The official blog for Google Maps
Viva La Espana: 50 new Street View sights in Spain
December 5, 2014
The Iberian Peninsula has a rich and varied artistic, architectural and cultural legacy. Roman remains, Al-Andalus, Gothic splendor and 19th century Catalan modernism are just a few examples of what you might see travelling around Spain’s cities and countryside. And starting today, people all over the world will be able to explore 50 new iconic locations in Spain with Street View on Google Maps.
Peruse architectural details of the
Alhambra and Generalife
, walk around the
Tower of Hercules
(a Roman Empire-era lighthouse), and gaze up at the vast arched ceiling of the crypt at the
Church of Sagrada Familia
.
The Courtyard of the Lions at the Alhambra
Inside of the Church of the Sagrada Familia
In addition to these famed sights, you can also discover lesser-known treasures. Visit the desertlike world of the
Bardenas Reales
natural park in southeast Navarre, Neoclassic architecture at the
Congress of Deputies
and colorful stained-glass windows in the
Cathedral of León
. Or make a trip to the
small medieval town of Albarracín
, a walled lordship that has stood for centuries.
Casteldetierra, Bardenas Reales natural park
Inside the Congress of Deputies
This 360-degree imagery was collected by our
Trekker
, a backpack equipped with Street View technology that allows the wearer to capture imagery while walking. To capture details of the fine art and architecture inside these magnificent sites, we enlisted the help of the
Trolley
. And for more sprawling locations, the trusty
Trike
captured imagery while its rider pedaled.
If this collection piques your interest to see these locations in person, you’re in good company. In fact, according to the
survey on the Impact of Online Content on European Tourism
, more than half of EU travelers consult Internet sites and social media in order to get information about trips. But even if you’re not planning
un vacación
anytime soon, the wonders of Spain are now just a click away.
Published by Amita Khattri, Street View Program Manager
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.
Explore America’s most endangered river on Street View
March 13, 2014
This guest post is by Chris Williams, Senior Vice President of Conservation at
American Rivers
. We’ve partnered with American Rivers to share the adventure of the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon in Google Maps. -Ed.
For 6 million years,
the Colorado River
has flowed through the heart of the desert southwest, its waters slowly carving out a canyon so vast it can be seen from space—yet so remote it didn’t appear on early maps of the region. It wasn’t until 1869, when
John Wesley Powell
led a small exploration party on a rafting trip, that the natural wonders of the Colorado River and the Grand Canyon came fully into view.
Now with
Google Street View
, you can ride the whitewater rapids, cruise the sleepy river bends, and discover the side canyons that make the Colorado River a treasured resource.
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona, U.S.
Start at an iconic spot like
Deer Creek Falls
or
North Canyon
, or climb up to the
Nankoweap Granaries
. Geology fans will enjoy formations like
Hermit Shale
and
Tapeats Sandstone
. On your journey, look out for wildlife like
big horn sheep
and signs of a
volcanic dam
that naturally occurred centuries ago.
While you admire its grandeur, remember that the river is also at risk. One of the United States’ most important resources, the Colorado River provides drinking water for 36 million people from Denver to Los Angeles, supports a $26 billion recreation industry, and irrigates nearly 4 million acres of land that grow 15 percent of our nation’s crops. But it’s also one of the most
endangered
, dammed, diverted and plumbed rivers in the world, thanks to a century of management policies and practices that have promoted the use of Colorado River water at an unsustainable rate. By the time it reaches the Gulf of California in Mexico, the river is barely a trickle—a ghost of its once magnificent self. You can see evidence of the river’s decline In Street View, like the
high water mark
(showing 1950s driftwood on top of the rock), or
sedimentation along the river’s edge
down by Lake Mead.
Colorado River, U.S.
We’re proud to partner with Google and Street View to raise awareness of the need to protect and restore the river. It’s time to speak up and protect the wonder of the Grand Canyon and the riches of a healthy Colorado River.
Join American Rivers
and help us protect and restore this iconic river of the west—for today and for future generations.
Posted by Chris Williams, Senior Vice President of Conservation, American Rivers
Aloha from Google Street View
March 6, 2014
Longing for an island getaway? You’re not the only one. Over the last 30 days on Google.com,
search interest
in “Hawaii” has risen a staggering 78 percent.
Starting today, you can take a trip to the Aloha state and explore even more of Hawaii’s hiking trails, parks, historical sites, and beaches using Street View on Google Maps. Last summer we announced our
Trekker Loan Program
with our first partner, the
Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau (HVCB)
. Since then, HVCB has been collecting Street View imagery of many popular and special places across the islands of Hawaii (the Big Island) and Oahu.
