Gun Ownership around the world

United States leads the world in Gun Ownership with 9 Guns for every 10 Americans followed by Yemen where 6.1 Guns are owned by every 10 Yemenis.

I have created a Google Maps View of Gun Ownership from around the world with data from "Small Arms Survey - 2007).

Diana, Princess of Wales - 10th Death Anniversary

Here's a Google Maps Tribute to Princess Diana on her 10th Death Anniversary (August 31st). A look at her Birth/Childhood, Marriage, Motherhood, Campaign Against Land Mines, Death and Funeral on Google Maps with YouTube Video.

Departures and Cancellations at major US Airports (June 2007)

Here's a Google Maps View of Departures and Cancellations at Major US Airports (June 2007) along with YouTube video of take off. (Source - TIME Magazine dated September 3rd, 2007).

Hyderabad, India hit by Terrorist Attacks

Hyderabad, India was struck by terrorist attacks which claimed more than 41 lives. The Deadly Bomb Blasts took place at an open air auditorium in Lumbini Park where families were enjoying a laser light show. The other Bomb Blast took place couple of miles away at a restaurant named "Gokul Chat". (More at CNN and BBC)

LATEST NEWS FROM HYDERABAD and other major cities in the Indian Sub-Continent

Here is a Google Maps View of both Lumbini Park and Gokul Chat restaurant.
Lumbini Park


Gokul Chat Restaurant (via Wikimapia)

World's Most Corrupt Countries

Forbes had come out with an article on "The World's Most Corrupt Countries" back in April, 2007. Here's a look at those Corrupt Countries on Google Maps. Topping the List is Haiti. Click here for Forbes Article.

Embed Google Maps in your blog or website

Google Maps can now be embedded with ease into your blog or website. From maps.google.com just click "Link to this page" in the top right-hand corner. Copy the text that you see in the second box and then paste that text into your blog editor or into the HTML of your webpage. Simple as that (via). Example follows:

Here's a Google Maps View of Shenandoah National Park Skyline Drive and then continuing on to Blue Ridge Parkway. More on Scenic Drive through Shenandoah National Park Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway check this blogpost "Fall colors: Blue Ridge Parkway".


View Larger Map

Canada's Last Igloo to be flattened

Canada's Last Igloo at Iqaluit, Canada (Google Maps View) which housed the Kamotiq Inn restaurant is to be replaced in the coming months by a 4,645 square-meter (50,000 square-foot) office building. This due to the fact that the region (just 120 miles south of Arctic Circle) is experiencing an economic boom. (more at Yahoo News)

60th Anniversary of India's Independence

Here's wishing India and Indians all around the world a happy 60th Anniversary (August 15th, 2007). On this occasion I would like to mention some of the India related Google Maps Mashups:

(Please do email me or post a comment if you know of any other India Related Mashups)

About Me
Latest News from India
Celebrities from India
Indian Matrimony
Bollywood Filmfare award history
Indian IDOL 3
Sa Re Ga Ma Pa 2007 (another singing talent competition)
Sachin Tendulkar's record breaking test centuries

Found at (GoogleMapsMania)
Find My Ghar (means find my house)
India's Top 10 Colleges
Map of Mumbai Metro Rail System

Monsoon Floods in Eastern India

Image shown below from NASA Earth Observatory was taken on August 3rd. Quote from their website:

On August 3, the Ganges, Gandak, and Kosi Rivers were so swollen that it was hard to see exactly where the rivers normally flow. The tributaries that feed the Kosi River, not even visible on June 4, have combined in a vast web of water-covered land. The light blue area under the clouds in the lower left corner of the image is probably water-soaked earth, not standing water.

According to BBC as of August 3, nearly 20 million people had been displaced in India, Bangladesh, and Nepal, and 125 had died in India.

How much Time off do you get?

If you live in Finland consider yourself lucky, you get the most number of days off (44 days) compared to other countries. Looks like folks in United States (25 days) and Canada (20 days) get the least number of days off.

Here's a look at the Time Off Policy around the World shown on Google Maps. (The numbered markers represent the number of days off for that country)


(Data Source: CNN)

Barry Bonds becomes Baseball's Home Run King

Barry Bonds breaks Hank Aaron's record of 755 Home Runs. (more at CNN)

Barry Bonds achieved this feat at AT&T Park, San Francisco on 08/07/2007. Here's a 3D Google Earth View of AT&T Park.



Click here for Google Maps View of AT&T Park, San Francisco.

Google Maps Street View now covers Orlando, Los Angeles, San Diego, Houston

Just noticed that Google Maps Street View now has coverage for Orlando, Houston, Los Angeles, San Diego. Here's a Google Maps Street View of entrance to Magic Kingdom, Orlando.

Coal Miners trapped in UTAH

6 Coal Miners were trapped in a coal mine in UTAH. The men were caught in a cave-in at the Crandall Canyon Mine before dawn Monday (8/6/2007). As of last word the rescue workers have still not been able to reach the trapped miners. (more at CNN)

Here's a Google Earth View of Crandall Canyon Mine, UTAH.


Here's a Google Maps View of Crandall Canyon Mine, Utah

Google Maps API adds geocoding support for India

Google Maps API now adds geocoding support for India. However, it does not seem accurate. Here are couple of examples:

New Delhi, IN 110001 (At Least New Delhi shows up close by) However..scroll down for Mumbai, IN 400026


Mumbai, India 400026 (This is not correct - it finds Mumbai Road outside Hyderabad, India)

New 7 Wonders of the World Mapplet

I have created a mapplet version of my New 7 Wonders of the World Google Maps Mashup. What is a mapplet though? (from Google Maps API Blog)

Mapplets are Google Gadgets that are made especially so that they can be loaded by a user on maps.google.com, and have access to the main shared map.

Click here or the image to add the New 7 Wonders of the World to "My Maps" (located at maps.google.com)

Google Maps now adds drive time during rush-hour traffic

You live in Manassas, VA and have a flight to catch from Reagan National Airport, Washington D.C. You head over to Google Maps for directions. Besides showing you the directions and approximate drive time, Google Maps now lets you know how much time it would take to reach Reagan National Airport in Current Traffic Conditions. Nice Feature! which might just help you in catching that flight in time. (via Google-LatLong Blog)

Here's a image of driving directions from Manassas, VA to Reagan National Airport, Washington D.C. taken at 6.30 AM EST which shows that a drive of 32.4 miles will take 1 hour 10 mins in current traffic conditions.

I-35W Bridge collapses into Mississippi River in Minneapolis

Google Earth View of I-35W Bridge over Mississippi River:


Interstate 35W Bridge over Mississippi River in Minneapolis collapsed this evening. Click here for Bridge Specs.

From local KARE 11 TV station in Minneapolis

The entire span of the 35W Bridge collapsed about 6:05 p.m. where the freeway crosses the river near University Avenue. Traffic in both directions was affected.

There about 100,000 cars a day traveling over this bridge according to MnDOT and it is believed there were at least 50 cars on the bridge when it collapsed.

Google Maps View of the Bridge location in Minneapolis.

America's Best Hospitals for Cancer Treatment

Here's a Google Maps View of America's Top 50 Hospitals for Cancer Treatment as mentioned in US News.