Google launches Map Maker in Egypt
Cairo, Egypt, 7 June 2012: Google’s innovative map making service comes to Egypt. Map Maker allows users to contribute and edit map around the world. With the launch of Map Maker in Egypt, anyone who cares about maps can lend their local expertise to create more detailed views of the places they know, such as their town, school, and more. Users can locate, draw, label and provide attributes for Egyptian map features for their area.
“When you are lost in a new area, you always ask directions from the locals as they know best, said Ammar Ibrahim, Product Manager Google MENA. Google Map Maker enables Egyptians to upload this information online and contribute to a more detailed and comprehensive map for their area. Once approved, the information is available online thus allowing everyone to benefit from a more comprehensive, innovative and dynamic map. Google Map Maker turns users into citizen cartographers.”
More than 20% of searches on Google are related to location. By providing more detailed and dynamic maps, users can better navigate throughout Egypt and pick up on the nuances that only a local can provide.
Google Map Maker allows users to add many details. Users can add town details such as local coffee shops, restaurants and street directions, add details on the area surrounding historical locations like the Pyramids of Giza or the Valley of the Kings as well as detailed maps of buildings and public areas such as a detailed campus map for Cairo University with description of academic buildings, athletic facilities and walkways. This helps people best navigate the area, especially when it’s their first visit. The information is verified by the amount of similar information and a team of experts.
Before the update is uploaded and verified on Google maps, pending information is available online and users can contribute to it more or even verify the information. The system takes into consideration user contributions, identifies duplicates and detects potential spam. The final approval is made by regional experts and a small team of Google reviewers considering Egyptians submissions.
The more people participate, the higher the map accuracy. Getting accurate directions and maps in Egypt can be troublesome. This will add an extra level of details to Egyptian maps and ensure that the map is accurate and comprehensive for places that matter to individual maps users.
Google users show great enthusiasm and passion, especially when it comes to sharing local knowledge for the world to see. Users demonstrate their civic pride and more importantly their local credible expertise, that is more useful and accessible than traditional maps.
Google Map Maker was first launched in 2008 as part of a broader effort to improve the quality of map-data throughout the world. Google Map Maker is currently available in 188 countries and regions and the Map Maker contributions have been integrated into Google Maps and Earth for more than 150 countries and territories. It has provided users with local knowledge access with an easy-to-use tool to better represent the localities. In 2006, before Google Map Maker was launched only 15% of the world’s population had detailed maps where they lived. With Google Map Maker, this has more than doubled reaching over 30%.
Thanks to Google Map Makers, users will be able to get a detailed, comprehensive and verified map created by the neighborhood locals. Users can access the updated maps from Google maps, Google Earth and Google Maps mobile application. To learn more, visit http://www.google.com/mapmaker/pulse, and get started mapping today!
“When you are lost in a new area, you always ask directions from the locals as they know best, said Ammar Ibrahim, Product Manager Google MENA. Google Map Maker enables Egyptians to upload this information online and contribute to a more detailed and comprehensive map for their area. Once approved, the information is available online thus allowing everyone to benefit from a more comprehensive, innovative and dynamic map. Google Map Maker turns users into citizen cartographers.”
More than 20% of searches on Google are related to location. By providing more detailed and dynamic maps, users can better navigate throughout Egypt and pick up on the nuances that only a local can provide.
Google Map Maker allows users to add many details. Users can add town details such as local coffee shops, restaurants and street directions, add details on the area surrounding historical locations like the Pyramids of Giza or the Valley of the Kings as well as detailed maps of buildings and public areas such as a detailed campus map for Cairo University with description of academic buildings, athletic facilities and walkways. This helps people best navigate the area, especially when it’s their first visit. The information is verified by the amount of similar information and a team of experts.
Before the update is uploaded and verified on Google maps, pending information is available online and users can contribute to it more or even verify the information. The system takes into consideration user contributions, identifies duplicates and detects potential spam. The final approval is made by regional experts and a small team of Google reviewers considering Egyptians submissions.
The more people participate, the higher the map accuracy. Getting accurate directions and maps in Egypt can be troublesome. This will add an extra level of details to Egyptian maps and ensure that the map is accurate and comprehensive for places that matter to individual maps users.
Google users show great enthusiasm and passion, especially when it comes to sharing local knowledge for the world to see. Users demonstrate their civic pride and more importantly their local credible expertise, that is more useful and accessible than traditional maps.
Google Map Maker was first launched in 2008 as part of a broader effort to improve the quality of map-data throughout the world. Google Map Maker is currently available in 188 countries and regions and the Map Maker contributions have been integrated into Google Maps and Earth for more than 150 countries and territories. It has provided users with local knowledge access with an easy-to-use tool to better represent the localities. In 2006, before Google Map Maker was launched only 15% of the world’s population had detailed maps where they lived. With Google Map Maker, this has more than doubled reaching over 30%.
Thanks to Google Map Makers, users will be able to get a detailed, comprehensive and verified map created by the neighborhood locals. Users can access the updated maps from Google maps, Google Earth and Google Maps mobile application. To learn more, visit http://www.google.com/mapmaker/pulse, and get started mapping today!