Satellite and Hybrid Maps

Satellite maps display detailed, up-to-date views of most urban areas in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Depending on security issues, you may be able to use satellite maps to view parts of:
  • Egypt
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Japan
  • Russia.
Blurred sections of maps indicated government-restricted areas or those areas otherwise un-drivable.
 
 
Along with viewing geography, you can also use satellite maps to get driving directions and find the locations of key attractions, including gas stations, restaurants and hotels.
 
Hybrid Maps Defined
Hybrid maps are maps that include detailed information, including highlights of key streets and transportation routes, on a satellite view of a specific area. On hybrid maps, street names and key information are featured on top of satellite images. These hybrid maps offer the usability of a conventional map with the added benefit of seeing the texture and landscape provided by the view of a satellite map.

Conventional versus Satellite Maps

In contrast to traditional maps, satellite maps have the additional advantage of displaying high-resolution images that feature:
  • houses and buildings
  • parks
  • terrain detail.
They can show a neighborhood's aerial view down to its last detail, even displaying non-stationary objects, such as cars and other vehicles that may have been parked on the street at the time the image was taken.
 
Satellite maps are also available in various forms, depending on the features you are looking to highlight. Unlike a conventional map that shows either only terrain or streets, satellite maps allow the user to see the same area in different views or formats.
 
Some of these views include:
  • 360° views of some streets
  • street views that show streets at their ground levels
  • terrain views that show the geographical map
  • the satellite image alone (without features mapped on)
  • traditional maps that show streets and their relationship with one another, along with some key locations or landmarks.

Where Satellite Maps Can Be Found

The most popular site to find free satellite maps is Google Maps, a free application that includes route-planners, hybrid maps and urban business locators. Google has satellite maps that use high-resolution images with zooming capabilities.
 
Google satellite maps are the easiest to use and, because it is free for all users, no Web site has been able to offer a comparable service. You can access maps by entering the name of a city or an address into the Google homepage search bar. The search will yield the map as the primary result. From there, the maps can be accessed, changed into a satellite map or viewed as hybrid maps.
 
Google Maps is a wonderful tool for viewing satellite images of your city or remote locations. The next time you need to get somewhere or find an address, start with Google Maps and use their satellite maps to find what you need. If you are looking for specific details, search for a hybrid map to find exactly what you need!
 
Resource
 
Google (n.d.). Google Maps. Retrieved on March 25, 2008, from the Google.com Web site.