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Using Google Maps
The growth of internet mapping programs, like Google Maps, has opened up
numerous opportunities for users to determine the location of places near and far, get
driving directions, examine land cover and topography, create personalized maps, and do
basic geographic analysis.
The Center for Community GIS prepared this help document to introduce users to
some of the core functionalities and optional tools that can be tapped using Google Maps.
I.
Creating a Google Account
1.) How to Create an Account
2.) Uses of the Account
II.
Navigating Google Maps
1.) Search Options
2.) Directional Keys / Zooming In & Out
III.
Changing Map Views
1.) Map, Satellite, & Terrain Views
2.) Interactive Views
IV.
Different Functions
1.) Getting Directions
2.) Creating New Maps
3.) Editing Map Features
4.) Importing Google Earth Files
V.
Using the My Maps Directory
1.) Browse the Directory
2.) Distance Measurement, Position Finder, & Area Calculator
VI.
Exporting & Printing Your Maps
1.) Collaborating
2.) Printing, Sending, & Copying Links to Your Maps
3.) Viewing Your Map in Google Earth
4.) Saving Your Map as a KML (Google Earth) File
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I.) Creating a Google Account
1.) How to Create an Account
In order to use Google Maps to its full capability, you first want to create a Google
Account. To do so, open your web browser and go to the Google homepage
(http://www.google.com). Click the sign-in link in the top right hand corner of your page.
This will open up the page to sign-in to Google Accounts. Directly below the sign-in
screen is a link to Create Your Own Account. After entering the necessary information,
Google will automatically create your own account. Your account name will be used to
sign-in to various Google programs, and also act as the name for a Google email (Gmail)
account.
2.) Uses of the Account
Your Google Account can be used to access and use multiple programs owned by
Google, including Google Maps. Other examples of the account’s use are:
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Creating a customizable Google page (http://www.igoogle.com).
Using their free email service, Gmail (http://www.mail.google.com).
Creating a blog account at http://www.blogger.com.
Using and customizing your own personal calendar
(http://calendar.google.com), which is accessed through Gmail.
Besides the calendar, Gmail also offers a program called Google Docs
(http://docs.google.com) where you can store and share Microsoft
Word and Excel files.
Downloading and using Google Talk (http://talk.google.com), an
instant messaging program that saves your chat history in your email,
allows you to share files, and make PC to PC voice calls.
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II. Navigating Google Maps
1.) Search Options
After your account is created, open your browser to the Google Maps homepage. Once
there, the map will automatically default to a map of the contiguous United States.
In order to see the map of your area of interest, you need to search Google Maps similar
to how you conduct searches on the regular Google homepage. In the Search Maps
dialogue box, type in the location you would like to see (i.e. Boston, Massachusetts).
Locations can be as specific as individual street addresses, such as 151 Merrimac St.
Boston, Massachusetts. When entering in state names, Google Maps recognizes either
the full state name (Massachusetts) or the two-letter postal abbreviation (MA). This also
applies for provinces in other countries, such as Canada and Australia.
Below the Search Map dialogue box is a set of three tabs that can be used to modify your
search. These tabs are Search the Map, Find Businesses, and Get Directions. Google
Maps automatically defaults to Search the Map.
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An additional link next to the Search Maps button, called Show Search Options, provides
more options to further modify your searches.
Google will automatically save and remember your searches, unless you clear them or set
it specifically to not save. This is done by clicking the downwards gray arrow next to the
Search Maps button.
2.) Directional Keys / Zooming In & Out
Once you have entered in your desired location, you can move around Google maps by
clicking on the directional arrows in the top right corner of the map screen.
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Unlike Google Earth, Google Maps only allows you to navigate the map database in a 2Dimensional frame. Below the directional arrows is a scale bar, which allows you to
zoom in and out of the map.
In addition to the directional arrows and zoom key, Google Maps also allows you to pan
across the maps using your mouse. Simply position your mouse over the map, left-click
and drag in the direction of your choice. The mouse arrow will turn into a hand, the
universal pan symbol, when doing this.
III. Changing Map Views
1.) Map, Satellite, & Terrain Views
One of Google Maps great benefits is that it allows you to change your view of a certain
location. Google maps defaults to the “map” view, however it can be changed to provide
the user with Satellite Imagery and a Terrain Map of the same area.
This is done by clicking the tabs in the top right corner of the maps screen, respectively.
When in Satellite View, there is an option to show or hide street labels. This is done by
hovering your mouse over the Satellite button, and (un)checking the Show Labels box.
