Google Map Maker is a Google Maps service that allows users to add or edit features, such as roads, businesses, parks, schools and more. It is a classic Web 2.0 methodology to map the regions of the world that are not already covered by the Google Maps and we kind of like it.
The timelapse video below illustrates Madurai, India being mapped:
Only certain regions of the world are available to edit/map, for obvious reaons, a complete list of areas can be found on the Map Maker site.
The next video details Nicosia, Cyprus:
Google explains the concept of Map Maker below:
Its quick, easy, moderated and provides a publicly viewable basemap in areas where mapping maybe limited. If you are logging in from a part of the world not covered by Google Maps then Google Map Maker is well worth a look…
I like this this sort of work but its a shame that Google owns the maps once they have been created by the people.
I like this this sort of work but its a shame that Google owns the maps once they have been created by the people.
This seems to be Google’s answer to OpenStreetMap. If you’re going to contribute to community mapping it would be better to add to OSM where the community owns the map rather than Google?
OSM has come an impressively long way just with user content.