Jeremy Gutsche — March 12, 2007 — Pop Culture
References: maps.google & neatorama
By changing a few numbers in the Google Maps URL, you can unlock a super close zoom option! Only a few areas have been mapped for super close zoom, but in those areas you can identify the little people, see animals, etc. Many of the super close maps are from a National Geographic photo mapping expedition, while others are super close zooms of large cities. I guess this is an interesting preview of our Big Brother future…
In order to unlock the super close zoom, you need to do the following:
1. Using the satelite view, find a location that might be mapped with a lot of detail.
2. Zoom in all the way
3. Click “link to this pageâ€, which is at the top right
4. Replace the number after the “z†parameter in the URL. The higher the number, the closer the zoom. Most of the super close zoom areas are mapped between 20 and 23.
Here are a couple different examples:
- A Beach
- A Pool in Las Vegas
- The Luxor, Las Vegas
- A Dolphin in Las Vegas
- A Market in Africa
- A Seal Colony + LOTS of Animal Maps
- Foo Camp in California
- A Missile Mid Flight
In order to unlock the super close zoom, you need to do the following:
1. Using the satelite view, find a location that might be mapped with a lot of detail.
2. Zoom in all the way
3. Click “link to this pageâ€, which is at the top right
4. Replace the number after the “z†parameter in the URL. The higher the number, the closer the zoom. Most of the super close zoom areas are mapped between 20 and 23.
Here are a couple different examples:
- A Beach
- A Pool in Las Vegas
- The Luxor, Las Vegas
- A Dolphin in Las Vegas
- A Market in Africa
- A Seal Colony + LOTS of Animal Maps
- Foo Camp in California
- A Missile Mid Flight
Trend Themes
1. Super Close Zoom - Unlocking a super close zoom feature on Google Maps can provide detailed views of specific locations, presenting opportunities for enhanced exploration and navigation experiences.
2. National Geographic Photo Mapping Expedition - Super close zoom areas on Google Maps are predominantly sourced from a National Geographic photo mapping expedition, suggesting potential collaborations between mapping technology and media companies to further enhance mapping experiences.
3. Big Brother Future - The availability of super close zoom on Google Maps raises questions about privacy and surveillance, highlighting the need for innovative solutions to address these concerns.
Industry Implications
1. Location-based Services - Super close zoom on Google Maps opens up opportunities for location-based service providers to offer more precise and detailed information to users, enhancing their overall experience.
2. Tourism and Travel - The ability to access super close zoom on Google Maps can revolutionize the tourism and travel industry by allowing travelers to explore destinations remotely before visiting, improving their itinerary planning and decision-making processes.
3. Geospatial Technology - The integration of super close zoom features into mapping platforms offers exciting opportunities for geospatial technology companies to develop innovative applications for industries such as urban planning, disaster management, and transportation.
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