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The following images show Boston in all three different views:
Satellite View
(No labels)
Map View
Satellite View
(With Labels)
Terrain View
2.) Interactive Views
The More Button adds links to pictures and Wikipedia articles that are found on your
map. In Boston, examples of these would be pictures and articles about Fenway Park,
Northeastern University, and various other landmarks or areas in the city.
For selected cities across the country, Google recently added two new features to the
maps called Street View and Traffic. Clicking the Street View button allows the user to
zoom in to a street and see a real-life, panoramic view of the specified street. A small
person will appear on your map; simply click and drag them to view the street of your
choice.
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The Traffic Button provides up-to-the-minute traffic speeds of various city streets by
symbolizing the streets in different colors.
Clicking on the Change link in the live traffic will allows you to modify and customize
how the traffic is symbolized. Click the Done link to finalize your choices.
IV. Different Functions
1.) Getting Directions
Similar to MapQuest, Google Maps allows users to get directions to different locations
around the country, and even the world. What separates Google Maps from other similar
programs is that it allows you customize your directions.
In the Search Maps dialogue box, change the options from Search Map to Get Directions.
Type in the departure and arrival addresses, and Google will display a map with your
route highlighted in purple and place markers at the start and end points.
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At the top of the directions should be estimated trip miles, as well as the amount of time
the journey should take. Google also lets you modify your searches, such as getting
directions AND avoiding highways or tolls.
You can select to have your distance calculated in miles or kilometers; and your mode of
transportation as vehicle or walking. Many directions also provide pictures of locations
where you merge or turn.
Perhaps the most useful aspect of Getting Directions with Google Maps is the ability to
create directions to more than one location. At the bottom of the directions screen is an
option to add another destination. By clicking it and typing in another destination,
Google will re-calculate its estimates by giving directions to the new location from your
previous endpoint.
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2.) Creating New Maps
The most creative function of Google Maps is the My Maps tab, where users can create,
save, upload, and share personalized maps with whomever they wish.
To create a new map, click the My Maps tab, located directly below the Google Maps
logo in the top left corner. This will bring up two main options: Create New Map and
Browse the Directory. Click on the Create New Map link.
First Google asks you for the title and a brief description of your map, as well as
providing an option to have your map public or private. After completing these steps
click the Done button (don’t worry if the title or description is not exactly what you want;
Google allows you to edit any part of your map at any time).
After you have saved your map, click on the Edit button, which will replace the Done
button on your My Maps screen. You can now add and create features to your map.
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Google Maps allows you to create and customize 3 Main features: Points, Lines, and
Polygons. Each of these are displayed as buttons located in the top left corner of your
maps screen.
The balloon-looking symbol
is a point, the crooked-line
filled-in feature
is a polygon. There is also a hand button
pan across the map when editing.
is a line, and the
to allow you to
3.) Editing Map Features
Once you have clicked on the point, line, or polygon buttons, your cursor will act as your
drawing tool. For points, one click on the map will drop a point onto that location.
Lines are drawn by clicking on a location (no dragging necessary), moving your cursor to
another location, and clicking again. Double clicking ends the line segment.
Polygons are drawn the same way as lines except the endpoint must create a shape.
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Once you have created a feature, a balloon window will pop-up and ask for the title
(name) of the feature, as well as a brief description. You can also change the point
symbol by clicking on the symbol icon, which will bring up a new pop-up window with
additional symbols. Once you are done editing the feature click the OK button.
Lines and Polygons are edited the same way, except instead of changing their symbols
you can only change the colors.
Once a feature is created, right-clicking on it will bring open a new set of options, such as
Properties, Delete, Zoom to Feature, or Center Map on the Feature. There is also an
option for getting directions to or from that specific feature.
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4.) Importing Google Earth Files
Google Maps also allows for you to import files from Google Earth. Because both
programs are owned by Google, once a file is imported it already has the correct spatial
reference (latitude & longitude). This means that imported files will show up in the same
exact place as those in Google Earth.
To import a file from Google Earth, click the import link located in the My Maps screen.
This link only shows up if you are in an edit session, so first you must choose a map you
created, and then click the Edit button. The link will appear afterwards.
After clicking the import link, a new window will appear asking for either the file or a
link to the Google Earth file. All files in Google Earth are either in KML, KMZ, or
GeoRSS formats. Only these formats can be imported. Once you choose the file or link
to import, it will take a couple minutes for the computer to make the upload
You also have the option of replacing your existing map with the Google Earth files;
however you want to make absolutely sure you want to do this (it will delete all other
features of the map and cannot be undone).
