The Philatelists Google Map

Mail to Foreign Destinations

One of the best things about the Google Maps API is that it is so simple to use. It is not only used by professional web designers but by anyone who has something they wish to map. This Google Map is a perfect example of how individuals can use Google Maps to enhance their own interests and hobbies.

This stamp collector's Google Map shows the locations that all the U.S. Second Bureau stamps in his collection were sent to.

The Second Bureau stamps were in use from 1902 to 1910. The map was created to show all the locations around the world that the stamps were sent to. If you click on the red map markers you can view an image of the letter or postcard sent to the indicated location.

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Replay the Egyptian Protests

HyperCities Egypt

You may be getting a little bored of Twitter and Google Maps mashups that display real-time reactions to the developing political situation in Egypt but this new map from UCLA offers something new.

Like other Twitter maps HyperCities allows you to view the latest Tweets from Egypt on a Google Map. However this application also allows you to go back in time and view a stream of Twitter messages from Egypt for any day since the beginning of February. It is also possible to search the archived Tweets for any keyword.

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Iran Protests on Google Maps

Twitter Dots

Twitter Dots is a nice stylised Google Map that shows Twitter messages around the world. Each day a new keyword is used to display on the map. Today the map is showing Tweets that mention 'Iran'.

The map shows the worldwide distribution of Tweets mentioning the keyword of the day. You can click on any of the Twtter Dots displayed on the map to read the Tweet displayed.

The Twitter Dots blog has also done a little analysis of some of the data produced by the maps. This analysis includes a video looking at the distribution of Tweets mentioning 'good morning' over 24 hours and another video displaying the distribution of tweets mentioning Mubarak on Feb 10th.

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The Rise of Graffiti on Google Maps

Red Bull Street View Art

Red Bull are using Google Maps and Google Street View to present a crowd-sourced map of street art from around the world.

Using the map you can search for graffiti directly from the map and click on the map markers to view a Street View image of the art. The site includes quick links to the 'most viewed' and the 'latest additions' to the map. There are also quick links to works by popular graffiti artists such as Banksy and Keith Haring.

Adding your own finds to the map is very easy. It just involves finding the right location on the map and dragging the Street View to grab the best shot of the street art that you wish to submit.

Graffiti Maps From the Archives

• StreetArtLocator - user contributed map of street art
• South Central LA Graffiti Map - graffiti in South Central, LA
• Graff Map - map of graffiti locations around the world

Via: Street View Funny

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Daeth and Taxes on Google Maps

Ya Puedes Pagar tu Predial

The Municipal de Mazatlán in México have used Google Maps to show all the locations where citizens can pay their property tax.

Users of the map can select from a list of the locations that will accept property tax payments and then view the location on a Google Map and in Street View. The full address of each listing is also displayed beside the map.

Citizens of Mazatlán may not like paying their taxes but I think they will appreciate the usability and design of this Google Map.

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Comparing Crime with Google Maps

Crime Maps

The Guardian have teamed up with SpatialKey to create a great Google Maps application that allows you to compare crime statistics in two different UK locations or compare two different crime statistics at the same location.

The application places two Google Maps side by side. You can enter two different locations and compare December's crime statistics as a heat map at each location. You can select from a number of crime categories and can even compare the statistics for two different categories at the same location.

The crime is displayed in the form of a heat map. If you roll-over either map the total crime at the specific location is shown in figures. If you click on the map an information window opens displaying the designated location from which the crime statistics were collected.

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Real-Time Egyptian Tweets on Google Maps

Egypt in Tweets

This great application for viewing Tweets related to the Egyptian protests was released at the height of the crisis at the beginning of last week. Unfortunately, I spent last week incommunicado (I had a great week skiing in the French Alps, thanks for asking) so I'm posting this a little late. However now that Mubarak has resigned it is a great resource for keeping up-to-date with the emerging new political forces and new government.

The application shows geo-coded Tweets related to Egypt on a Google Map. The Tweets are colour-coded by hashtag, for example #tahrir, #cairo and #freedom. The latest Tweets are also streamed across the bottom of the map, which means you can read the latest news from the Twittersphere in real-time directly from the map.

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Christchurch Buses on Google Maps

MetroMate

Now you never need to miss a bus in Christchurch again. Merging the official Christchurch bus stops and routes with Google Maps this application provides an invaluable tool for commuters.

Using the application you can view all the bus routes and bus stops on a handy Google Map. Place name searching allows hard-to-find bus stops and other places of interest to be tracked down easily. The application even provides a Street View of each bus stop on the map.

To find a bus, stop, eta or timetable, either enter a street / shop in the search box in the top left white box or zoom in on the map. Click on the icons to display the next bus's arrival times plus timetables. Favourite bus stops can even be stored for quick easy access next time you visit the site.

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A Google Map for Pilots

Skychatter

Skychatter is a Google Maps mashup for pilots and the aviation community. It shows a map of all FAA-registered US airports and includes reviews, technical data and weather information for each airport.

On Skychatter, pilots can easily surf the map for airports. All airports large, small, grass strips, sea-plane ports etc are listed. While scanning the map you can select an individual airport and quickly see its actual airport runway layout with a pop-up satellite view. You can also check the current weather there and you can read reviews of the airport written by other pilots.

If you are a pilot wanting to explore and fly to new airports, anecdotal information is very valuable and is often hard to find. Skychatter makes it easy to find and share such anecdotes via airport reviews.

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A Personal Travel Agent with Google Maps

YourTour

YourTour aims to be your personal digital travel agent by helping you create personalised travel itineraries in France, Spain and Florida, in just 15 seconds!

After answering a few basic questions about your trip (like when and where you want to go), you will receive a recommended tour proposal. The proposal includes a detailed itinerary of tourist attractions and hotel accommodations, all displayed on Google Maps.

You can specify your preferences (budget, activity types, specific attractions or hotels, etc.) and receive an updated, more personalised tour proposal. Once you are happy with your tour you can even book all of the hotels in a single click.

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