Google Releases the YouTube of Google Maps

Google has today launched the Google Maps Gallery. The gallery is a showcase of maps created by organisations using the Google Maps Engine. The new gallery highlights maps by organisations such as National Geographic, the David Rumsey Map Collection, USGS and NASA.

Maps in the gallery can be viewed full screen, rated by users and even include the code so that they can be embedded in other websites - think YouTube for maps. The collection released today includes some great maps. Some of my favorites are:

• a great collection of planetary maps by the SETI Institute
• historical maps from the David Rumsey Map Collection
• a great collection from USGS
• some great historical maps of the UK from the National Library of Scotland