Hawaii is famous for its spectacular sandy beaches, like
Hapunua Beach
, but this tropical island paradise has much more to offer to all the outdoor adventurers out there. Hike through a volcanic crater along the
Kilauea Iki Trail
, learn about Native Hawaiian culture at the
Pu'u Loa Petroglyphs
, and take in the diverse flora at the
Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden
.
Hapuna Beach
, Island of Hawaii
Kilauea Iki Trail
, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Island of Hawaii
Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden
, Pāpa'ikou, Island of Hawaii
Whether you want to travel across the Pacific or around the block, we hope you’ll use Street View to explore all the incredible places in the world. And if we’ve inspired you to plan your next vacation to Hawaii, you can also explore these amazing Street View Treks on
GoHawaii.com
, the official website for HVCB.
To learn more about this program and apply to be the next Trekker, visit
g.co/trekker
.
Mahalo!
Posted by Evan Rapoport, Product Manager, Google Maps and Street View
Exploring the Grand Canyon on Google Maps
January 31, 2013
Whether you’re planning an upcoming hike, or want to learn more about the Earth’s geological history, Google Maps can help. Today, we’re releasing panoramic imagery of one of the world’s most spectacular national monuments: the Grand Canyon. These beautiful, interactive images cover more than 75 miles of trails and surrounding roads, making our map of this area even more comprehensive, accurate and easy to use than ever before.
Take a walk down the narrow trails and exposed paths of the Grand Canyon: hike down the famous
Bright Angel Trail
, gaze out at the
mighty Colorado River
, and explore
scenic overlooks
in full 360-degrees. You’ll be happy you’re virtually hiking once you get to the steep inclines of the
South Kaibab Trail
. A click of your mouse or tap of your finger can also transport you to the rim of nearby
Meteor Crater
, enabling you to preview this otherworldly site.
View Larger Map
The Colorado River, one of the many impressive scenes in the Grand Canyon
This breathtaking
imagery collection
was made possible with the
Trekker
. Our team strapped on the Android-operated 40-pound backpacks carrying the 15-lens camera system and wound along the rocky terrain on foot, enduring temperature swings and a few muscle cramps along the way. Together, more than 9,500 panoramas of this masterpiece of nature are now available on Google Maps.
View Larger Map
A breathtaking 360-degree view from the famous Bright Angel Trail
So no matter where you are, you don’t have to travel far or wait for warmer weather to explore Grand Canyon National Park. Check out some of our favorite views on our
World Wonders site
where you can find more information, facts and figures about the Grand Canyon, or in the updated
Street View gallery
, and happy (virtual) hiking!
Posted by Ryan Falor, Product Manager, Google Maps
Trekking the Grand Canyon for Google Maps
October 24, 2012
In our ongoing effort to create the perfect map—one that’s as comprehensive, accurate and easy to use as possible—we’ve gone well beyond just the streets. Through the Street View feature on
Google Maps
, you’ve been able to explore panoramic views of amazing places around the world ranging from
the Swiss Alps
to
the Amazon
to
Antarctica
, and a variety of
urban cities
,
university campuses
,
ancient ruins
and
ski resorts
as well.
Today, demonstrating the rocky and rugged paths we’ll travel to make Google Maps even more complete, we’re collecting imagery from a place no
car, trike or snowmobile
has ever been before. On its first official outing, the Street View team is using the
Trekker
—a wearable backpack with a camera system on top—to traverse the Grand Canyon and capture 360-degree images of one of the most breathtaking natural landscapes on the planet.
Operations Manager Steve Silverman (left) and Product Manager Ryan Falor (right)
hiking the Bright Angel Trail on the South Rim with Trekkers
The narrow ridges and steep, exposed trails of the Grand Canyon provide the perfect terrain for our newest camera system. The Trekker—which its operator controls via an Android phone and automatically gathers photos as he walks—enables the collection of high-quality imagery from places that are only accessible on foot.
Falor controlling the Trekker with his Android device
This week, photos are being gathered from portions of the South Rim at
Grand Canyon National Park
, including the ridge, the famous
Bright Angel Trail
,
South Kaibab Trail
, and more. These panoramic views will soon be live on Google Maps, giving everyone from real-life visitors to armchair travelers the opportunity to marvel at this beautiful, majestic site from the comfort of their computers or mobile devices.
The team hiking the Bright Angel Trail
So get ready for the virtual adventure that awaits! And in the meantime, we’ll keep on trekken’ and working hard to bring you panoramic imagery of more visually stunning places we have yet to explore and share on Google Maps.
Posted by Ryan Falor, Product Manager, Google Street View
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