, aerial photography and photographs from ground level. All these frames will be rendered in such a way that a complete 3D model of cities and buildings on their streets will be obtained.
Google promises that by the end of this year its 3D models will be in Google service More or less everyone will get Maps big cities world, with a total population of more than 300 million people. The main cities of Europe, America and Asia are already available in 3D format.
According to representatives of Google Corporation, their main goal in creating a three-dimensional service in Google Maps was the desire to provide users with the opportunity to look at the world from a bird's eye view. After all, every person dreamed of flying above the streets, and now this eternal dream of man is coming true. Albeit in virtual mode.
Hello, dear readers of the blog site. I recently wrote about and how you can use them on your website. Now it’s the turn of a similar service from another major player in this market - Google Maps. These two products compete in RuNet, but in the world the undisputed leader is Google.
In addition, they are now transitioning to the new kind maps, where many things have become more understandable and convenient, and it has also become possible to use the capabilities of Google Earth (once it was a separate application for a computer) without installing additional plug-ins in the browser.
In this article, we will also look at ways to insert a Google map on your website, both when using the old interface and when using the new one. Moreover, this is done quite simply, although the capabilities of the API, as in the case of Yandex, will provide the developer with almost limitless possibilities.
Features of Google maps and how to connect the new interface
The Google Maps service itself appeared in 2005. Almost at the same time, the company acquired a program with similar functionality, which a little later received the name Google Earth. From online versions it was distinguished by the ability to display the landscape of the area and the buildings of some cities in 3D.
To render such graphics, it was necessary to use additional computer hardware capabilities. Subsequently, it became possible to obtain the same effect in the online version of the maps, but this required installing a browser plugin. In the new Maps versions this feature is integrated into the online version by default and is activated automatically if your computer complies minimum requirements in terms of performance and an acceptable browser is installed. But first things first.
Just like in Yandex, you can add your organization to Google map and build the optimal route (by car, public transport, by plane, on foot or by bicycle). Not all places on our vast planet will be able to use all these methods, but still.
In the new interface, it will be enough to enter the starting point in the search line, and to select the second point, use "How to get there".
By the way, about the new Google Maps interface. It is still being tested (it is possible that by the time you read this publication, it will have already ended) and if the browser you are using supports all the features of the new product, then you will be offered to try it out.
How to add your business to Google Maps
The main type of Google maps lives at maps.google.ru. You will also be asked add your company details :
Be sure to take advantage of this opportunity, because despite the fact that users type the bulk of commercial requests in Yandex, its bourgeois analogue should not be discounted and skimped on the various opportunities for attracting traffic from it.
In general, all you need to do is check the consent box and click the “Continue” button:
Just in case, you will be asked to search for your company in the Google database, after which you can safely click on “This is not my company. Create a new entry."
After which you will be asked to fill out a form, i.e. enter data about your organization and add it to the Google Maps database so that this information is shown to users who are to some extent interested in receiving this information. In general, this action will not be superfluous.
If for some reason you have not yet been offered take advantage new version Google Maps, then invite yourself by following this link - google.com/maps/preview/.
As I understand, the new Google maps may not yet work in all browsers and not on all devices. However, they feel great in Chrome on a desktop computer, and I use this option because, in my opinion, it is much more usable.
If the new Google maps of the future are not to your taste, then return to classic and the familiar interface you can by clicking on the question mark located in the lower right corner and selecting the lowest item:
3D Google Earth objects on Google online maps
And, of course, about 3d Google Earth integrated into the online version is worth mentioning. You can switch to this viewing mode by clicking on the square with the inscription “Earth” in the lower left corner:
After you do this, the toolbar will change its purpose somewhat and will look something like this (a compass will appear and the ability to change the angle at which you can view the map):
It will be possible to look at satellite images not only from above, but also from the side, discretely changing the angle of inclination. Well, what am I telling you - you’ve probably played with Google Earth yourself and understand what’s what:
By default, your computer may have so-called simplified mode enabled when 3D Earth model and other 3D objects are not available. The opposite situation is also possible, when new mode with Google Earth support will work too slowly on your hardware and you will want to switch to the simplified version.
No problem, just use the links:
If you are still using classic map view, then Google Earth option you can select by moving the mouse cursor in the upper right corner to the square labeled “Satellite”, and then clicking on the “Earth” square that appears.
If you have not installed the browser plugin yet, you will be prompted to do so.
Well, in fact, you will eventually get the functionality of Google Earth in your browser.
But this functionality is, by and large, the only difference between Google maps and others. Everything else is available from competitors, but it’s up to you to decide who it works better for. For example, the same routing works more or less acceptably in Yandex on the territory of the former Soviet Union, but outside it everything is not so great.
Traffic, Street View and Google Maps Directions
By the way, Google Maps also has the ability to show road conditions, i.e. traffic jams. On the classic online version, the layer with traffic jams can be connected in the upper right corner:
There you can also connect a layer with photographs to be able to view pictures taken at the place you are interested in. IN new interface for layer maps with photos there is no such thing, but they are always present at the bottom under the search bar or open at the bottom of the window using the corresponding arrows:
On the new Google Maps, the traffic layer is activated in the area below the search bar:
Its legend (color differentiation) will be shown at the bottom of the window that drops out of the search bar. You can also see it there traffic forecast on Google maps for the day and time you need:
Function route planning in the classic interface is available from the right column after clicking the corresponding button:
In general, everything you need is there. You set the starting and ending point of the route, and you get several travel options, which can be different when choosing a method of transportation: car, public transport or your own feet.
