Chapter 19. Using Google Map Mashups

One of the coolest things about Google Maps is that Google has made the map API public. This means that anyone can create his or her own custom Google map, overlaid with his or her own personal data, and post it on his or her own website. This overlaying of third-party data points on a Google map is called a Google map mashup, and there are literally thousands of them on the Web today.

We'll learn more about making your own mashups in Chapter 41 "Creating Google Map Mashups.", But you don't have to be a programmer to enjoy the wide variety of information and entertainment available from other people's mashups. Read on to discover just a small part of the public mashups available for your viewing pleasure.