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V. Using the My Maps Directory
1.) Browse the Directory
When editing features on your personal maps or the maps in Google’s database, Google
offers a variety of tools and layers that can be added to the map. These are located in
their My Maps Directory. To access this directory, click the Browse the Directory link,
located next to the Create New Map link in your My Maps screen.
This link will open a new window where you can add helpful gadgets (called Mapplets)
and map layers to Google Maps. Simply click the Add it to Maps button under the
mapplet of your choice.
You can add as many mapplets as you would like. They appear in your My Maps screen
in the section titled Created By Others. After you add the mapplet(s) of your choice to
the map, you need to click the box next to it to turn it on.
Each mapplet is different, and most of the time they are developed by
companies other than Google, or by individual Google Maps users. The
best way to figure how to use the mapplet is simple trial and error. Have
fun, and play around with it for a while before using it on your maps.
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2.) Distance Measurement, Position Finder, and Area Calculator
This section provides quick instructions for how to use three mapplets that are some of
the most commonly added mapplets by Google Maps users.
-Distance Measurement
This tool allows you to calculate distance from one point to another on Google
Maps, similar to how Google calculates distance when giving you directions. However,
it is important to note that the main difference is that this tool calculates ACTUAL
distance; it does not factor in roads and thus the traveling distance may be shorter or
longer than the actual distance.
Distance measurements allows you to create a series of points (at least two) and will
measure the distance from point to point. To place your starting point, click the place of
your choice on the map and a point balloon will appear. Click another place, and the path
will appear along with the calculated distance between the two points.
You can change the units (meters, feet, miles, etc.) used by clicking on the Metric, or
English boxes. Clicking the I’m Feeling Geeky link provides a new menu with a wide
variety of distance measurement units.
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You can add as many points as you like, and can manually move the points by leftclicking on one and dragging it to a new location.
You can also delete points by using the Delete Last Point button.
-Position Finder
This mapplet is used to click on objects, or points, of a map and receive the
latitude and longitude of that specific place; a process that cartographers call Geocoding.
Once an object is geocoded, it can be transferred from Google Maps onto Google Earth,
GPS, GIS, and any other mapmaking software.
Once you have added Position Finder to your map, click on a point or object on the map,
and a balloon will pop up with the latitude and longitude of that point. This can then be
copied and pasted into a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet to use in a GIS or other mapmaking
programs.
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There are several types of mapplets that will give you a latitude/longitude of a single
point, however Position Finder usually shows up on the first page of the directory. Other
popular mapplets that perform similar functions are Get Lat/Long and getLatLongPlus.
- Area Calculator
The Area Calculator is a mapplet used to calculate the area of a specific polygon.
To use it, turn the mapplet on and click a specific point on the map. Move your mouse
and click another point, and a polygon will begin building.
The area is calculated only in acres, so conversions must be done in an outside program.
Google does, however, offer a helpful metric conversion gadget that can be added to your
iGoogle homepage. Click this link to see and add the gadget.
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VI. Exporting and Printing Your Maps
1.) Collaborating
When editing or creating a map, you can share it with other Google users of your choice
by clicking on the Collaborate link located in the My Maps screen.
A new window will open with your options for collaborators. To invite others, simply
type in their email addresses, separated by commas, in the Invite People as Collaborators
invite box. You also have the option of allowing them to edit the map or invite others as
collaborators. Once your have customized the collaboration rules to your liking, click the
Send Invitation button for your message to be sent to the respective email addresses.
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2.) Printing, Sending, & Copying Links to Your Map
When you are finished editing your map, you have three main options of how you want
to share it with others. You can print the map and physically give it to people, you can
send them an email with the link to the map, or you can copy the link and send it through
email or instant messaging services. These 3 links are located directly above the View
buttons, and each is pretty self-explanatory.
3.) Viewing Your Map in Google Earth
You also have the option of viewing your map in Google Earth. The link for viewing in
Google Earth is located directly next to the Print link; however it will only appear if you
have your map selected, so make sure the box next to your map is checked off!
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4.) Saving Your Map as a KML (Google Earth) File
You also have the option of saving your map as a KML file (a format used for Google
Earth files). Directions to do so vary for different internet browsers. In Mozilla Firefox,
click the View in Google Earth link, and choose the Save to Disk option in the pop-up
screen.
In Internet Explorer, right click the View in Google Earth link and choose the Save
Target As option.
Other browsers will most likely have similar, but slightly different, methods for doing
this.
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August, 2008