In the new Google Maps interface, everything looks more concise, it seems to me. The starting point is taken to be the one you are viewing now, and to enter the final point, just click on the “How to get there” button located at the bottom of the search line:
As a result, Google will display several routes on the map (the main one is shown as a blue line, and alternative ones as a gray line), the travel time for which will be calculated taking into account the current road situation (traffic jams):
Again, the optimal route can be calculated for traveling by car, walking or traveling by public transport. For some countries, calculations for cycling or flying will still be available. In general, everything is adult.
You can show or hide traffic jams on the route, add some exceptions hidden under the “Parameters” spoiler, and also get a text description of the constructed route using the “Step by Step” link.
And finally, the crazy option of any modern online maps — street view(in Yandex this was called panoramas). In Google Maps, it is activated in a rather original way - you will need to drag the yellow man (in classic version he lives in the upper left corner, and in the new one - in the opposite lower corner) to where you want to see the surroundings with your own eyes.
There are a lot of options for using this option - from a banal virtual study of a future route, to a virtual trip to a place where you have never been or where you have been, but want to refresh your memories or get nostalgic. In Google, this opportunity is even more wonderful, because the whole world opens up before you, and not just the large cities of Russia, as was the case in Yandex.
In general, we throw the little man in the right place and see street panorama in this place. You can zoom in and out, move forward, look in all directions, up and down using the mouse or the arrow keys on the keyboard.
It is clear that you are all accustomed to this, but if you think about it, it becomes clear all the tremendous work that was done by the employees of the Google maps department to implement complete coverage of the entire globe (well, not all, but a significant part of it). There is even the option of traveling inside buildings, such as hotels, as shown in this video:
To do this, cars with precise geopositioning systems and a number of cameras drove around cities and villages, which then made it possible to assemble a panorama from the photographs taken. People with equipment carried on their backs worked in hard-to-reach places. Faces and license plates included in the photo are deliberately blurred to avoid unnecessary excesses.
How to get a Google map for your website
With Google Maps, the situation is approximately the same - in order to insert a driving map on your website, you don’t need much intelligence, but only a specialist can do more complex ones, or an extension (plugin) for the engine you use (CMS) will help you with this.
As a result, a window will open where on the second tab "Code" you can choose the size of the window in which your map will be inserted (you can change it later, in the code, replacing the numbers in the width="" height="" attributes of the iframe tag).
It will turn out something like this (the diagram is clickable - the mouse and buttons on the keyboard react to your passes):
However, this is not exactly what we need. There is no way to draw a route manually, put markers with captions, or highlight the necessary objects. In fact, everything described can be done, but for this we will need a special tool. It's called Google Maps Engine Lite .
Selecting an option "Create new map» , you will have at your disposal a constructor with tools already familiar to Yandex - adding marks, drawing lines and routes.
To begin with, for example, put a mark where your office is located (give it a name, description and indicate the site URL). Then click on it with the left mouse button and select the route icon. A field will open on the left where you will need to enter a starting point (for example, the nearest metro station), after which Google will provide a route to your office.
If you wish, you can draw a line around the office building and close it to highlight it in the background color (you can also add a name, description and website for this object). As a result, in the Google Maps Engine Lite editor, this whole mess will look something like this:
Select "Public on the Internet" and save your changes.
Click "Ready" in the previous window. After this, click on the folder icon in the upper left corner of Google Maps Engine Lite and select "Add to site":
Actually, that's all. Copy the code, if necessary, adjust the dimensions of the Google map window in width and height (the width="" height="" attributes of the iframe tag) and paste the code directly into any page of your site (the frames should not be cut by the visual editor you use).
How to create a map in the classic interface and add it to the site
In the classic Google Maps interface You can go to the “My places” tab and click on the “Create map” button. As a result, you will be taken to the already familiar Google Maps Engine Lite window. But we have already discussed this a little higher and therefore is not of interest.
However, you can also click on the link "Classic interface", where you will again have extensive opportunities to create a driving map for your website. In the upper left area there are tools for applying your markings to the Google map.
You can put tags of different colors:
You can highlight knowledge by drawing polygons and get directions from the nearest metro using the Draw Line Along Roads tool. For each markup element you create, you can add a title and description.
The same can be done for the card itself, after which you will need to select “ Open access" and press the button "Ready".
After saving, select the created map and click on the “Link” icon at the top left and select the option shown in the screenshot "Setup and Preview":
In the window that opens, you can set the width and height of the diagram, and using the mouse or buttons located in the preview area, you can position the objects you added (by changing the scale of the map and moving it), and you can also click on the label so that the name you specified and description in a pop-up window.
That's all, you copy the code and paste it into the site (the iframe tag is usually not cut by visual editors and there should be no problems with pasting). The issue of insertion is reflected in more detail in the article about Yandex maps mentioned at the beginning. The result should look something like this:
Second part of the code:
View directions on the map bigger size
I removed the extra link as unnecessary. Well, somewhere like that. If these features are not enough for you, then you are welcome to the Google Maps API for developers. Javascript programming skills are required.
Although you can still try to search plugins for your engine(WordPress, Joomla), which can offer you their own map constructor based on the mentioned API. As a result, you can get something original and then inserting the resulting map into the site will not be difficult at all - the plugin will do it for you. If you have something in mind, I will be glad to add your information to the article. Thank you in advance.
Good luck to you! See you soon on the pages of the blog site
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